Leipzig Zoo

I can really only remember going to the zoo after my family moved back to Idaho. I thought the giraffes and lions were the bees knees and that the two hours it took for a person to walk through the whole zoo was plenty. Boy howdy was the zoo here a rude awakening! We spent four hours in there and still didn't see half of what it had to offer. It is gorgeous, with lots of lush green landscapes, cafes and playgrounds. Almost another world within the city. The highlights of my visit, I would have to say, were the orangutans and elephants. Take a look at some of the creatures we saw and choose for yourself!

 The flamingos are the very first exhibit you see when you walk through the arches. Did you know they dye their food pink so they stay that color? There is something in their natural habitat that keeps them naturally pink! Who woulda thunk?

 Isn't this girl cute? Crossing her legs while she munches on dinner.

 A baby that couldn't have been more than a year old. So cute!

 Can't remember what this guy was called and Google wasn't any help. An ocapa? Somthing like that. He has a moose and body and a zebra bum. Crazy!

 You could ride these big guys for 5 euro and I almost asked my host mom if I could do it. So cool!

 That brown-headed little boy in the corner of the frame flipped over the fence and landed face/head first in a big pile of goat do-do. All the parents (including his!) were trying to keep it together as they mended his wounded (and smelly) pride. Ha!

 Leopard print has been my favorite pattern for a while now. This pretty girl did not disappoint! She was a beauty!

 This mamma was playing games with her little baby. So cute!

 A bonobo baby. Eek!

 It was so neat to have this guy come right up to the glass and play with the kids on the other side. 

 I'd have to say the orangutans were my favorite exhibit that we saw out of the day. They were active and playful. I felt like I could turn into Jane Goodall. This sweetheart in the picture struck a pose when she saw everyone pulling out their cameras. She held this for like 5 minutes while everyone got their shot. 

 The glare on the glass makes this a cruddy picture, but this is the male of the family of orangutans. He was HUGE! His hair is all dreaded and he's quite the chunk, but that didn't stop him from playing with the younger orangutans and showing off on the rope swings in the exhibit. 

 This is a truck they've converted into a ride. You go in the back and they shut the door. There is a big projector and screen and the truck moves as you go on a 'safari'. It was neat!

 I've always found elephants to be extraordinary creatures. They are far more intelligent than we give them credit for. I could have stood here and watched them for another hour! Making a trip to Thailand and riding one of these lovelies is still on my bucket list! 

 There wasn't a sign saying what these guys were called, but we all agreed they looked pretty funny with their cooky feathers. 

I had so much fun at the zoo and can't wait to go back! 

Leipzig 360 Panorama

My host family took me to the Leipzig Panorama today! It was SO neat! I've never seen a work of art so life like. The exhibit is located in a giant, retired gas tank in the Southern part of Leipzig. It cost about 10 euro for an adult...worth every cent if you ask me! Today was the last day of this particular exhibit so I'm glad we made it in time. The art was created by Yadegar Asisi along with a team of helpers. This was no small task to undertake. Along with this work are several others including a panorama of ancient Rome, and Dresden before both world wars. I hope you enjoy the pictures...

 This statue greets guests as they walk in from the side parking lot. A little creepy, eh?

 I half expected it to offer to tell me my fortune...

 This large cylindrical building used to be a gas storage tank. It is now where the art is exhibited. 

 There are several historical artifacts from around the same time as the great war. This is a textile inventory book. Leipzig was known for it's trade in fine textiles. 

 A bone saw, ladies and gents. They did actually use this in the war. 

 A very small piece of the panorama. It's amazing how life like it is!

 The exhibit is so large that there is a 4 story scaffolding platform in the center of the room where viewers can take in the art at different levels. Along with the visual art there were sound effects like music, people, hustle and bustle, cannons firing,  and birds chirping. The lighting was timed so that every few minutes it would become night and the lights would go low. They would slowly become brighter as the 'morning' came. 

 'nighttime' 

 This 'shrine' I guess you could call it was a part of the same artist's display of a similar panorama of Mount Everest. It was blessed by Buddhist monks and so the artist didn't want to move it even after the Everest exhibit was over.  

Our last stop of the day was the 'Everything Store'. A favorite of my host family. Not many things are open on holidays or the weekends. This shop is something that is open and it has 'everything' anyone could ever possibly need. It's a tiny shop but there really is everything you'd ever need. It was awesome! We got some ice cream before heading home. 

Click here for some video of the exhibit.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy the rest of your weekend! xo

Sister Missionaries

 I really love being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints. One reason being that, no matter where you go in the world, the way we do things is the same. While some of you may think of that as a tad boring, I find great comfort in it, especially being half way across the world and away from everything that I've ever known. Something else I really love are the missionaries. Young adults and Senior couples may choose to formally serve the Lord in the form of a mission. I've had the privilege to meet and spend time with several sister missionaries over the few months that I've been here. What a great comfort and help they have been! They have tirelessly and graciously served as temporary translators, loyal friends and teachers. I am so glad I had the opportunity to get to know theses lovely ladies and can't wait to see what life has in store for them next.

 (L-R: Sister Grant, Sister Jardine, Moi and my good friend, Eli, who's recently returned from a mission as well)

Me, Sister Jardine and Sister Jensen--These girls helped me in more ways than they'll ever know! Love them!