I’ve come to the conclusion that the travel accessory of which I have the most need is a small donkey.

This, I feel, would meet so many of my requirements that I am – quite frankly – surprised that there aren’t more of them on the market. Or at least on more street corners.

A small equine-like mammal could lug around all the accoutrements so vital to surviving in the current Texan climate. You know: a hat; a cool drink; sunscreen; travel guidebook; umpteen million bus timetables; another cool drink; a snack; digital camera; wallet; moist towelettes to help one to cool down somewhat, and a cool drink. On occasion it could even be used to carry my own person out and about. And possibly to lug a liquid refreshment of the cool persuasion. Maybe.

It is mind-blowingly hot here at the moment. The daytime temperature is around 40 degrees and there is very little humidity. Needless to say, I am busy plotting my escape to the winter in Oz. Hopefully they will have the winter that Texas did not. If they don’t, I’m going to be needing a few more cool drinks.

I’m just saying ..!

This is not the place for a person with heat intolerance problems. However I soldier on. I’ve managed to get out to a few places in the last few weeks, but have always needed several days to recover afterwards.

Last week I visited the San Antonio Zoo which is situated in an old quarry not far from the centre of town. It had a lot of hills and a lot of small children – the summer holidays have begun here.

I must say, I found it quite distressing at first. The bear exhibits seemed terribly bare (excuse the pun) and then I saw the primate cages near the Butterfly House and thought I had gone back in time. Picture a large bird cage with some monkeys in it. Horrible isn’t it?

Monkeys at the San Antonio Zoo

Those leaves are PAINTED onto the wall - there are no plants in there.

I didn’t think you could see things like this in the western world any more. I very nearly turned around to go home, but it had taken me so long to get there I thought I should persevere.

I don’t know. I’ve been spoiled by the zoos at home, I guess. Some of the newer exhibits were up to standard – they had actual vegetation in them and room for the animals to move around. Very few of them had both. It looked as though they are slowly building newer displays for the animals, but the whole experience left me feeling very unsettled.

On the bright side, I bought an ice-cream from a machine and got a one dollar coin for change!  That was exciting!  I had to ask someone if it was actual currency …

ttfn,

S