"You guys are a bunch of jackasses" --10 year old bully
It's the holiday season in Suriname and the greater majority of volunteers are in the city, Paramaribo, for the holidays either getting ready to go back to America for Christmas or getting ready for the big New Year's Eve party that will grace the streets of Paramaribo and is rumored to rival the fireworks display along the 880 in Oakland--I'll believe it when I see it. But before we bid adeui to some of our fellow volunteers bound for the greater 50 States, particularly those headed for the granite state which is home of the purple finch--yes I'm talking about the fair state of New Hampshire, we are up to no good in the city.
Yesterday, four of us--Ian, Cameron, James the Suriname Ambassador for New Hampshire, and myself, went to the zoo. For those not picking up on the New Hampshire jokes, there are four volunteers from New Hampshire in Peace Corps Suriname which is a disproportionate 10% of our American volunteer population here. They swear it is the most wicked best place ever and James has convinced at least half the volunteers to move there after service.
After another morning of banana pancakes at Ian's house, Cameron convinced us to go to the zoo. He had been there the day before, by himself, and convinced Ian, James and I--it's not a tall feat to convince us by any means, that we needed to explore this magical place. After paying 5 SRD, about a 1.75 USD equivalent, we gained admission into the zoo and were eager to begin our adventure. We quickly spotted the monkeys.
We also spotted an oversized Goodyear tire and thought it would be appropriate to do hand stands on it. What else would you use a big tire like this for? 
After the tire swing we decided to head to the petting zoo portion where we petted a donkey and James gave a cow a kiss. 
Earlier, we had looked into the anaconda display and had not been able to see it. While at the petting zoo, we noticed it was hiding on the backside of its display. It was a big one (that's what she said). 
After the petting zoo, we decided to make our first of three appearances at the playground. The animals could wait for a sweet tire zip line. Unfortunately this is where we met the 10-year old heckler, he picked on us the rest of the day. Here is Cameron ready to go down the zip-line. 
And here's me upside-down on the monkey bars. 
Then, because there are no railroad tracks in Suriname, the only train in Suriname passed us on the road, blasting gangster rap music, carrying its passengers all under the age of six. 
Then we saw something really strange, a caged tree! Apparently it's dangerous. 
And a cool ant-eater. 
Then Cam tried to make friends with an ostrich...where did this ostrich come from!? 
After checking out some sweet tigers and heckling an out-of-shape jaguar the mid-day rainy season rains decided to come out. So we found a gazebo and took a quick cat nap. 
After the rains stopped and we woke up from our naps we felt rejuvenated. And since the heckler kid was busy harrassing an enormous crocile, we felt it would be the perfect time to go back to the playground and do this! 
After entertaining the kids for at least an hour we were able to convince one of the birthday parties to paint our faces. Hence, the first picture up above. Eventually, we would show up at a fancy dinner party later that night still donning our face paint. We don't expect to be invited to anything formal again for the next 2 years. And this was our big day at the zoo. This is how four Peace Corps Volunteers spent their day at the office on Saturday, December 19, 2009, promoting the second goal of Peace Corps: Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served. Minus the poor form we displayed on the teeter-totter, I think we did a good job. Finally, I leave you with a video that sums up the day well.
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