To the Zoo we go . . .

First ride on the new Israel Rail.  It runs up and down Jaffa Street.  Pretty simple since there is only one line.  You just have to know which direction you are going and where to get off.

From the rail, we caught Bus #23.  Little less simple as there are many buses running all throughout Jerusalem and they don't publish maps.  Don't ask me why.  You have to look up where you are going and what bus gets there and then find that number on the bus stations when you are out walking.  We asked for a map when buying passes and were emphatically told - with hands waving in the air, "they do not exist!"  Of course not - why would someone want to know where they are going?!  Craziness.

The zoo was worth the effort though!  Tisch Family Zoological Gardens - also known as Jerusalem Biblical Zoo was beautiful and fun.  The zoo is supposed to contain only animals found in the bible.  It also is a rehab zoo for endangered/injured animals.

There is also a large ark there with a 15 minute movie that was in Hebrew.  We had a blast giving English interpretation to the film.  It may be the oddest thing we've ever seen.  It was animated Noah and his best friend - a snake.  They were flying in an ark held up by 2 propellers.  They went around the country collecting the animals and bringing them to the zoo.  The staff was also highly concerned that we 7 Americans would eat in the viewing room - against the rules.  They told us the rule clearly then kept peeking around the corner to double check we were behaving.  Quite comical to all of us.  By the end we wanted to start making pretend wrapper noises just so they would come running.

Check out the beautiful gan's in the background behind giraffes.  They have quite the view!