Just a few days ago, Malati, a senior Prabhupada disciple offered to take all the women on a special get away retreat. She hadn't told anyone what we were doing or where we were going until the day we went. We went on Wednesday for our outing and the weather was perfect for it.
It was a long two hour drive up to Ohio where we were going. Many of the women I was with were all acting like really young teenagers very excited about where we were headed. I was quiet for most of the trip. Mandakini also tagged along. She sat next to me in the van. On the way there everyone tried to guess where we were going. Then about and hour later Harinam mataji said "You just missed your first clue to where we are going. Pay attention to the signs on the road." So the matajis in the back kept their eyes out for the signs. It wasn't until we were about there that we guessed it. It was a zoo park called The The Wilds. It is located in Cumberland Ohio. It is very much like an African Safari like zoo.
The park has a lot of land. And it really did look like Africa almost only with hills. Africa doesn't have many hills as the land is mostly flat. But as we went in after we paid for our tickets for an open window bus which cost $30.00, we sat and watched a brief video about the zoo park. They had plenty to do there and things for kids to do and teenagers like camps and things. People could also stay over night if they wanted to. They also have pick up trucks that drive out into the fields and lets you get up close to the animals in the park that are in the distance.
The carnivor animals however are behind fences of course to keep visitors safe. The park had Rhinoceres, Zebras, Donkeys, Giraffes, endagered Deer,Cheetas, and Wild African Dogs etc. What I liked the most of course were the Cheetahs. They have such cute faces. And they too are endangered, as is most wild life on the planet. As I was watching the Cheetahs, the one Cheetah cub who was so cute was looking directly at me. And then as I was walking away three more Cheetahs including the cub who was looking at me, had all kept their eyes on me turning their heads slowly at me as I was walking away. I thought that was interesting. Maybe they sensed I love cats or something. But that little Cheetah cub was absolutely adorable. I love wild cats. Even when I was young I've always loved cats, and when I went to the zoo I always wanted to see the Big Wild Cats and nothing else.
Then after our nice trip around the zoo park, we went to have prasadam. We had lasgna, potato salad, bread sticks, pickles, and cupcakes. But we had a lot of fun. And all thanks to Malati for taking us out on a brief trip. It is said that sometimes even devotees need a brief break away from the temple for a day or two so as not to feel too isolated. But it was a very fun day for all of us.
Thank you again Malati for taking us out on a wild trip.
Hare Krishna.
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