PARKES - DUBBO - THE PILLIGA

We woke this morning to beautiful sunshine, Yipee! Cos today we had a desire to visit the Dubbo Zoo.
As we readied ourselves, we realized the practicalities of how we had packed Clive to get us on the road, weren't so user friendly. Where are the clean undies?? And yep, the towels are WAY up the back there behind all that other stuff that took half a day to figure out where it would fit! (Kerry isn't as keen on the game Tetris as I am) hence it will require more tweaking in the coming weeks. Besides, air drying is so much more Eco friendly!

Gear all packed, check list checked, and thermos full, we realized we'd left behind our travel mugs - so it was off to visit Parkes Camping World.
It was a bit of a flash back for me - Saturday morning at the shop, as the owners kids were hooring around and hiding in the sleeping bags. I chuckled to myself as I relayed to Kerry that when Mum and Dad owned Camping World in Wangaratta, my siblings and I, use to do this all the time, and get in trouble for it - as did these kids - but it was so much fun! I loved the snuggly, silky texture of the sleeping bags on my skin.

We collected our buys, was thankful for the memories and headed up the road to talk to the animals.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo:

Zoos create such a dichotomy of feelings for me. Part of me is excited to see the Giraffes, Zebras, Elephants rhinos, Galapogas tortoises and the like- to be amazed and in awe of the huge array and uniqueness of God's creatures- such an awesome creative imagination. And yet there is a larger part, like the part we both experienced today, that became overwhelmed with grief and i'll admit for me, some anger, as we observed these magnificient animals pacing, back and forward, existing in enclosures that were less than a football oval. Then to read the visitor information, which clearly states the lifestyle they've come from in the wild and the distances they travel, the intelligence they possess in finding food and being in tune with their environment. I obviously have some pretty big emotional issues around freedom and being controlled as it broke my heart to watch this particular rhino with his head down, pacing back and fwd over 20m for half an hour, I just couldn't watch anymore as the devastation of my contribution to his predicament kicked in, to see and feel these animals controlled by human demands- our demand- to see them. Kerry and I have both recently seen the doco 'the cove'- which we highly recommend, it will challenge you no end, but is a must see and feel. We couldn't help but wonder how many of these great animals had received similar treatment- purely because of human's desire to see them and thus human's desire to profit from them, even under the guise of conservation. Albeit yes, the enclosures are much larger than those you see in city zoos- but still... I left with my heart aching, and my body hurting, for the truth I had not been willing to feel til now, for the life these animals (wild and domestic) are forced to live because I (1 among billions) had an unloving desire, wanting something from them. We have so much to take personal responsibility for and acknowledge emotionally as a species- the wise of the wise- it's days like this I wonder. Do we really consider the long term domino effect our everyday, seemingly minor, expectations and demands, have on our environment and planet? To be honest, most of us have blinkers on and really don't want to know ( me included much of the time). Cos if we did, the big picture would make us painfully aware of our unlovingness, and for many, the inconvenience of that truth would be too much to face, and too challenging to feel. Have you ever noticed it takes courage to be honest and real?
Look how we freak out if the supermarkets close for one day! Imagine what it maybe like if no one collected your garbage each week, the power and water were turned off. Or there was no more fuel for your car? Personal responsibility eh, try that one on for a day and see how you go.

The zoo visit really hit home for Kerry, who has travelled to Africa and Galapagos and witnessed many of these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat. Existing is not living- how many humans are also existing and not living-suppressed by control of another, by fear- their own fear, by lack of passion and desire, by using anything and everything they can to stay numb? Our being, creates the world we be in. Are you existing or living??