Gypsy Jan - 10-9-2007 at 07:30 PM
Today, in Rosarito, we stopped at the midtown Manuel's Tacos for a quick carne asada and adobada fix.
A semi cab pulling a lowboy trailer mounted with a steel cage stopped across the street.
The cage contained two fully grown tigers! At a rough guess, they both weighed 500+ lbs.
Yeah, I know -- circuses are bad, blah, blah. Wild animals in cages are bad, blah, blah, blah...
BUT the tigers looked to be completely relaxed and they were well muscled with glossy coats.
Everone on the street was transfixed by the sight of these magnificent animals.
I don't like circuses, but this up close encounter sent me right back to childhood wonder, instantly.
Maybe one or more of the kids who were there today, pointing and shrieking with glee at the sight will grow up to work to preserve the wild animals we
are in danger of losing.
At least, I hope.
[Edited on 10-10-2007 by Gypsy Jan]
[Edited on 10-10-2007 by Gypsy Jan]
Cap - 10-9-2007 at 11:47 PM
In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?
Back to you, Cap
Gypsy Jan - 10-10-2007 at 07:56 PM
When the stars threw down their spears,
And water'd heaven with their tears,
Did He smile His work to see?
Did He who made the lamb make thee?
Al G - 10-10-2007 at 08:25 PM
I was waiting in line at the ATM...bank in Todos Santos...and without me noticing it a large trailer pulled up behind me...about that time there is a
roar...not 5 feet behind me. I knew before I turned, but it still scared the **** out of me.
3 tigers...2 in one cage and the scary one in the other...when he roared you could feel it on your chest...
Same ones I bet
Paula - 10-10-2007 at 08:41 PM
I always think I don't like circuses, but then if you goto one.... they can be wonderful! And I agree that circus animals are great missionaries, and
serve a high calling in educating children to the power and wonder of the wild. Hmmmm.... they maybe the only modern day missionaries, if they can
indeed be called that, that I might empathize with.
Greg Brown has a nice recording of Songs of Innocence and Experience that he put to music. I'm not sure what ardent Blake-o-philes might think, but
it's music to my ears.
Cap - 10-10-2007 at 08:46 PM
Very cool, nomads have been impressing me more and more. Not only picking up the William Blake reference, but using appropriate stanzas. (cheers Jan)
I am further impressed with the reaction to the animals. I guess seeing creatures like this is so awe inspriring that it is difficult to be very
political about it. I don't know if the animals are being treated well or not, having not seen them, I haven't thought enough about the relative value
of capturing and displaying animals. I only know that Blake nailed the feelings I have when I have a close encounter with creatures like this. Even
watching them on Blue Planet gets me. Primal and predatory.
If You Want Poetry
Gypsy Jan - 10-10-2007 at 09:30 PM
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
Cap - 10-10-2007 at 10:09 PM
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day.
Nice choice, I am just finishing Richard Winter's book. One for you:
With rue my heart is laden,
for golden friends I had.
Many a rose-lipt maiden,
and many a light foot lad
(from memory hope it is close, .5 liters of Shiraz with dinner)
[Edited on 10-11-2007 by Cap]