A Day at the Philadelphia Zoo

A Day at the Philadelphia Zoo

by Cara Kishter

Every Sunday, my roommates and I find ourselves contemplating the same question that generations before us have asked themselves for years: should I leave my house today? While there is merit to be found in lounging around on one’s day off, on this particular Sunday, or April 2nd, 2023, to be exact, myself and two of my roommates and dear friends, Jules Hillman and Sofia Marinelli, decided to do something fun.

Something we’d never done before. So, we got up, drove to Fairmount Park, and made our way to the Philadelphia Zoo.

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Jules Hillman (L) and Sofia Marinelli (R) pose with a 3-D hippopotamus sculpture at the Philadelphia Zoo. Kishter 3

(ABOVE): Penguins at the Philadelphia Zoo discuss politics and current events on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

(LEFT:) Trees in full bloom at the Philadelphia Zoo.

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A boy plays with a bubble machine shaped like the head of a dinosaur at the Philadelphia Zoo.

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Flamingoes drink water and chat amongst themselves at the Philadelphia Zoo.

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The Philadelphia Zoo is home to a variety of fascinating animals, from giraffes and tigers to otters and frogs. While I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these creatures with my own eyes, one of my favorite species to observe were the people.

A man and a child look at a hippopotamus at the Philadelphia Zoo. Kishter 7

A child stands among butterfly sculptures at the Philadelphia Zoo. 8 Kishter

(LEFT:) A child sits in a sculpture of a turtle shell at the Philadelphia Zoo.

(RIGHT:) A child points at a group of tortoises at the Philadelphia Zoo.

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The three of us felt an emotional connection to this goat. He felt comfortable around us right away, and it was hard to say goodbye.

This shot was my best attempt at a photo of the two of us together.

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Cara Kishter (R) petting and posing with a goat (L) at the Philadelphia Zoo.

Jules Hillman (L) and Sofia Marinelli (R) pet a goat (Center) at the Philadelphia Zoo. Kishter 11

Patrons of the Philadelphia Zoo pose for a caricature artist.

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Jules Hillman sits in the pouch of a kangaroo sculpture at the Philadelphia Zoo.

Sofia Marinelli puts money in the jar of a musician playing music outside of the Philadelphia Zoo.

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After getting some merchandise from the gift shop, Sofia, Jules, and I left the zoo. On our way out, we stopped for lunch at Fette Sau, a barbeque restaurant in Fishtown. The food and experience made an already great day even better. We could not stop talking about how much fun we had on our drive home, and how glad we were to spend the day out and about trying new things. Ultimately, I’m always happy just to spend time with them. I’m glad to have friends that are always along for the ride.

Sofia Marinelli (L), Jules Hillman (Center), and Cara Kishter (R) pose with their new merchandise after leaving the Philadelphia Zoo. 14 Kishter