Two Months in Tokyo: Zoorasia (Yokahama Zooligical Gardens)

We ventured out past Tokyo again, this time to Yokahama. We were in search of Zoorasia, the Yokahama Zooligical Gardens. We made it to the station (with only one train change) without much trouble, but then met a problem. We couldn't find the zoo. Somehow (clumsiness I suppose) had left the second page of my directions either on the train or at the hotel so we were at a lost. Out comes the cell to call poor Taka for directions. Turns out we have to take a bus, which we can't find.

All of the signs were in Japanese (go figure). I'm actually somewhat embarrassed to admit that I hadn't realized just how much I relied on English translations to get where I was going. After stressing and walking back and forth trying to read the signs at the bus stop, a green bus with animals all over it drives up. hhhmmmm... Maybe this one goes to the zoo?

We boarded the train, and after a few embarrassing moments of trying to get Andrew on the bus, pay our fare with a too-large bill, and get the stroller up the steps and all the way to the back of the bus, we were off!

We stopped at multiple stops and I stressed that I should be getting off... then Taka pointed out over the phone I would probably know what a zoo looks like, right? Well, as it turns out no, this one didn't look like a zoo when we pulled up. It looked like a conference center. But, everyone else got off, including several people with kids, so we followed suit.

We walked up to the ticket booth and I pulled out money to insert into the machine when a woman rushed up to me saying "no, no" in Japanese. I was, of course, confused but turned to her anyway. She held out a white piece of paper with the Zoorasia logo on it and attempted to give it to me, while explaining this in Japanese.

She was smiling and looked really friendly so I took the paper, assuming she meant me no harm. Then she and her friend smiled, bowed and walked up to the ticket window with identical papers. The attendant handed them tickets and they entered the zoo.

I was still standing back trying to figure out if I had a) a coupon to get a discount for my tickets (and wondering how the heck I tell a machine I have a coupon) b) I had a free pass into the zoo or c) the ladies were trying to solicit business for something inside the zoo. Just as I went through these thoughts in my head, I looked up at the attendant window to see a sign that said "turn in vouchers here". A voucher! That's what I've got. So with only a bit of trepidation, I approached the window and handed my voucher. The attendant asked if Andrew was 2, and I replied "hai" then she passed me a ticket. We were in! So to those two friendly ladies of whom I was suspicious, thank you!!!!

Andrew recognized the spectacled bear from an episode of Dora and Diego!