Lost In San Diego
When I was 7 years old I got lost at the San Diego Zoo. It was only for a minute, not even that. My family was standing at the railing of the elephant enclosure and I remember being so mesmerized by those great lumbering animals that I didn't notice they'd moved on to the next animal around the corner. I turned to say something to my mom and found myself talking to a stranger. Talk about scary! I backed away and felt a rising panic, but a brief moment later my mom came to the rescue. That's my "being lost" story. Not as good as this one, of course, but it sure stuck in my memory.
The city of San Diego has been in my mind lately because of my columns in The Reader. I have fond memories of several trips we took there, to the zoo, the Reuben Fleet Science Center, Sea World, and the Hotel Coronado. My favorite was Sea World, where at one time they had real live Japanese pearl divers. You'd pay your money and they'd dive into a deep pool to retrieve a pearl-filled oyster for you. Probably all fake, but to a 7-year-old it was exotic and fascinating.
Memories play a part in my second Reader column, which is now up on their web site. You can read it here. Let me know what you think.
The city of San Diego has been in my mind lately because of my columns in The Reader. I have fond memories of several trips we took there, to the zoo, the Reuben Fleet Science Center, Sea World, and the Hotel Coronado. My favorite was Sea World, where at one time they had real live Japanese pearl divers. You'd pay your money and they'd dive into a deep pool to retrieve a pearl-filled oyster for you. Probably all fake, but to a 7-year-old it was exotic and fascinating.
Memories play a part in my second Reader column, which is now up on their web site. You can read it here. Let me know what you think.
Permalink posted by Phil at 11:49 PM
3 Comments:
Wonderful story. Isn't it a shame, that we parents have to worry so much? I remember playing outside until the street lights came on, when I was maybe 7 or 8, and then going home. Now, I keep my two 7 year olds in the backyard. *sigh*
What a delight to read, Phil. It's simple but you were able to inject some valuable insight in there. I'm going to post some of it in my blog, with the link to the SDR page =)
I remember your post on the spider incident, too. Made me laugh both times.
I was thinking there is one other big change that keeps our kids off the streets nowadays and it's not stranger danger, but crazy driver syndrome. I've reguarly see teens, adults and even gardeners come roaring down our .05 mile cul-de-sac at speeds approaching 30+ miles per hour.
Plus, garbage trucks are nearly as tall as our house nowadays. Sure don't want one of those backing up and not seeing my toddler. Come to think of it, many of my neighbors drive huge SUVs and pickup trucks, who probably can't see kids when they back up.
For me, that's where the real threat is.
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