A Christmas At The Zoo: Finding Connection In Unexpected Places
Discover how I transformed the wallowing around me into something fascinating (and enviable as well), in today's Connector.
Back in December 2008, I found myself in San Diego, on a solo trip up and down the west coast of America. After a month of exploring the winding hills of San Francisco, I decided to change scene for something warmer and sunny. San Diego, with its yellow beaches and world-famous zoo, was the perfect choice.
I was happy to be there—how could you not be with cloudless blue skies and temperatures reaching as high as 30 degrees in December? But the hostel where I was staying at told a different story. It was lively and colourful, with murals on the walls and a busy bar. Yet as Christmas Day approached, a sense of gloom hung in the air.
Most of the travellers there were mourning the fact they were unable to spend the holidays with family and friends. Some were students, others were temporary workers or looking to relocate, a few were solo travellers like me. The dorms, with their 6- to 8-bunk bed setups, felt stifling to some, and people were reacting to their Christmas “exile” in different ways. Some drank heavily, others withdrew entirely—like David from Venezuela, who spent most of his time curled up in the lower bunk underneath mine. The tension spilled over at times, with a few guests even snapping at the staff!
The hostel wasn’t organising anything for Christmas; the staff had their own families to celebrate with. Watching the frustration around me, I decided to do something about it.
An Unlikely Suggestion
On Christmas Eve, I turned to my dormmates and casually asked, “So, what are your plans for tomorrow? Fancy joining me for a trip to the zoo?”
I shared my pitch: I’d always wanted to visit San Diego Zoo. Back in London, nothing was ever open on Christmas Day, so the idea of spending the holiday at a zoo felt completely wild to me. I joked, “It’s better than staying here, where it feels like a zoo what with everyone growling about not being with family.”
I didn’t expect much of a response—it was just an idea after all. But to my surprise, all 5 of my dormmates said yes! David, who hadn’t left his bed much (and was stinking up the room a little bit, because of that), lit up with excitement. Lacey from Toronto, here to check out universities, admitted she’d been so focused on schools that she hadn’t been to any of the local attractions.
The mood in the dorm shifted immediately.
An Unforgettable Day
Christmas morning was spectacular. The sky was a total brilliant blue—not a single cloud anywhere—and the temperature was a mind-blowing 39 degrees! None of us had ever spent Christmas Day in t-shirts before. We shared a backpack and filled it with snacks and bottled water, and together, boarded a bus to the zoo.
The zoo was alive with energy—crowds of people, families, and children milling about, creating a buzz I’d never associated with Christmas Day. We started at the monkey enclosures, laughing at their antics, and made our way through every exhibit we could find: lions, tigers, elephants, camels, birds, and more. For me, seeing an elephant (or any wild animal) up close, for the first time in my life, was awesome!
Despite the packed venue, the zoo’s layout made it feel spacious. There was a rhythm to our day, a group wonder as we pointed out animals and swapped tales about our lives back home.
It Didn’t End There
After the zoo, we found a Mexican restaurant, dug into plates of tacos, and toasted with too many margaritas. The atmosphere was busy and our camaraderie flowed as easily as the drinks! David later told me that his sister, back home in Venezuela, was jealous of how he’d spent Christmas. While she’d endured family arguments and constant rain, he’d had sunshine, elephants, and good company.
That day wasn’t just about the zoo. For my dormmates and me, it was a moment of connection, and a celebration of being far from our countries. We’d created a sense of home where none of us had expected to find it.
Something New
The holiday season can be tough when you’re away from home, but they can also present us with an opportunity to create new traditions. By saying yes to the unfamiliar and opening ourselves to new experiences, we’d found joy in each other’s company that day in San Diego.
It’s not about where you are, but who you’re with—and what you make of the day together.