Mark and I never had the amount of money or the required connections to ever go behind the scenes of anything. That was until we reconnected with our friend Amy this past winter. As a recently graduated zoologist and no-nonsense environmentalist, she has friends in the right places, namely the renowned San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. So, on our last weekend house and pet sitting in San Diego, California, she treated us to a return visit at the Safari Park, where we came up-close with tigers and elephants, and learned a bunch more about those species and the zoo’s conservation efforts.
This is my contribution to Wordless Wednesday this week.
Have you ever managed to get behind the scenes anywhere? Please, share in the comments!
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March 28, 2018 at 08:51
No, I have never been behind the scenes of anything, but I would love to! What a great opportunity you and Mark had, Liesbet. I’m so glad you grabbed it, but then seizing wonderful opportunities is one of the perks of living “a life less ordinary.” 🙂
March 30, 2018 at 10:23
We have our friend to thank for this one, Karen. It was so nice to hang out with Amy while we were in San Diego and we sure made the best of all that. She is an incredible person and learning more about her passion – conservation efforts and love for nature and animals – was a big part of it. Especially since I LOVE animals as well. 🙂
March 28, 2018 at 09:16
That was completely cool! I can’t say I’ve been behind the scenes of anything cool like that. Great pictures! ~ Lynn
March 30, 2018 at 10:24
It brought us a bit closer to the animals and to insider information. I don’t know what I expected, Lynn, but (unfortunately?) we did not get to pet any animals…
March 28, 2018 at 10:27
If you count being behind the scenes at an author reading at the library, then yes. Otherwise, I’m pretty damn dull in that regard.
March 30, 2018 at 10:25
I think that counts, Ryan. I’m always envious of people who get to “hang out” with speakers, authors, or other fantastic/famous/respected people!
March 28, 2018 at 10:32
I’ve never been lucky enough to go behind the scenes either but, if I ever am, I’d love to spend a day just like you and Mark!
March 30, 2018 at 10:26
All you need, is a friend who is heavily involved in either a zoo, a band, a play, a concert, a movie, a book store, a…. 🙂
March 28, 2018 at 11:25
Oh you were spoiled weren’t you Liesbet. Wonderful day out and loving those photos of the animals. By the way, the post wasn’t wordless, you may have to change it to Worth a Word on Wordless Wednesday 🙂
March 30, 2018 at 10:27
We sure were “spoiled”, Suzanne. And, that’s a much better word than “lucky”. I mentioned in the previous WW post that you inspired me to call them “Worth a Word Wednesday”. I guess I could start a new trend! 🙂
March 28, 2018 at 11:39
What an experience! Lucky you. My friend from high school is also a guitarist and he always managed to get backstage with the band, usually before the show.
March 30, 2018 at 10:28
Now, that is what I call “behind the scenes”, Alex. Going backstage for a concert has always spoken to my imagination. Did he ever manage to take you with him?
March 28, 2018 at 11:48
What an amazing treat Liesbet! Back in 1994 I was invited to board the Eurostar from London Waterloo to Paris Gare du Nord on an inaugural journey before it officially opened to the public. It was amazing to be among the first to travel by rail between two of my favourite cities. We were all in awe ?? xxx
March 30, 2018 at 10:30
How did you pull that one off, Xenia? That must have been an incredible and super special experience. Did you take photos? Not only could you enjoy this ride, but, then you were in the next fantastic city. No concern in the tunnel? How many people were aboard for that inaugural ride? I need to find out more here! 🙂
March 31, 2018 at 13:04
It was really lovely and the tunnel felt a bit eerie on the way to Paris. I was invited as a guest by the travel agent I booked a lot of travel with (for work) and most of the other passengers were travel agents or travel coordinators within large organisations. There were only about 60 or 70 of us if I remember it right. Eurostar wanted to impress us and convince us it was a great alternative to flying! ☺?xxx
April 2, 2018 at 09:44
It looks like it worked and you were, indeed, impressed! 🙂
March 28, 2018 at 13:06
Tryouts no to think – a behind the scenes tour of a theatre once, but can’t come up with anything else. Oh, except Libraries of course – loads of them!
March 28, 2018 at 13:07
That is supposed to be “Trying to think”!
March 30, 2018 at 10:33
🙂
March 30, 2018 at 10:33
What probably seemed all normal to you, behind the scenes of libraries, would peak my curiosity. It must be a world in itself, just like behind the scenes of all “service providers”. Cool! As is the theater tour. I have never stepped foot in a costume depot, or dressing room, or make-up area. Sounds fascinating!
March 28, 2018 at 13:45
If I was ever behind the scenes, I didn’t know it!
I did hold Jimmy Buffet’s hand for a brief moment.?
Thanks for sharing your amazing photos, Liesbeth! What a magical place!
March 30, 2018 at 10:35
Could that be a possibility, Jill, being behind the scenes and not realizing it? That would be a story in itself. Your comment actually made me have a recurring thought: of being behind the scenes of my own life and looking at myself from a distance, wondering, what the heck I’m doing. 🙂 I (you?) could write an insightful post on that…
Jimmy Buffet is very popular among sailors! We listened to many of his songs while sipping cocktails in the Caribbean, on our boat or ashore.
March 28, 2018 at 22:35
Everyone needs a friend like Amy! I’d love to know more about the Zoo’s conservation efforts.
March 30, 2018 at 10:43
Right!? One of the most intriguing things we learned that day, Donna, is that the San Diego Zoo (and Safari Park – they are connected) has a procreation program to (among other initiatives) try and save the almost extinct white rhino. Reproduction is not possible anymore with survivors, since (I believe) they are all males. And, one of our guides was responsible for a potentially positive outcome matching semen and eggs… This zoo has a lab with eggs and semen of many different species.
March 29, 2018 at 07:03
Now that I think about it, I’ve not spent much time behind the scenes either! There have been a few instances, but they were never things I really cared about that much anyway, and I don’t even remember the connections that got us in there. 🙂
March 30, 2018 at 10:44
I guess you are more of an “in front of the scenes” kind of person, Lexie! 🙂 What would be your ideal opportunity to go behind the scenes? Who would you like to meet if possible? Or, what would you like to see up-close one day?
March 30, 2018 at 13:13
Good question! Hmmmm … I’m really not much of a fan-girl – never really cared about meeting famous people or getting an inside look at things. However, since you’ve made me think, I believe I’d most like to meet my mountaineering heroes and have an inside track to working in the high-altitude Himalayas.
March 30, 2018 at 13:17
Good answer! And, it might get realized one day. 🙂
March 29, 2018 at 09:45
What an amazing experience! I’d love to go behind the scenes at a zoo.
I’ve gone behind the scenes at a theatre (both a theatre used for live productions and a projection room for a film theatre), the printing press room at a newspaper, and the vaults at a museum. Working at a museum for seven years allowed me to see a lot of amazing things that were never displayed to the public. That was pretty cool.
March 30, 2018 at 10:48
It was pretty cool, JH, but ideally, I’d like to be able to interact more with the animals, maybe feed them (in a zoo that is), or spend time with them personal and up-close. Your behind-the-scenes experiences sound fascinating. You learn so much about everything that way. Especially seeing “off limit” parts of the theater and inspecting rarely, if ever, displayed art is unique and inspiring!!
March 29, 2018 at 11:11
Wow, this sounds very cool! What a great experience 🙂
March 30, 2018 at 10:48
Quick and sweet, Ellen. 🙂
March 30, 2018 at 00:06
That would make for a fantastic day out. 🙂 🙂 I guess as near as I came was working at the local Maritime Museum and conducting backstage tours, in costume. That was quite fun.
March 30, 2018 at 10:49
Haha, Jo. That sounds like fun. Worth a post one day, maybe? Photos are needed as well. So, you must know a lot about maritime history and ships. I’ll keep that in mind!
March 30, 2018 at 08:11
I’ve never been behind the scenes. Very neat! It looks a gorgeous zoo.
March 30, 2018 at 10:53
Lucy, we are usually not into zoos, but the San Diego one is world-renowned and state-of-the-art. The displays are big, adapted to the inhabitants and well-taken care of, while the zookeepers and anyone involved really care about the animals. They organize reintroduction programs, save animals from bad situations and attempt the survival of almost extinct species. They help out other zoos and all the money spent by visitors is going back to the animals.
March 30, 2018 at 10:48
So neat! I like when “Behind the scenes” comes on with favorite shows like The Durrells in Corfu (PBS). It feels like you’re getting in on some secrets.
March 30, 2018 at 15:17
What a wonderful opportunity Liesbet. We have done behind the scenes a couple of times as well as have done some collaborations with our local zoo to promote their conservation efforts. So amazing to have these experiences. Going to Africa last year was an ultimate dream come true. See in the animals in the wild was as magical as I had hoped.
April 2, 2018 at 09:43
I do envy you for your Africa trip, Sue. Mark and I have never made it to that continent together and it is high on our list. I’ve only visited parts of Northern Africa and The Gambia briefly, a long time ago, and hope to add South Africa and the real Safari parks to my memories and photo albums one day. I can see that you and Dave have had your feet in the door of a few amazing places, parks and events. Awesome!
April 1, 2018 at 19:46
It is always a fascinating experience to go behind the scenes somewhere. Your experience looked amazing, something I would love to do. Having worked a zillion special events in my day (kind of like being behind the scenes), it is an interesting perspective to see the culmination of the work and efforts of others. In my early 20s I got to go behind the scenes of a Bee-Gees concert with the help of a friend who was a security guard. I got to meet Andy Gibb in person as he was about to perform with his brothers. He was a tiny fellow!
April 2, 2018 at 09:48
Hi Terri! I knew you organized a lot of events in “your day”, but didn’t realize that this actually meant being behind the scenes and being involved in and with so much more than organizing the event. Those are such great opportunities!
I love that you had a chance to meet Andy Gibb and that it left a long-lasting impression. This happened at the perfect time in your life as well. I remember craving for opportunities like these in my 20s, but it never happened. I remember seeing the band members of my favorite Belgian band hanging out on the grass at a concert one year, basically doing the same I was doing with my girlfriends a few feet away. But, I was too shy to walk over and say hi. 🙂
April 4, 2018 at 07:27
Amy is a friend for keeps 🙂 Great behind the scenes experience. I would love to visit San Diego, this Safari Park looks like a place you would not want to miss? The photos are great.
April 4, 2018 at 10:05
San Diego has a lot of sights to offer, Gilda. We “lucked out” with a 3-month house sit there, to explore at our leisure during the weekends. The Safari Park (thanks to Amy allowing us free entrance) made the destination list twice. 🙂 It was difficult to pick between the park and the zoo when she offered us a return trip.
April 4, 2018 at 11:57
Wow. That’s pretty fabulous! I’m not a behind the scenes kind of gal, except when it comes to the story behind the story on book or movie creation. Living near so many theme parks, it would be easy to get stuck in the behind the scenes stuff, but we like the attractions more than the sneak peaks.
April 5, 2018 at 11:22
Hi Crystal,, that’s pretty cool that you live near amusement parks. I bet some of your family likes that! 🙂 And, I agree that enjoying the attractions is more appealing than peeking behind the scenes. No excitement in that! I hadn’t thought of “the story behind the story’ in terms of behind-the-scenes. Watching the extras on DVDs, used to be fun back in the day…
April 4, 2018 at 18:27
Hi Liesbet! What a beautiful opportunity you were given. You and Mark are surely deserving of this lovely surprise. I’m pretty sure I’ve been privy to some things behind the scenes, but heaven help my memory that takes awhile to register these days. When I remember, I’ll be sure to let you know. <3
April 5, 2018 at 12:55
I can only imagine all the opportunities you have been offered to have a glimpse behind the scenes, Debby, with your outgoing personality and plethora of social contacts. Maybe you can tell me in person one day!!! I’m happy you had a nice time in Mexico! Batteries charged, right? 🙂
April 6, 2018 at 10:58
Thanks my friend! I’d love to meet in person one day! You need to house sit in Toronto! LOL – only the summer, so make it quick, it doesn’t last long. LOL <3
April 7, 2018 at 09:47
One day, this will happen, Debby! We plan a visit to Toronto in Zesty – either this summer, but more likely the next one. Or, the next one. 🙂
April 8, 2018 at 11:38
Lol, ok, whatever one, we’re meeting up!!! 🙂
April 9, 2018 at 08:13
For sure!!!
April 8, 2018 at 18:55
We really enjoyed the San Diego Zoo when we visited it years ago. I have never been behind the scenes at a zoo, but I have been behind the scenes in other situations. For example, at a university, I have been behind the scenes in the registrar’s office, the recruitment office, and in degree development. I have been behind the scenes in theatre productions, and in event planning and implementation. You get a really different perspective when you observe or are part of making something happen.
Jude
April 9, 2018 at 08:17
Those are places that don’t usually come to my mind when I think about behind-the-scenes, Jude. But, I’m sure it is intriguing, interesting and enriching to see how everything works without being visible for the public. Especially, when you are part of the organization or implementation. It’s another world and it makes me realize just how many “different worlds” there are!!!