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| - It was on January 1st that I went to the Aquarium. I have been sick since, home with the genuine flu (none of this "flu is the same as a bad cold B.S."). I blame the aquarium, and I will tell you why:
Have you ever wondered what it's like to feel like a fish in a fishbowl? The aquarium gives you that experience. You will be shoved through tiny hallways, in pitch black, the temperatures soaring even though you still have your winter coat on (apparently there IS a coat check, but I never saw one). Throughout these tunnels and forced directions (not a lot of room to decide to go a different way than the pack - I didn't see a map or anything like that at all), you never see a seat to take a break and admire the fishes, a place where it would be obvious to take a staged photo (so what ends up happening is everyone stands right up against the glass and takes endless iPhone -- one girl had an iPad! -- photos so you can't see, all you see is flashes of light and people's arms).
It would have been nice to have staff on hand in every section to help move things along, or tell people if they're being rude. Just throwing people into a situation like this, and I was shocked at the rude results.
I also never though I'd say this, but I wanted more educational value. They had about a paragraph about each fish in the display, but I wanted to be able to learn more - all the information offered was clearly for children. In this way, it was obvious this was a Ripley's "museum", and not an ACTUAL museum, where the emphasis would be on learning. Even the "feel this jellyfish" or whatnot interactive sections didn't have any explanation - one girl stood there not saying anything, while everyone just stuck their hands in blindly without even knowing what to expect, or anything about the fish. Totally bizarre (and really, really unsanitary with the water and the hands and the touching and...bring hand sanitizer, folks!!)
Finally, in the middle of your exploration, there is a "pit stop" - a small cafeteria with disgusting food options (but luckily water, which is what I needed). Keep in mind this is the ONLY PLACE TO USE THE RESTROOM. SO GO NOW!!!
I don't know. I didn't it. I am so glad everyone is having a fun time there....but to me, it felt like a zoo (like - in terms of, I felt bad for the fish) but without the fresh air and the education.
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