Feeding Time in the Modern Jungle

Week 8 Observations

It is a bright Monday morning at the modern jungle and people are just beginning to show up for lunch at the feeding hole because it is only about thirty minutes until noon. I entered the jungle from the feeding hole entrance and walked towards the hallway to observe the interactions occurring outside the stores. Now I am sitting on a bench outside of “The Jewel of the Nile”, watching women between the ages of 20 to 60 constantly entering or exiting the jewelry store. I can see a woman far away coming from the jungle where the bookstore is located. As she comes closer, I immediately notice it is the older lady I encountered first during week one of observations. She has the same fanny pack on as before, but this week she doesn’t seem as bright and happy; she appears to be more indifferent to those around her and possibly tired/exhausted by the way she is breathing- deep and hard. She glances my way and I offer her a gentle smile and she responds respectfully with a graceful wave. This suggests that, no matter the circumstances, she is still willing to socially respect those around her and kindly offer a stranger a smile. As I continue to observe her, she does the same thing to every person who passes her, no matter the race or gender which leads me to conclude she believes in social equality. She makes her way to the feeding hole, orders a meal, and sits alone at a table near the exit.

            The feeding hole is much more active now than when I first arrived. There are small lines outside of each restaurant and, as they receive their order, the tables start to become packed. I haven’t noticed any teenagers yet, probably because it is a school day. The jungle is mostly full of men and women from the ages of 20 to about 70 today. I see quite a few couples shopping and eating, but I see more groups of women. These groups are women presumably in their late 20’s or mid-thirties and quite a few have small children with them in strollers.

            Moving on towards the bookstore, I don’t see as many people shopping as they were earlier. The people I do see walk past me in the walkway are heading towards the feeding hole. Presumably, the jungle is not getting continuous customers at this time of day because those who were here before noon are now eating, and those showing up after/around noon are here to eat at the feeding hole. Once I enter the bookstore, I immediately smell coffee from the shop on the side of the store, hidden by shelves of books. Walking by on my way towards the exit, I see a man around 50 years old in a brown business suite, carrying a brief case, reading some papers, and sipping on a cup of coffee at the sitting area. Other than him, there seems to be no one else in the store except two employees. This week was one of the less eventful observational weeks, but I was able to determine who comes to the jungle on a weekday before lunch.