Los Angeles

I've been back home for a few days now, catching up on things, waking up at 5 am, sleeping all day, stomach a little upset...this is jet lag.  Despite my best efforts I'm feeling the long plane ride and drastic time difference.
I took 3 weeks to travel to 2 different countries, not enough time to really do everything.  For the time I was there, though it was amazing.  I felt humbled and privileged to share the ground with these elephants.  I plan on another trip as soon as possible.

Please spread the word, support the ethical treatment of these majestical animals by visiting parks like Elephant Nature Park.  Do your research.  Elephants are a huge economic part of Thailand and India so  using them for tourism will never stop. But, we can make a difference on how they are treated.  Do not participate in riding elephants or elephant shows.  If you see something you don't agree with, an animal being mistreated, say something.  Speak up.  They can't speak for themselves.

India

Wifi is in and out at my hotel. It's lightly raining today but it's still warm enough to walk up and down the path to the north cliff. Ascending the stairs I come across a few than more and more little shops run by young I Dian women. They are quite pushy saying "come back later, do you promise?" then when I walk by their shop again they say "come inside now... You promised". I bought an ankle bracelet my first day here from a young girl only because she put it on me. I'll probably never wear it again. The beach and the cliffs are beautiful. The people very nice, saying hello and good morning. The food is amazing! I've never been fond of Indian food until I arrived in Mumbai and was served an Indian breakfast on the plane. I crave it now more than Thai food. There are street dogs roaming the beaches and the cliff. Some are wearing collars some not being claimed by anyone. The best Indian food I had was today for lunch. Overlooking the sea, I had the best vegetable curry while a cat curled up in my lap and fell asleep.
As I enjoy every minute of this trip, relishing in my freedom, breathing in culture and different smells, meeting people I normally wouldn't, waking up to the wonderful dull sounds of an elephant rumble in the distance and the ocean weaves breaking on the beach, my thoughts are still trying to make sense of the dull heartache I still have. I feel sometimes like I think constantly about it and the lies and promises. I don't even put his face to my feelings anymore because he is not real. The person he wants to be and pretends to be is a lie. I can't make sense of anything and my head keeps trying, like I'm walking through a maze trying to find my way out, every turn an unanswered question.it's a process of letting something, someone, go especially when you've already planned your future and then to have every word, every promise, be a lie. Something only to fill someones immediate emotional need, not thinking about the devastation by taking it all away again. It's confusing and unfair, when you trust someones words because they've convinced you of them. They would accept nothing less. "why don't you trust me?" "I need more from you". "it's different this time, I promise. I love you and life is never better without you". What kind of person can turn away from such emotion? When someone seems so sure and confident what kind of person willingly turns away with disbelief and doubt?
As I swim in the warm waters of the ocean and lay on the beach, not wondering about time or what day it is, remembering the mornings last week waking up to feed elephants, touching their rough skin and putting fruit in their trunks, I think about what could be better? What could replace this freedom, of me doing exactly what I want when I want? Nothing really. Why would I waste another moments thought on something that was not, is not real? Being present. It takes
practice. This is the time of my life.

Where to begin??

I'm back in Chiang Mai, laying in my bed listening to the people celebrating Sunday outside of my hotel window. It's Sunday and the streets are jammed full with people, mostly tourists, for the weekly walking market. I just finished up a week at the Elephant Nature Park, about 45 minutes outside of Chiang Mai.
I woke up last Monday and signed in at the park office a few blocks away from my hotel (Awanna House, thank you Tonya Kay). The office was full of about 25 people. After the paperwork had been signed and payment collected we were ushered to our vans waiting out front. As we were approaching the park, driving up a windy tree lined road we came across other elephants, not belonging to the Elephant Nature Park, walking on the street. They were there to give rides. It's their job to carry tourists on their backs, the seats pressing on their fragile spines all the while a man called a mahout sits on their neck holding a tool with a hook at the end. Some of these working elephants have their babies walking right next to them. These elephants are not the lucky ones and it's heartbreaking.
The story continues tomorrow....
I'm so tired I'm struggling for words.

More on Chaing Mai

It's Monday morning at 7:42. I was up at 6:00 and on and off throughout the night. I couldn't sleep from excitement. I'll be heading to the Elephant Nature Park this morning for 7 days. I'm sitting, quietly counting the minutes,drinking my Starbucks, waiting to walk to the office where my elephant journey begins. I doubt there is wifi there so blogging may be impossible. So far Chaing Mai has exceeded my expectations and I'm sure the park will as well.
Ok, I'm off! I can't wait!!

Chaing Mai

I'm in chaing Mai at a coffee shop. I'm using their wifi and everything that is written, normally in English, is in Thai. I'm poking buttons hoping I'm choosing the right one.
My hotel called Awana House seems to be smack dab in the middle of everything. It's serene and beautiful. The weather is very warm. There are a lot of tourists wandering around some aimless some with known destinations. I watch people walk back and forth with bags of stuff. It's Sunday so there's a market tonight where you can bargain and barter for just about anything. I have to be honest, I kind of wish I had a travel partner. There's a lot to talk about and ponder and discuss.
I'm taking advantage of the free wifi here because I don't know when I'll have it again. This is just to let my friends know I'm here and safe.
I haven't been able to attach any photos because my iPad is not picking up wifi. I will try and post from my phone.
Until next time...
Jess, how's The D Dog? I miss you both and I really wish you were here to experience this with me.

Bangkok

I'm sitting in the airport in Bangkok typing in my iPhone. My iPad won't pick up the wifi here and it's really frustrating. The coffee in Thailand is dark and gritty. Kind of like the city of Bangkok. I got in late last night and walk across the street from my hotel to a "sports bar". There are mobile type bar carts in the street with plastic tables and chairs, blasting rhianna and usher. Since it was close to 2:00 am I had a Heineken (did I even spell that right?)and walked back to my hotel. My room smelled like mold but it didn't stop me from getting sleep. J don't think I have jet lag. I'm feeling a little cloudy but maybe it's from this cold I got right before I left LA. In a few hours I'll be in chaing Mai and tomorrow morning I'll be on my way to the Elephant Nature Park.
More to come...
Oh yeah, the flooding did not affect Bangkok. I saw some sandbags but other than that the city is bone dry.

9 hours to go

I'm laying in bed thinking about the things I've packed, if I've packed enough, packed too little or forgot anything.  I'm also hoping I haven't caught my roommate's cold.  This is it.  I board a plane tomorrow at 11:37am that will take me to Tokyo then to Thailand.  My travel agent informed me that my plane is only half full so I'm crossing my fingers that means I get a whole row of seats to myself.  Someone also told me that alcohol is free on international flights, sitting by the wing you feel less turbulence and sometimes you can get bumped to first class if you ask real nice.
I'm excited and nervous and tired.  Goodnight for now.  See you in Thailand.

Update on flooding in Thailand

Apparently Bangkok has not yet been directly affected by the flood.  The city has been encouraged to evacuate and the shelves at the supermarkets have been wiped clean of water, noodles and condoms (yeah, I don't know, people still gotta have sex).  Although there is a slight panic that flood waters will invade the city central Bangkok is unaffected and dry.
This is a pretty great article:
http://www.travelfish.org/blogs/bangkok/2011/10/21/floods-at-bangkoks-gates-but-dont-cancel-your-trip/

I have 13 more days until I'm boarding a plane to Thailand.  My first stop, after a 10 hour flight, is Tokyo.  My second plane transfer is in Bangkok, then to Chiang Mai.  I think by that time weather should clear up and things should get back to normal.  Let's hope.

Thanks for reading.

2 more weeks (flooding in Bangkok)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15471849

The flooding in Bangkok is the worst Thailand has seen in over 50 years.  Over 350 people have died and the city is being evacuated because of more expected rain this weekend.
I will be traveling through Bangkok in exactly 2 weeks.  I'm desperately hoping things will clear up by then and I will safely arrive at my destination, Chiang Mai, on November 12.

Apparently Chiang Mai and the elephant sanctuary has not been effected by the flood although the animals closer to and in Bangkok are in desperate need of rescue.  Lek, the founder of Elephant Nature Park, is assisting in efforts to help stranded, hurt and starving dogs, cats and pigs left because of the flooding.  Rescue teams are looking for people but the animals are left to fend for themselves.  Some are wild and dangerous so food is left for them.  Others need to be taken away on boats and given shelter. Please find the link below. If you find yourself effected by what this wonderful woman is doing for these stranded, starving and injured animals please try and help.  They need donations of bedding, food, cages, leashes and collars.  If you can't help in that way please donate by clicking "how you can help" at the bottom of the "related" box to the right to donate.  This costs 10 or 25 U.S. dollars.  This is two visits to Starbucks or one lunch out with a friend, one haircut...however you want to see it. It's not much to us but it contributes to someone who is actually changing the world.
http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/news/111015n01.htm   (please copy and paste this url for more information)

A month to go

I've purchased my flight tickets for my three week stay in Thailand and India.  I've borrowed a backpack, marked off my days at work and ordered my visa.  I'm waiting on confirmation for my accommodations including the elephant sanctuary (Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand) which was the catalyst for the trip to begin with.
Backstory: I've had an obsession with elephants since I was 18.  I'm not sure why.  They seem so gentle and emotional  which seems to be a contradiction to their size.  They are vegetarians despite them being the largest land animal in the world They mourn their dead and experience grief. They are intelligent problem solvers (they can induce their own labor by eating certain types of plants),  they will risk their own life to save the life of another species....the list goes on. Did I mention they are the largest land animal and they are vegetarians?
*Observers noted that one African herd always traveled slowly because one of its members had never recovered from a broken leg. And in another case, a park warden reported a herd that traveled slowly because one female was carrying around a dead calf. One perplexing report was of an adult elephant making repeated attempt to help a baby rhinoceros stuck in the mud. She continued to try to save the baby rhino despite the fact that its mother charged her each time. Risking her life for the sake of an animal that is not her own, not related to her, or even her own species is remarkably altruistic in nature.

Ok, back to my trip.
I can't deny I've become a little stressed out. I've spent most of my money that I have diligently saved for my move to Austin which has been put on hold until I can replenish.  I'm traveling alone.  I'll be missing three weeks of work.  I have to get vaccinations but  will I still contract malaria???  How big exactly are the bugs in India?  Well, needless to say my issues have manifested in my neck and back and I probably need a massage.  No big deal. This is an experience of a lifetime. The thought of doing it for myself, not for anyone else and  experiencing it all on my own is something that outweighs any fears or worries I may have.
I've started this blog mainly to download photos as I go as to make for more room in my camera.  Please feel free to check back after November 11 for visuals.

Thanks.

*PBS.org "Echo, an elephant to remember"