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.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
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)
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)
Thursday, October 6, 2011
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"
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.
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"
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