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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