I met quite a large number of elephants during my week at the Elephant Nature Park, an amazing sanctuary where captive working elephants go to live out the rest of their lives free from abuse.
While I was there, I learned each of them has unique personalities. However, despite their uniqueness, they have one thing in common: they flap their ears to keep cool. I was also told they flap their ears to show they are happy. Whether that is true, I don’t know since my quick research doesn’t seem to state that anywhere. But, I like to believe it is true.
One of my favorites …an ele in mid-flap. I swear I see her smiling, too.
Today is Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011. I have been just outside of Chiang Mai for nearly three days … living in the midst of elephants.
Only, these aren’t the normal Thai elephants people see when they come to Thailand. These are the lucky ones. Most of these are elephants who have been saved from the hardships and abuse in order to make a bhat.
To say this experience at the Elephant Nature Park is amazing sells the experience short. This experience is life-changing. Eye-opening. I promise you in the next few weeks and months, this story will unfold here and other locations … you will learn more about the Thai elephants than you thought possible.
My goal: to help change the behavior of tourists visiting this country.
But, for now, here is a photo of one of my favorite ele’s at the park, Jokia. She was blinded by her mahout (owner). She was bought by the park — one of the first — and lives out the remainder of her days with love, affection and in the hands of a mahout who will never raise a hand (or instrument of pain) to her again.
Sometimes, being solo and traveling is hard. You see something so breathtaking, so amazing, such an example of the beauty of the world before you … you turn to convey your joy of the moment … and … nothing. The space beside you is void of anyone.
There are times when solo travel is exhausting. It’s cold. It’s rainy. You hurt from falling on your ass. Hard.
And, then there are times when solo travel is exactly what it is meant to be:
Exhilarating.
Awe-inspiring.
Beautiful.
This photo was not one of those awesome solo travel moments. It was the other one. But, shortly after this photo was taken, I snapped out of my funk, met some great travelers, and was on to my next spot, Romania.
I love this picture because it echoes how I was feeling at that moment: dreary, muted, and yet, peaceful.
I should be sleeping. Or, at least getting ready to go to sleep. I’m tired. I can feel how tired I am. I’ve been tired for days. I’ve been depriving myself of sleep. Not on purpose. It’s just … it’s been almost a year since I have been anywhere … and, something inside of me has awoken the past week or so.
I’ve felt that burning in my blood again.
That anticipation of not knowing what’s next.
That “world is my oyster” feeling again.
Hello, old friends.
It’s how I felt when I quit my job. When I high-tailed it out of America to go and see the world.
This time, it’s a little different.
I have a definite date back to Las Vegas.
I have cute clothes in my backpack.
I have plans. Well, as many plans as you can have: I know where I am sleeping; I have my reservations at the Elephant Nature Park. I have a time and place designated for where I am meeting Katie.
The rest? Nahhhhh.
I may be just going on holiday, but I still have that long-term traveler inside of me.
Just waiting for permission to come back to the surface …
“D,” my Dad said to me as I drove down Las Vegas Blvd. back in late February. “Where are you thinking of going to visit next?”
“I don’t know, Dad,” I said. And, that was the truth. I had no idea. For as long as I had been back in America, I hadn’t really thought about where, or better, when, I would next get my passport stamped. “I guess I need to think about it.”
In the car that afternoon, he and I tossed around some ideas, but my heart kept landing squarely back on returning to Spain and Croatia.
“Well, let me know where you plan on going … you have some miles left and if you want to get away for a bit, you should use them.”
For a few weeks my mind blossomed with the excitement of planning my return to Europe. I had it all figured out: I would fly into London, see Emma and some other friends in the UK, then hop a cheapie flight to Madrid, hang there for a weekend, fly over to Croatia and hit up Split and Solta to see Danica and relish in the peace and calm of her island sanctuary, then bop back over to Madrid, hop a bus to Merida to see my Spanish friends there, then bus to Lisbon for another weekend before returning to America.
It sounded chaotic. Perfect.
But then, I started to think … and think … and think.
Yes, Spain and Croatia are two of my favorites. But, those miles … I reasoned they should be used for a flight that was further away. To a country that I had yet to visit.
It was around this time I started reading “Water for Elephants” (after watching my love Edward Cullen Rob Pattinson, in the previews for the film version). As I turned the pages, I found myself falling in love.
With an elephant.
Not just any elephant. Rosie, the other heroine of the novel. A smart, loving and abused pachyderm. And, I loved this fictional mammal. Often times, in the middle of a page, I would find myself daydreaming about spending time with her. Taking care of her. I know it’s fiction, but damn. I actually found myself aching when she was poked, prodded and mishandled.
And then, it hit me.
I want to hang out with elephants.
So, I did what any traveler would do. I looked into the area nearly half-way around the world that could accommodate this desire.
I started talking to my awesome travel circle on Twitter and Facebook, getting feedback on places to go. Within a few days, I had made my decision. I wasn’t going to Spain. Or Croatia. I wasn’t even going to Europe.
Nope.
I was going to cross the Pacific Ocean instead.
Turns out, the place where I get to fulfill my newest dream of spending time with elephants is just outside of Chiang Mai, Thailand.
I am not going to Bangkok. I am not going to Phuket or any of the other beaches. I’m not even planning on seeing sand.
I am spending a week at the amazing Elephant Nature Park as an Elephant Helper. Just typing that makes me smile and sends a shot of adrenaline through my veins.
Then, after a week there, I am just going to chill out and enjoy the northern Thailand city of Chiang Mai (because all I hear about from other travel bloggers is how awesome it is there). And, my Best Travel Friend ever, Katie, is meeting me there for a girl’s holiday.
When I announced to my friends what I was doing/where I was going, I was greeted with a variation of this:
“You could see an elephant at the ___________ Zoo. You don’t need to go to Thailand for that.”
Oh, but I do.
The thought of spending seven days with these phenomenal creatures just leaves me breathless. On the park’s Web site, it says that people can stay longer than two weeks. And, I have to admit, it certainly has me thinking …
Welcome back to international travel, D. Welcome back.
There was a time a little more than a year ago, when I hated traveling.
After doing it for more than five months, being sick for what seemed like the millionth time, being cramped into a dorm room in blistering heat with no air-conditioning, fearing for my life in Turkey and nearly falling to my death, I was pretty over it as I sat in an outdoor cafe in Varna, Bulgaria.
At that moment, I wanted to be done.
It hurt me deeply to admit that to myself. This trip was supposed to be amazing. An experience of a lifetime. And, instead of planning my next steps, I found my mind wandering to the comforts of my bed in Maryland. To not having my backpacking weighing me down. To a home-c0oked meal. To breathing in private.
To make things worse, I hated myself for hating traveling.
I was so mad. So disappointed in myself for even letting that awful thought cross my mind. I was embarassed. This funk had embraced me, sucked me deep into the recesses of my mind I didn’t want to touch, and left me feeling cold, alone and sad.
Oh, Travel Fatigue.
When I was going through it, it was the worst thing in the world. I felt like no one knew what it was like. I felt like no one could be of any assistance in pulling me out of it.
A sign of Travel Fatigue: feeling depressed.
I was wrong. Entirely.
After being home and having relationships with other people who are/were on the road, I know this Travel Fatigue awfulness wasn’t exclusive to me. It happens to the best of us. And, fortunately, only lasts for a brief period of time.
It took a few things in my life to help snap me out of this funk.
Are you experiencing Travel Fatigue? Here are some steps to help kick it’s ugly ass and get back in the game.
1. Communicate your misery
No, don’t have a huge pity party (no one likes those), but talk to someone you trust about it. Someone you know can make you feel all better. For me, I was messaging with my lovely Anthony, who wrote words that were oh-so true: You’ve got to have the funk to have the fun. That was the start of my recovery.
Sometimes you just need to change your perspective.
2. Change your scenery
Nothing can quite snap you out of a rut like waking up somewhere new. There’s just a feeling of possibility that wasn’t there before. It can revitalize you. Abby and I had been seaside of nearly two weeks, so the mountains was a nice change of pace. And totally different and beautiful scenery.
3. Get comfortable
I was tired. I was hot. I wanted to not drip sweat every night after I had showered. Abby and I found an adorable hostel in the hillside town of Veliko Tarnovo. It had gorgeous air-con and a remote so we could make it as cool as we liked. That first night, we both slept with thick blankets on us. In the dead of summer. It was awesome. Naturally, the next day, the remote disappeared from our room. I can still remember the cool air kissing my face that blissful night.
4. Stay put
Even after Abby left VK, I stayed. And stayed. And stayed.
5. Relax
How can you not relax with a view like this?
When I was back in the solo realm of travel and feeling better, I treated myself to doing absolutely nothing. I would wake up in the morning, pad upstairs to the kitchen and enjoy the complimentary breakfast, then head outside to the little balcony overlooking the ravine of green trees across the street. I would chat with the hostel owner, the other guests, and just ease into my morning. Then, when I got hot, I would go to the room, open my computer and write. Not because I felt I had to, but because it felt good. And, I would read. Then, a little nap in the cool room. At night, I would go with the other travelers to dinner, then back to my room for some more reading and then sleep. I did this for three days.
6. Don’t plan until you have to
On the third day of doing nearly nothing, I decided I was almost ready to head out and continue with my trip. Almost. I pondered my next steps. I spent a good deal of time looking at the giant colorful map of Eastern Europe on the wall in the common room. I consulted my guide book. I did research.
Take off your shoes, kick your feet in the H20 and BREATHE. Deeply.
7. Go somewhere you really want to go
Not somewhere along the way. I was planning on going to Budva, Montenegro. The long route would take me through a few cities of interest along the way. So, I had to make some decisions. Head to Sophia, Bulgaria? Stop in Belgrade, Serbia for a few nights? Finally, I let my heart win this one instead of my mind, which was saying “heya, Buddy, go to all three cities because you can!” I was craving the sun and the Adriatic. I knew deep down that the sea would help me feel better. So, instead of doing the stops for a few nights in these cities, I plowed through them, getting me to my ultimate goal — Budva.
8. Get out of your shell
When I arrived to Montenegro, I was exhausted. But, there was the Adriatic. The sea I had spoken of for almost a year to anyone who would listen. Just knowing it was there made me smile. And, put me in a better mood. The first day of being in Budva, I sat outside, under grape vines, and was social. I met a group of other solo travelers and we instantly formed a bond.
9. Remember what it is like to Adventure
When I was with these new friends, we planned a day trip together to the gorgeous little sea town of Sveti Stefan. Well, one guy planned it. The rest of us nodded our heads in agreement and walked down to the bus stop with him. It was so warming to be with other people again, to go somewhere. Then, the next day, myself and one of the guys from the group took our adventuring even further and got on another bus and headed to the stunning town of Kotor. It was not planned. It was fun. It brought a smile to my face. It had been a long time since I had done day trips instead of moving, moving, moving.
10. Find some new, non-Travel Fatigue-y friends
After Montenegro, I decided to go to Sarajevo. Another game-time decision. But, it ended up changing the entire rest of my trip … and my life today. When I was in Sarajevo, I met Katie. We spent a few days together in Sarajevo, and then met up with each other a few days later in Mostar. We planned a trip to Croatia together. When I was in Mostar, I met Dave. Together, the three of us embarked on a week-plus adventure, spending time in Brela, Split and our island paradise of Solta together. The two of them were blissfully happy in their adventures. They woke up every day and embraced their trip, and in turn, made me embrace mine. [Katie came to visit me in Las Vegas in June, and I am visiting her in September in Thailand … see … meet friends!!]
Have you experienced Travel Fatigue? Where were you? How did you overcome its grasp?
It’s been one year since I was in Sarajevo, a city I fell in love with. The charm of the city. It’s heart-breaking past and triumph of recovery left me overcome with emotion. For a week, I wandered the city streets, crossing over the river, walking past the destroyed National Library, meandering between the European and Turkish buildings, sipping the strong coffee …
While I was there, I visited the airport where an underground tunnel funneled supplies to the Sarajevo troops fighting to maintain a hold on their city. Like the rest of the city, this part of the town was riddled with pockmarks, untold struggles from the war.
This photo is one of my favorites from Sarajevo. To me, it shows that, even with a dark past, beauty and life can flourish.
Editors Note: This post was not intended for my site. I wrote it because I accepted a bid on TextBrokers.com, a site which unites writers with those who need writing. I submitted it, was paid for it, and then saw someone else had actually taken credit for my words. Now, I am fine with ghost writing, but this was not stated as such an assignment. The person who posted the job, and later my writing, took credit for the article completely and even posted a bio at the end about her experience as a writer. I reached out to the author (who never responded to me), as well as TextBrokers.com who handled the situation courtesoly and professionally, and within days had worked with the author to remove the post. I’m not one to let writing go to waste, so, here ya go. A fun little piece on Vegas.
Heading to Las Vegas? It’s easy to get sucked in to the bright lights, the pulsing nightlife, the simply gorgeous culinary creations awaiting diners in every casino …
Before you head to the desert, here are some simple rules to enhance your Las Vegas experience:
Tip 6: Know where the exit signs are in case of fire. Fortunately, all guests at the Monte Carlo during the infamous fire in 2008 escaped unharmed.
1. Know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em. As cliche as it may sound, this is one of the most important rules to keep in mind. Set a budget if gambling, and stick to it. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the idea of taking home a small fortune. Remember — Las Vegas wasn’t built on winners.
2. Plan ahead. Want to try that new Michelin rated restaurant? So does everyone else. Make reservations for that special meal before leaving home. Otherwise, that dream dinner will be just that, a dream.
3. Behave. Well, at least a little bit. Clubs don’t look kindly on overly drunken behavior. And, escorts are not prostitutes. Paying for any sort of sexual anything is illegal in Clark County.
4. Not everything in Las Vegas costs money. A good time can be had without spending anything. At night, head to the Bellagio fountains. Play a game (a real game) at one of Cosmopolitan’s lounges. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities to people watch everywhere in town.
5. Drink water. It is a desert. Being outside in the summer requires water consumption. It also helps quell the wicked hangover the next morning.
I had never fathomed such a lovely start to a morning until a recent and gorgeous July Sunday in Napa Valley.
“Here,” Kristin had said when we discussed our post-winery breakfast between she, Abby and I. “The Boon Fly Cafe.”
She read some reviews, and the three of us were off to the cute little farmhouse-style restaurant.
BBM, I never knew you, such a lovely treat existed. But there, in the air dining room of Boon Fly Cafe, I saw your first mention, written neatly in white chalk on a blackboard.
Bacon. Bloody. Mary
My eyes lit up.
Bacon. Vodka. Tomato. Yes. Please.
And so, we sat down and ordered.
I knew the moment I laid eyes on you … Your crunchy bacon goodness in a sea of spicy tomatoey cocktail. Heaven.
I don’t think I could have paced myself if I tried.
Oh, bacon … You were perfection. And, when dunked into my drink, little crunchy bite after little crunchy bite … There was little I could do to keep from finishing you off before my eggs were served.
And yet, I tried.
And when you were gone, I savored every last bit of the remaining drink. The cold spicy sweetness rolling over my tongue, down my throat.
Oh, BBM. I love you so.
Cheers to being the best momentary pause in Napa wine drinking history.
Yours truly,
D
In case you need more photos of the most adorable breakfast spot in Napa, Boon Fly Cafe, located at Carneros Inn …
It’s no secret I love Croatia. My first trip to Croatia is what started me on my current life path. It spawned my career-break, and to this day, holds a very, very special place in my heart.
I have spent more time in Croatia than I have in almost any other country, other than America. I can close my eyes and instantly recall the mesmerizing bluegreen of the Adriatic. I can almost taste the homemade olive oil on my tongue. I can feel that warmth in my heart that Croatia first evoked.
This photo is from my first trip, in September 2010. It was before I knew … anything.
In Zagreb’s Upper Town, there are little streets with exposed brick, colorful graffiti and narrow paths that branch out from the gorgeous cafe-lined main roads. Often short cuts to some amazing view, restaurant or museum, I found myself wandering the tiny paths only accessible to people and motor bikes. I’m pretty sure this photo was taken the moment I fell in love with Zagreb.
D Travels 'Round 