In memory of Rajah Gajah

The day I arrive to Chiang Mai, I am greeted with beautiful news: Elephant Nature Park has a newborn baby boy. Instantly, I feel my heart flutter at the idea of meeting a baby elephant and spending time with him, getting to know him. The first time I head back to the elephants, I standContinue reading “In memory of Rajah Gajah”

Daily Wanderlust: Hauling goods in Chiang Mai

In many ways, life in Chiang Mai is far simpler than in America. For example, I don’t have a car here. I walk nearly everywhere. And, so do others. On the way home from a day spend at Save Elephant Foundation, I came across this man who was hauling a cart full of wooden chairsContinue reading “Daily Wanderlust: Hauling goods in Chiang Mai”

Daily Wanderlust: Vendors in Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul provides no shortage of ways to spend your money. There is the Grand Bazaar, where the whirl of colors, maze of ancient halls and vendors hawking their goods makes it easy to part with cash to the Spice Bazaar and the impending assault you know want to inflict on your tastebuds, playing tourist inContinue reading “Daily Wanderlust: Vendors in Istanbul, Turkey”

Back to the elephants

I can hardly sleep, even in my new apartment in Chiang Mai. My heart races and when I close my eyes, images of elephants dance under my lids. I am going back to Save Elephant Foundation’s Elephant Nature Park. Back to where it all started a year ago. Funny how much can change in aContinue reading “Back to the elephants”

The ease of the Chiang Mai apartment search

When I arrive to Chiang Mai, I am handed a bronze keyring of the Eiffel Tower. I roll it around in my hands as we head from the airport to my new home. I have an apartment and I haven’t even had to look. I don’t know what I am expecting. I have many friendsContinue reading “The ease of the Chiang Mai apartment search”

Daily Wanderlust: Exploring ghosts of war in Bosnia and Hercegovina

The stunning country of Bosnia and Hercegovina is one of my favorite places in the world. Here, a tragic past collides with a beautiful present. In Sarajevo, the scars of war are fresh. Any walking tour will clearly point to the roses which stand to remind people of the tragic deaths that took place duringContinue reading “Daily Wanderlust: Exploring ghosts of war in Bosnia and Hercegovina”

Daily Wanderlust: A Hut in Rwanda

 En route to finding gorillas during our trek in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, we had to hike uphill, through mountainous farmland. With clouds hanging low in the sky, and the air thick with humidity and burning, we plowed through fields, climbing ever higher to the bamboo forest and then the jungle. Along the way,Continue reading “Daily Wanderlust: A Hut in Rwanda”

How Mr. Lucky got lucky

I have a bleeding heart. If you know me, you know this. And, on my third day in Chiang Mai, this bleeding little heart is tested. “Hi,” a couple says, walking up quietly to the large crop of desks inside the Elephant Nature Park office. “We found a kitten and wanted to let you knowContinue reading “How Mr. Lucky got lucky”

When travel sucks

Flight One: Chatty Seatmate Suck “We’ve just had two days from hell,” an older woman says, hovering over my seat in the bulkhead as I fumble (too late) to get my headphones in my ears. “You just wouldn’t believe what happened to us. First, our flight has issues, then we get stuck on the tarmac,Continue reading “When travel sucks”

Daily Wanderlust: History in Sarajevo

Despite its tragic past, today Sarajevo stands out as one of the most magnificent and beautiful places I have ever visited. The people. The land. The history. They all stand as a testament to even the worst horrors that could befall a place, a population, can bounce back and overcome. I spent a week inContinue reading “Daily Wanderlust: History in Sarajevo”