The advice your mother never gave you.

    Ask someone if they think the human race is generally good and most will answer "of course not". There are murders everyday, rapes, robberies, mass genocide, and countless acts of heartlessness committed so frequently that who wouldn't think us humans are down right horrid? They'll tell you life is hard, it's misery from the start, people are bad, be cautious, don't trust anyone. In the states we learn from the get go not to take candy from strangers, accept a ride, or even look in the direction of someone your unfamiliar with. Does this early conditioning set us up for a lifetime of being overly cautious? Developing trust issues or leading a life of subconscious solitude?
     I don't think this lack of trust in fellow humans is a global view. Here in Thailand people are generally kinder to one another. On numerous occasions while traveling I have thrown caution to the wind and put blind faith into a complete stranger. I've travelled from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by hitching a ride in the back of a pick up truck. I've made my way around national parks by waving down numerous motorbikes, and I've explored country side villages by accepting offers to go home with a local for dinner. I have learned about the Vietnamese/American war while riding around on the back of a moped with a man who possessed a passion for history. I experienced a traditional death anniversary ceremony by staying at the home of two young Cambodian sisters.
    Some of you might be shaking your head saying "what a stupid girl, gonna wind up kidnapped or worse". I'm not stupid, careless, or uneducated on the dangers that lie dormant until provoked. I understand some people have bad intentions, but I also understand that some people don't. I think that's what most westerners lack, the understanding that some simply don't. If you constantly live your life thinking "what do they want from me, why are they being nice there must be a hidden agenda". Then you will never know the gratitude that comes with being treated kindly, the humbleness that comes from letting another person help you, and the joy of one day being able to return the favor.
So take some candy from a stranger once in a while... Sometimes it tastes the sweetest.
 

Elephant Enlightenment

   The past week has been an experience that I will never forget. Elephants have always held a special place in my heart, and now they have just buried even further. Spending time with these animals; I was able to learn different personalities, characteristics, likes and dislikes of ten elephants. My favorite elephant was called Fah Sai which means clear skies. Fah Sai immediately grabbed my attention with her gentle nature and exquisitely large size. I became even further connected to her after learning that we are the same age.      
    She was the first elephant I took on a walk and the first elephant I ever swam with. In the river Fah Sai took care of me like I was a small child. She was calm and gentle, careful not to kick or step on me. She playfully sprayed me with water and patiently let me scrub her from head to tail.

     Working with elephants is like nothing I can compare to... Except working with horses. Like horses, elephants are an intelligent herd animal that have been domesticated by humans. Seeing first hand the interaction between human and elephant I couldn't help but to be reminded of my days spent bumming around a barn, training and riding. As the days progressed I began to see that just like horses, some elephants can be defiant, "misbehave" and cause a scene. As I began to notice these behaviors, I realized (more than ever), how necessary it is for a mahout to have good control over his elephant.

    One thing I did not expect to take away from this experience is such a strong relation to the mahouts. I understand why they have to use bull hooks, I understand why they have to get rough at times. The trainer in me sees that it is necessary to pinch their ears when they're acting up or give a smack with bamboo when they try to hit you with their trunk. Of course there are degrees, it's never ok to make an animal cry out in pain or bleed.
     As this new found understanding set in, I began to see clearly the solution to elephant "cruelty". It doesn't lie within outlawing a bull hook. It lies within us. The foreigners, the animals lovers who "just want to see one up close". The people who come to Thailand with"riding an elephant" at the top of their bucket list. Yes, I believe in animal rights, I believe that they should be treated kindly and with respect. No, I don't believe that wild animals should be kept in captivity... But the sad truth is that they are. They are in captivity and the only thing we can do is work towards giving them a life closest to what they would experience in the wild.
    Ecotourism: if you are dying to see an elephant up close. Pay to view an elephant in a sanctuary over paying to view an elephant in a show ring. Painting pictures, standing on one leg, balancing on a ball, and even carrying humans isn't natural. It's down right degrading for such an elegant, intelligent animal to be reduced to a ride and a show. The movement starts now; think before attending a circus or pay for an elephant ride people... There are other ways.

If not us, then who? If not now, then when?