It's been well over a month since I've seen an elephant, much less been privileged enough to give one a bath or say butter-butter-butter to one. This blog has been very good to me in that it has caused me to re-live my memories in detail and to record them in a way I'll be able to re-visit for years. And it's also been so very good to see on my "Stats" that there have been about 2000 views of this thing--some of them I'm sure by accident--since its inception in March. And some of you have been so good about commenting--thank you so very much.
I've been working with Jack and Jemma to see if there is some way to get some more of the little wooden elephants carved by the mahouts in case anyone here would like one. We still haven't learned whether that's feasible. I thought it would be good to sell some to people here so that the mahouts could make some extra money and the Project could have a little emergency fund too. Jack told me how they were offered an elephant for $7500--apparently not a bad price for an elephant--but they didn't happen to have that much on hand at the time. Shortly later they learned that the elephant had died of neglect.
If any of you feel moved to help the Project, there is a place you can donate on their website, which is at http://www.elephantvalleyproject.org/
If anyone feels like they might to go to the Project and has any questions, please either email me or leave a question in the comments section of this blog, and I will answer them promptly.
Another thing I need to say is this: when I told one of my friends about this trip I was planning, and she learned that Scott was not going, she said "Oh, no, is something wrong with your marriage?" I was stunned to hear her ask that. Scott has been so unbelievably supportive of this whole thing, despite his very real reservations. I would never have had the nerve to go without his reassurance and devotion and selflessness. I once read that one sign of a good marriage is whether you find yourself able to do important things you would not have done on your own. This trip has taught me that I am fortunate enough to have a REALLY good marriage! Thank you Scott!
Thanks for reading!
And here's a BIG good-bye from the girls.
Tell Jack story of the starfish on the beach. Any little bit helps. Like the star fish, you can't save them all, but you could save one at a time. Maybe he could even ebay a few of them (be sure to mention the wood, people love exotic wood). Also put a link to the project in the add if you can or at least a story. If you get a $1 from each one sold that's a dollar closer to saving 1 more. The people who will be looking at elephants are probably going to be elephant lovers....I'm sure you get where I'm going with this. BTW, For the record, Scott was the one who put the bug in my ear that you were going on some adventure and I had to call you. The twinkle in his eyes not only made me REALLY curious, It gave me the impression that he was bursting with pride and behind you 100%. If I had to pick the friend that I THINK has the best marriage, yours would be the one. You deserve each other in all the best ways.
ReplyDeleteI'm very sad to see the end of this blog. I have so enjoyed your perspective of your experiences. What a wonderful treat it has been to see and hear a part of this world that few get to know.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your adventure, and thank you for caring enough to want to do something for the good of others.
Thanks for sharing Ann
ReplyDeleteAnd for loving my older brother the way you do.
First, what a wonderful blog - the writing, the stories, the pictures, the videos, the sounds; I have been transfixed...
ReplyDeleteSecond, I am one who thought your announcement of your plans was fantasy, just whimsy encouraged by a long monochrome winter and an understimulating afternoon...I was stunned to learn that this was really going to happen; now I too feel as though I am a better, wiser person for the experience - through your eyes and heart. I love you and am so proud of you, - Gina