Elephantino!

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go (again)...Yes, leaving for yet another OCIP trip in less than 24 hours' time. Not exactly mentally prepared to leave 'cos was kinda overwhelmed by exams and work one after another recently.

While I was packing, it totally reminded me of last year's Cambodia trip. This time round, I'm going with a smaller team comprising of a relatively equal number of junior and senior students. The cause is essentially to help the elephants at the Elephant Nature Park (ENP) in Chiangmai. The park was formally established in 1995, which was about the same time when I first read about its founder, Koon Lek on National Geographic magazine. Koon Lek was the Time Magazine Woman of the Year that year. It would be an honor to meet this lady on this trip and understand what spurred her to pursue the noble cause of protecting elephants.

Frankly, it was only until a few days ago (after exams when the mind finally can go take a stroll) that I felt even more strongly for the cause of this project. I read some updated news of ENP from their website and learnt about the passing of a baby elephant which was only 2 weeks old: http://www.elephantnaturefoundation.org/go/news



Koon Lek herself provided an account of how this poor thingy struggled for survival against injuries and illness. The description was vivid and heart-wrenching.

Anywayz, it's gonna be a whopping 17 days in Chiangmai/Bangkok. It's been close to 8 years since I last visited Thailand. The last time was on a school trip to Khaoyai National Park where I had a really good time with a bunch of sec sch mates whom I still keep in close contact with. I'd be spending the last 3 days in Bkk and returning on X'mas eve. I guess the more exciting thing is I'd be able to witness the Thai elections there. It's on the 23rd. A not-so-gd thingy is all the shops might be closed for the elections. Me not exactly a shopping person. Will be interesting (but dangerous) if I can getta see some demonstrations going on along the streets.

This is going to be a good chance to run away from this crazy world and examine different perspectives of life again. I need this break quite badly actually...got more hectic stuffs awaiting me when i come back. Gonna learn how to handle them as they come. And it's time to have greater confidence in myself and my undertakings.

~