Hey students!
Where are you right now? As you read this letter? Both physically and mentally. Did your eyes
light up at this letter or have you skipped over it and saved reading this for sometime later? How
has your experience in Thailand subtly or profoundly shifted the way you approach your life and
the world? Are you still rocking your elephant pants? Thankful for the familiar or missing the
bum gun? Loving being able to grab that familiar drink or dreaming of a “Mansome?”
In the blink of an eye we have all gone from being an amazingly silly gang of dreamers, seekers
and feelers during twenty-one days in Thailand; sharing meals, swimming in waterfalls, playing
with elephants, to being back to our everyday lives. I hope that you still reflect on the many
amazing friendships and bonds that were made during our time in Thailand. I hope that your
experience in Thailand has given you the desire to continue to travel this amazing world and
experience the richness of other cultures.
Some special moments from our trip:
-Talking with Monks at the Phra That Chedi Luang Temple
-Learning the process of how prosthetic legs are made
-Learning how to cook authentic Thai food
-Making personalized enrichment toys for elephants
-Hiking to the waterfall during a heavy storm
-The never-ending Yes/No/Maybe story at Hmong Village Lodge
-Hiking through the farmlands and visiting the shaman in the Hmong Village
-Getting to play with two week old Suki and having her fall asleep on fellow students at Chai Lai
-Bamboo-rafting down the Mae Wang river
-The last day of service walking the elephants through the jungle and having a cookout.
This summer was an amazing experience that would not have been the same without each and
every one of your brilliant personalities. Thank you for the continuous smiles and memories that
you have given each other and us as staff!
-written by Job Strong, Mentor
GLA Elephant Health and Welfare Staff
Feeling nostalgic? You can experience that same sense of friendship and adventure abroad again! Check out all our 2019 programs, or enroll now.
