Thursday, April 26, 2012

"April in Laos" Part III (or Does An Asian Elephant Have Head Hair?)

This age-old question has long been keeping Americans awake at night, but I now know what the Lao people have known for centuries. Soon, you will, too!

But first, check out the 'Elephant Village', where we spent a few hours on our 3rd day in N. Laos. The Village's purpose is to protect and rehabilitate female elephants that were over-worked and abused in the local logging industry.


At this hospital, there are no beds and only one patient at a time is seen


'Elephant Village' courtyard, where ten animals stay, rescued from heavy labor





You can order lunch from the cafe, as you sit and watch the girls go by




The Nam Khan river, N. Laos




Read this - it's way cool

Also read this - We got a book from them (fragrance-free)


I can tell already that our 'mahout' is not too sure about me

Like riding a horse, except the saddle is now a padded bench called a 'howdah'









It feels very high up here!






Our Mahout/photographer and beast were all properly amused!
 
So big and strong, and yet almost dainty in her taking food from me

There is a lot of strength in her trunk - it has a little 'finger' on the end of it





The elephant and mahout are traditionally 'assigned' to each other during childhood, and their relationship is for life (humans and elephants share similar longevity)













































As your reward for looking through all those pics, here is the answer to our great and ancient mystery:

It's rough, thin, and doesn't respond well to product


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