Two feet on an elephant's back

 

     We have just returned from four days in Chiang Mai, in Northern Thailand, a place that is part of your story in this part of the world. I was really impressed by the particular culture of the city, its food, its music, its architecture, its lively streets. We had great moments visiting a series of Buddhist temples, where I was impressed by your knowledge of your religion and the Thai language, too. You are very smart and talented and I admire you a lot. I have learned very much with you!

     But you always like to have a taste of something very local anywhere we travel. Once in Vietnam we went to eat in a strange restaurant in a suburb of Hanoi. I'm still not very sure on what we ate there. This time the local adventure involved nothing more than elephants. We went for a ride in a big one, crossing a bit of the tropical forest on its back. They are very intelligent animals and very affective as well.

     In the middle of this ride, you asked me to take off my sandals and feel the texture of the elephant's skin and its thick hard hairs. It was great, but it was also an opportunity for our feet to have a moment of love and caring. This way any taste of something local anywhere will be lovely.