Crossing this wobbly footbridge to the elephants increased my nerve to get on one. I figured it couldn't be a lot worse. (Sorry about how the text turned out. I made the pictures larger and didn't know it would affect the text so much.)
On the 2 1/2 hour ride from the hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka, President Nichols said, "Everyone has to ride an elephant once while you're here and once is enough!" I quite agree. I told him I was trying to psyche myself up to do it for the grandchildren and he said, "Oh yes, if you don't ride I'll tell them personally that you wouldn't do it for them." Dad was more reluctant than I because of having seen on TVelephants break loose from their trainers. But here we go!
The front seat person hangs on to a chain and the back seat person hangs on to the front seat person (for dear life). Supposedly the front feels the shifting of the shoulders more as each step is a side to side motion that I felt plenty. In fact, I kept slipping the entire ride--just a little scary as it was a long way to the ground. Elephants have a very protruding back bone that I'm still feeling the effects from--much worse than an hour on a horse.
The local taking the pictures kept asking us if we were OK and comfortable. We lied and said, "Yes." There wasn't any way to get down that I could see until we got back to the starting place where we climb on and off, from and to a raised area. That wasn't so easy either. I had to help Dad lift his leg up high enough to slide up and the natives helped me.
They asked if we wanted to go down to the water but we declined. I was just worried about staying on as it was. I couldn't imagine stepping down into the water. The Eichelbergers did that and got pretty wet.
So here you have it! The first and last elephant ride (about 10 minutes) for Grandma and Papa, Mom and Dad, Karen and Bill
6 comments:
Wow, what an adventure!
Gage can hardly contain himself! He wants to go to India to get an elephant so he can ride on one. (I doubt he'd actually go through with it...it seems really high up there!) He grabbed his toy elephant and held it up next to the pic to compare. Gage says, "You are so lucky, Grandma and Papa!! I just love when you send pictures to us!"
I am so impressed that you both went through with it. You're right...it is a once in a lifetime thing that you'll never do again. Good for you!!
Those photos are hilarious! You'll have to blow one up, and hang it somewhere to always view.
Those pictures are adroable. I am so proud of you both for being brave.
Callie says, "that looks fun."
Wow, how fun and what an adventure. I know that is way outside your comfort zone, but hey, when in India...ride elephants right?
Hello Brother and Sister Laduke....my name is Kathy Griffin and I believe we have a friend in common...his name is Madhu....I got to know him through work but have since become unemployed and am trying to reach him via email or phone and have thus far been unsuccessful....I'm so hoping you can help me contact him please....my email address is TXNNOMORE@AOL.COM..... I would appreciate it very much if you would contact him and ask him to contact me....thank you in advance, Kathy Griffin, Relief Society President, Lynchburg 3rd Ward, Lynchburg, Virginia
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