Somewhere in Thailand

My best friend Lauren lived in Singapore for three months last year and Kyle and I were fortunate enough to visit her.  We explored Singapore for a few days and then the three of us country hopped to Vietnam and Thailand.

When in Thailand, we spent the day at an elephant sanctuary near the city of Chiang Mai and helped bathe and feed elephants.  It was an amazing experience and I think the three of us will never, ever, forget it.

Because it was so memorable, I painted Lauren a picture that captures a piece of the day.  You see, while bathing elephants, Lauren lost her favorite pair of sunglasses.  Specifically, the sunglasses she bought in Bali.  How many of us can say that?  So while we were supposed to harmoniously bathe the elephants, poor Lauren stressed herself out searching for the darn shades.

I hope this illustration captures the memory..

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Elephants!

In Chiang Mai, Thailand there is a multi-acre elephant sanctuary.  We spent the day helping feed and bath the elephants.  Even the dogs loved a splash in the river.  Did you know mud works as sunscreen for their leathery skin?  Right after we cleaned them, they immediately rolled in a mud pit.  (You can see a muddy elephant -with the mud pit in the background -in picture one)

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Chiang Mai dogs

When we were in Chiang Mai, Thailand, we visited an Elephant Nature Park.  The park cares for 35 elephants but is also home to over 60 dogs, originally found on the streets of Bangkok.  The dogs were LOVING life.  They swam in the river, relaxed on the patio, and my favorite - found cool places to lay inside the souvenir shop.  I love dogs. so. much.

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