My Journey to See the Elephants: A Bittersweet Experience
The excitement was palpable as I arrived in Pattaya. The first thing on my mind was seeing elephants. I’d always been fascinated by these majestic creatures, and the thought of finally encountering them in person filled me with joy. As I entered the place where the elephants were, I paid around 1,200 baht. The cost included not just entry but also a coffee, which I shared with Ana, my Grab driver. I had invited her to accompany me—partly because I wanted some local insight and partly because she seemed kind and eager to join. While sipping our iced coffees, I spotted an elephant in the distance, gracefully walking with a passenger on its back. The sight was surreal. “I want to do that too,” I told Ana, my enthusiasm bubbling over. She smiled and nodded, clearly as intrigued as I was. As we approached, I found myself marveling at the size and presence of the elephant. Its thick, wrinkled skin fascinated me, but I hesitated to reach out and touch it. Tamed though they were, their sheer
