A transformative experience

This has been my first experience travelling alone and GVI Chiang Mai has not only accommodated me but made me feel more comfortable than I ever could have imagined. From the efficient airport pick ups to the array of community activities that constantly keep you occupied and immersed in the local community here in Huay Pakoot. Whilst the elephant hikes enable you to appreciate the work of the mahouts as well as the beauty of the animals themselves, for me it has been being continuously surrounded by like-minded and frankly quite inspirational people that has made this experience what it was. There is never a moment on base when people aren't laughing or just engaged in conversations with others they never would have crossed paths with otherwise. I for sure have gained some life-long friends here and that makes what we're doing here feel even more meaningful if that is at all possible. Obviously the long term goal is to pass the initiative of caring and keeping the elephants in the wild on to the local community, however as of now it feels to me like a completely mutualistic relationship whereby we work hand in hand and both seize opportunities to learn from the other. So, I cannot recommend this project enough without sounding annoyingly preachy, but I'm going to do it anyway because this has been the best experience of my life and even the minor hardships such as homesickness don't even nearly compare to the extent I have gained from coming to GVI Chiang Mai.