tonight will just be a quick post as it's midnight and we have a cooking class at 8.30am on the Mekong River that includes a shopping expedition to the local food markets. Could be quite eye opening. I hear there are bags of blood and even green bile, so I'll have to find out what that is used for.
I have to say that I have completely fallen in love with this place.
This town just unfolds itself before your eyes, hour by hour, day by day.
It is breathtakingly beautiful and serene. The people are laid back and yet there is so much that you can do if you're like me and struggle to sit still for too long.
Today, I decided on a last minute 1 hour boat trip along the Mekong as we were strolling along the waterfront, in search of yet another massage place for Phoebe.
With 2 children in tow, I'm missing the time that you would normally have to just sit quietly and reflect, to stop and just be, in those quiet moments where you find your peace and your clarity, but I steal them when I can like today on that boat. I managed a brief escape as they entertained themselves to just sit and soak up my surounds.
Don't get me wrong, I relish the fact that I can show them the wonders of the world, exposing them to different cultures, experiences, foods, people and landscapes. I'm hoping it helps shape them into broad minded, free spirited humans and I certainly wouldn't have experienced riding that bloody elephant without them. I think in this instance I would have given into my fears.
Yes, we decided upon an Elephant adventure with a company called "Elephant Village"
This included Mahout training, a 1 hour basket ride and a bare back ride down to the river to wash our elephants.
Have you ever tried getting up on a full standing elephant from the ground without any items of leverage, like a stool/chair etc??!! It is not an easy task.
Then sitting on the neck, completely bareback was another odd experience. I constantly felt like i was going to plummet to the ground and break every bone in my body.
I had a short reprieve with a ride in the basket, although going down hill in one of those is also not the safest feeling in the world.
After a coffee overlooking the banks of the Nam Khan river, it was time to ride our elephants bare back down to the river.
I was actually quite terrified and nervous by this stage and very nearly pulled out of it, opting for a boat ride to meet the others.
However as I had my children there ecstatic about the experience, I had to overcome those fears and 'hop on'.
My Mahout understood how nervous I was and was very patient with me, occasionally resting his hands on my shoulders reassuringly.
It's such a steep decent on pretty rugged terrain and you have absolutely nothing to hold onto. Your hands are pressed firmly into the elephants head to stop you from falling forward and your knees are pressed in behind it's ears. As it walks, it's shoulder blades/neck bones (have no idea what part this is called) move around which in turn moves you around. I had to try and focus on my breathing to get me through, almost like trying to meditate whilst bungy jumpy really.
Anyway.... I did it!!!! Declan says he has never seen that "look on your face before, you know the one of terror and fear!" Ha!!
Once we made it to the river, it was beautiful and I could relax. If you fell off at this point you'd just be falling into water, not a problem for someone who can swim.
So here's to overcoming your fears although maybe not conquering just yet.
It's time for me to say goodnight, even though I have so much more to tell you about this wonderful place. It will have to wait for a plane trip or a moment when I stop, which I should do I know. I'm disappointed that I haven't made time to do any yoga or meditation yet, but hoping that will come soon.
Lots of love to you all and hope everyone is safe and well
xx
Lisa
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