Why did you decide to enroll with Rustic Pathways in Thailand?
Tabor: Southeast Asia has always been an appealing place of culture to me. Therefore, Thailand sounded really fun and the idea of getting to work with elephants made it more appealing.
I have traveled to Cambodia twice before this trip and I love the culture, food, and people of the area.
Everyone is full of smiles and it helps traveling there because it is also a reality check for me. As soon as the new itinerary came out and I saw that we would be avoiding the Bangkok area, I was even more excited.
Do you feel like you made a significant impact on the local community? Why or why not?
Tabor: I think my peers and I impacted the community in the Elephant Conservation but not the part of touring around Thailand. The people who worked around the conservation and our group collaborated well together.
We learned from each other about where we came from and told each other stories, as well as our diverse cultures. However, traveling around Thailand, we didn't learn much about the people and their ways of life.
I would have liked to learn more about the current political situation and how it affected the different regions of people. But I know my group and I helped the Elephant Conservation a lot during our trip.
What did you wish you knew before going to Thailand?
Tabor: Before going to Thailand, I wish I knew more about the political situation.
Of course my parents told me stuff, but I would have rather learned it there, through the people who live in Thailand.
We did learn more about it towards the end of the trip, but it would have been a good conversation to have possibly in the airport.
I never felt affected by the military coup but it such a historic event. I wish I knew what it really meant for Thailand and how it affected the people of Thailand.
What was the most interesting cultural difference you encountered?
Tabor: The most interesting cultural difference I encountered is how much the natives respect their elders. I admire how Thai people respect their elders in such kind ways.
I think back to the US and how rude kids are to their parents when they don't get what they want, and are blatantly rude even to their friend's parents.
It is really upsetting to see this even though I may be rude and disrespectful at times too.
The way they treat monks with such praise and honor is an awe inspiring sight to see. I could only wish in America we treated our elders they way they do in Thailand.
Tell me about one person you met.
Tabor: Vee was a Thai Rustic Pathways employee and the best person I met on the trip by far. He was with me during the elephants week and brought so much joy and laughter to the trip.
We helped him practice English and he was very talented at translating Thai. He was always helping the group, whether it was translating Thai letters or chasing a rat out of someones room. Vee was the man to go to.
Vee just had so much energy and could make any dull moment a fun one. Vee was a great staff member as well as all the other leaders on my trip.