On our way home from Miss Reynold's school, we turned the corner in our Auto Rickshaw and there was an elephant walking down the street. It was amazing. We were right next to it!!! Even as I am typing this, I cannot believe that we were able to experience this. We were so close that we could touch its wrinkled skin and see all the little hairs that stick out from in between its wrinkles. I was in shock. We were so excited!!! Auto Rickshaws have no doors or windows, so it was like being out and in the open with the elephant. It was enormous and we experienced a totally different feeling than when you see an elephant at the zoo. It was so large and powerful that it could have killed us with a mere step of its gigantic foot, but it simply calmly walked like it was on an afternoon stroll. He was very peaceful.
After we came home, we heard all sorts of drums being banged and people singing. We went outside and from Miss Reynolds' balcony, we could see our elephant friend once again. He was leading a parade to promote a candidate in the India election. Talk about different campaigning styles than in the United States. :)
Looking at the city around the elephant, are cars the way of transportation or is walking more common? - Courtney
ReplyDeleteCourtney,
ReplyDeleteMost Indian families do not own a car and a popular way to travel is by auto rickshaw (similar to a small, green taxi). Many families also own a scooter, which is similar to a motorcycle, and they will pack a few people on to travel here and there. Many people walk in smaller villages, but since Delhi is a huge city, most people need a motorized vehicle to get around.
-Miss Reynolds
I can't believe people ride elephants in India! That's so awesome!
ReplyDeleteHaley Maurice
The elephant had really cool markings on it. Why do they decorate the elephants?
ReplyDeleteDevon Gomez
Why exactly do the people put markings on the elephants? Is it for religous beliefs?
ReplyDeleteThe markings on the elephant were to decorate it to get more attention for the person they were campaigning for. They were made with paint. I was so awesome to have him right next to us. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, okay! Thanks miss Bailin!
ReplyDeleteDevon Gomez
You're welcome Devon.
ReplyDelete:)Miss Bailin
Yay! she anwsered in ten minutes! Yay!
ReplyDeleteWow that's so cool! Do many people own elephants or is this just a rare occasion?
ReplyDeleteWOW...very different than the typical zoo experience. Do they have places where you can ride elephants? Are elephants worshipped or viewed like horses are viewed in America? Be careful not to step in front of one. I bet the elephant "breaks" don't work as well as a cars.
ReplyDeleteAre the elephants in any danger when they walk in the streets? Are the people in India in any danger when bye the elephants?
ReplyDelete-Emily Woodard
Do they just randomly walk down the streets and whatever is in the way they just crush it or when the people see the elephant on the street they just go around it??????????!!!!! i am very cerious
ReplyDeleteDoes the henna hurt the elephants? -anne
ReplyDeleteDo they have elephant taxis?
ReplyDeletedo the elephants have henna on them or something else???
ReplyDeleteDevon - I try to answer you as soon as I can. You are a dedicated blogger. I'm proud of you.
ReplyDeleteGabby - Nope. People do not commonly own elephants. It was for the campaign. Elections are coming up in India.
Cherise - You're still cracking me up. They do not worship elephants, but they respecta all animals because the animals represent many of the gods in their religions, such as Hindu. I'm sure they have places where tourists can ride elephants. I don't have time during this trip to find those places, but I would LOVE to!
Emily - To some degree, we are all in"danger" when we walk the streets because traffic and car accidents ca happen, but on a regular basis, no, the elephants are not in danger and it is rare for the elephants to revolt and attack people. However, when they do....it is bad.
Jordyn - The cars just drive around the elephants. It is very interesting to watch. I've never seen anything like it.
Anne - That is not Henna on the elephants, it is simply paint, but just like Henna on humans, it would not hurt.
Michael - No. They do not have elephant taxis. There are some places, no where near us, that tourists can take elephant rides.
Anon - It is paint.