Dear Diary, Today a Dream Came True

By Lena - 1 week intern

I didn’t know what to expect when I set off for Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary. I knew I was traveling far from home into a world I had never seen before, but I had no idea how quickly this place would become special to me.

When I arrived, everything felt unfamiliar—the wooden homestay, the sounds of the jungle, the quiet that settled over the mountains. I was completely on my own, unsure of what the next days would bring. But it didn’t take long for that uncertainty to fade.

The staff, volunteers, and villagers welcomed me with open hearts. My homestay family made me feel safe and cared for from the very first moment. They may not have much, yet they share everything they have, and being part of their daily life made me appreciate simplicity in a new way.

Soon, the small moments began to shape my days: the village dogs greeting me every morning, the warm “da blue” from locals—a word that works as hello, goodbye, or thank you. Living here feels calm and natural.

The jungle hikes became something I looked forward to. The conversations along the way, the steady steps, the feeling of moving deeper into nature—it all felt right. And then, suddenly, there they were. The elephants.

Seeing them in the forest for the first time was unforgettable.

By the second day, I already recognized them:

Too Meh moving slowly between the trees,

Junior and Dodo playing together with endless energy.

It felt special to watch them simply live their lives, free and undisturbed.

This place teaches you quietly—how simple life can be and how quickly you can feel at home. As I write this, I’m grateful for every moment here: the people, the conversations, and the elephants who made these days so meaningful.

A dream came true when I arrived here, and now a new one has begun: the dream of coming back.