Baby Elephant at Rydak Tea Garden

One last "elephant" video for you to enjoy! This 8 year old is in training, was brought to the tea garden for us to see, and is enjoying his breakfast of banana leaves, banana tree stem, papaya (watch how he splits it open, slices it in pieces and then throws it away because he doesn't like it), and another fruit he couldn't get to split (so he throws it away too). Even baby elephants can be picky eaters! If you want to watch this in "high quality" mode, click on the You Tube Icon (on the video it will be either in the upper or lower corner). Then when it takes you to the video on You Tube look right below the volume icon directly below the video. Under that is the "view in high quality" option - click on that. Enjoy! :)

The Lone Ranger

As promised, we are posting this video of a wild elephant crossing the road in Jaldapara, West Bengal, India. I spotted it coming through the forest as we were driving back to the tea garden. The driver quickly backed the vehicle up so we could capture it on video. David took a risk by getting out of the Bolero and walking back towards it. A few days earlier on this same road an elephant crushed a car to bits in anger (thankfully the passengers had all fled and no one was hurt). This male is a "loner" because he was kicked out of his family for bad behavior. It's fun to tell the story now, but I admit that I was scared at the time! Enjoy! :)

Ride on the Wild Side

One Sunday we were visiting after church when an elephant walked by. David quickly got the video camera, jumped in the taxi and off he went to film the pachyderm! The following You Tube is the result. Enjoy! :)

Distinguished Guests ?

Ben and I were invited as guests to a school sports event where we were honored by sitting up front. Notice Ben's face on the last few seconds of the video. "That's something else", as he would say. :)

Ben On You Tube

Hi Everyone! :) Click on the site below and it will take you to Ben's premier You Tube video.

4 Generations

****************** Also wanted to share this picture of our family, four generations.

Anil

Here is a picture of our helper, Anil. He comes to us from northeast India where he lived in a village. He thinks he is about 18 or 19 years old, but records are not kept in the villages so it's a guess. We think he is 16 or 17. He is a good worker and helps with cooking and household chores. We are thankful for his help!