I have always believed that the most successful tattoo (along with having a talented artist) is one that marks an important occasion, something that has a powerful connection for you. I have spent 2 (very short!) weeks in this amazing place, surrounded by people who have the same passion for animals in general, elephants in particular as I do. I came to believe that it was important enough to be formally marked.
Jody’s Home
Jodi has been with Lek and her elephants for many years and her commitment to both are absolute. She lives in the middle of the elephant field in a bamboo “house” with her son. By her own admission she is an elephant geek who sold her tattoo business in the states to volunteer full-time at Elephant Nature Park. She is an encyclopedia of elephant facts, fantasies and myths, as well as a great deal more.
Wild woman Jody
We were on one of Jodi’s walk abouts, just 2 of us trying desperately to absorb all the stuff that was pouring out of her mouth as well as her body. (Jodi is a tad animated 🙂 ) It came out that I used to be a tattoo artist in another life – we talked – ideas sparked ( I assure you there were no drugs or alcohol involved) and *poof*! things came together into an amazing tattoo to take home with me.
For 2 days news of my impending ink spread through our small community like wild-fire! People were oozing with curiosity and many came up to me with questions. I think they might have been enjoying a vicarious thrill! So last night, after dinner the most amazing ceremony organically unfolded.
Friends
Four friends came with me, Tessa (Holland), Kelly (Canada), the twins: Kat and Sabine (Conneticut), would bear witness to the laying of ink on my skin. We walked out to Jody’s house in the dark with the almost-full moon lighting our way. I was at the back of this conga line, grinning at the amazingness of it all. This would be absolutely the best tattoo ever because of everything and everyone that created this magical night.
Festive Lighting
Rocky (Jodi’s son) lay on the floor playing with his tablet in his Angry Bird blanket and my friends joined him, spreading around Jodi and I’s chairs. All were considering a tattoo as well, so they had an invested interest in this. Jodi sat in a child’s plastic chair with a headlamp to augment the dim lighting of the room festooned with patio lights. The atmosphere was so freaking surreal and I sank into the zone to accept the consequence of the decision I had made. The stencil went on, ohhs and ahhhs said and away we went. I have always believed in tattoo ceremonies and I couldn’t get much better than this.
Tattooing
The machine hummed as it pushed the ink into my skin while I listened to the women in the room chat excitedly. I could hear the elephants around us outside, munching their dinner and shifting closer to the fires that burn near them at night to keep them warm. I don’t watch, preferring to just open myself up to the whole thing. Because of the bamboo slatted floors everyone is forbidden to move during the tattooing. The minute Jodi was done everyone lept up and I finally looked as Jody wiped my arm. I grinned. It was perfect.
My Ele
Walking past an elephant warming by her fire, on the way home last night. (Photo credit to Kelly King)
This whole experience, the people and most importantly, the elephants are encapsulated in this tattoo on my arm. Like a butterfly trapped in amber.
Travelling Crone 
Donnae – How amazing! I can’t think of a more perect commemoration of your time with the elephants. Following your journey is a privilege. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks Kerry, it was pretty freakin’ awesome!
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So where’s the picture of your elephant tatoo??? Great story of its inception!!
L
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Sorry Linda, read it again. Forgot to add it until after it was published. duh.
Thanks for dropping by. 🙂
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catching up on your trip…love the tat.
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Thanks, still loving it, which is a good sign. :}
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Hopped over from Susie’s Wild Ride. Great story. Great tatoo.
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Thanks for dropping by, that Susie throws quite the wild soirée!
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That is so cool, I love the stories behind tattoos! Thanks for sharing your story on Susie’s blog.
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Thank you so much Emily, I am ever so happy that you enjoyed the post! Come back anytime 🙂
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What a completely awesome experience. I commend your work with the elephants and I think getting a tattoo is a great way to symbolize it. Hopped over from Susie’s blog and I’m really glad you shared this post. What a fun place to be transported to this thursday.
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🙂 I am so glad you liked the post! What a great idea of Susie! I am reserving some time this weekend to drop by people’s blog and check them out! I’ll see you soon.
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Fabulous! Now you can look at it and smile!
Thanks for bringing it to the party!
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Oh it does indeed make me smile 🙂 Thanks for dropping by, come back any time.
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Susie’s blog sent me…what a cool way to commemorate an awesome experience. I’ve actually been debating getting a tattoo for myself lately, so I’m really enjoying people’s insights into the “whys” of their tattoos.
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It was such an awesome experience, the elephants, the dogs, the cats, the people and, of course, the tattoo. It was magical how it all came together and was the most natural thing to do. Thanks for dropping by. 🙂
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What a beautiful story, thank you for linking this so I could read it! You and I definitely are definitely of the same mindset in the spiritual side of tattoos that mean something.
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Thanks for dropping by. 🙂 The meaningful tats are rarely regretted… even when we are all wrinkly and stuff.
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You’re going to laugh when you see my one, tattoo-crone-sista. Gimme a few days to catch up on my write, then I’ll put it on my blog. *grin*
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hurryhurryhurryhurryhurryhurryhurry
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No pressure, right?
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Pingback: This One’s for Traveling Crone | raveburbleblog
Thanks for the ping!
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Tattoo pic duly posted… http://raveburbleblog.com/2013/11/09/this-ones-for-traveling-crone/
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You’re welcome. 🙂
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I love this story and am glad the the ‘crone’ and the ‘raveburbler’ have connected!!! you both awesome!!! I never saw this story before, but had thought you had probably wrote a post…. i see i can like it, but how do i share it on fb?? I want to!!!! 😀
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Thank you Jodi! At the bottom of the post look for “If you like it, share it!” and a series of buttons, just click the facebook one. 🙂
Did you have chance to read the Chet one? I was wondering if he saw it. 🙂 https://travellingcrone.com/2013/10/26/sun-salutation-a-la-chet/
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Naww, cheers Jodi. ‘Raveburbler’ – lol. God forbid Crone and I ever get together in real life. It would spell trouble, I just know it…
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Well raveburbler (you know that’s going to stick now), I have a feeling that Pom would have to increase her stock of Chang considerably. LOL
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