One minute I was minding my own business, and the next… chaos.

Welcome to Episode 1 of “So That Happened”

I went to the Phupha Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand to feed elephants, didn’t know I was going to get shoved by one.

I was on a group tour visiting the Phupha Elephant Sanctuary. It was a beautiful experience, where I was able to feed the elephants and observe them in their natural habitat.

It almost turned into a disaster while the elephants were bathing. All of the tourists including myself were in the water with the elephants while they bathed and enjoyed the water. While walking out of the water, I checked my surroundings to make sure no elephants were leaving behind me. It was clear. After about ten steps, I felt a presence behind me, and it was too late. The baby elephant (the only baby elephant there) was very close behind me. While trying to move from its path, it shoved me hard with its trunk, and I almost fell to the ground.

One of the tour guides immediately came to my aid, checking to see if I was alright. I told him I was fine and laughed it off. Even though I laughed, I was extremely shocked. In my mind I kept replaying what happened, and thanking God it wasn’t worse.

Would I go to another animal sanctuary? Yes, I will just make sure to double and triple check my surroundings.

Check out more stories from the So That Happened: Travel Story Series.