“Don’t you have rent to pay?” my mother challenged, affirming that I was right for not telling her prior to booking the flights. I still don’t know whether it was the classic eighteen-year-old attitude of “everything always works out fine in the end” or my belief that, as people, we have limitless potential and for the most part decide who we can become and what our life will look like. Maybe I was feeling overly ambitious after the move from my sheltered Northern home-town to the big bad world that is London, but just weeks into the first term of my degree I decided I wanted more. More than squandering my student loan on Fresher’s events and alcohol, more than vicariously living my dream life of travel through Youtubers’ like Lost LeBlanc and more than what my background afforded me. In January 2018, my boyfriend and I took a massive leap of faith and booked return flights to Bangkok for August of the same year with no idea how it would be funded, but with the undying faith that if you want something bad enough, you make it happen. It’s finally August. We’re clambering out of the off-roader that collected us from our small boutique hotel in Chiang Mai almost an hour and a half ago. Mud crumbles beneath my practically bare feet, the surrounding jungle providing some relent from the summer heat. Following the Mahout, we cascade down precarious walkways overhung with lush vegetation, home to insects of all kinds that filled the air with their sweet cacophony. We reach the clearing and immediately they overshadow us, great and unblinking beneath long, fluttery eyelashes; their grey, leathery skin dusted with remnants of dry mud. Gazing at them in awe, my wonder and amazement quickly turn to fear as one of the largest elephants approach us, her giant feet thundering against the soil. Evidently, she had wised up to tourists. Instead of waiting for me to triumphantly declare “Bon Bon!” and offer her the sugar cane (as instructed in the briefing) she mischievously snaked her trunk into the pocket of the tunic I had been given for the day, claiming the snacks for herself. At that moment I realized my fear of their size and weight was misplaced, they had the innocence of a dog but with unparalleled emotional intelligence. “Be careful around them, the mother can be protective,” the Mahout advised, a knowing smile flickering across his face. My heart soared when we were allowed to meet the babies, who had the same playful nature of a young child that feigns shyness. The entire day was spent in this way, avidly listening to stories of the plight of these animals and the procedures the sanctuary had put into place to protect their welfare. Our growing admiration for the Mahouts became evident as they showcased the level of trust between them and the elephants. Approaching the main canopy I’m overcome by the mélange of lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime, hoping that Tom Yum would be on the cards for lunch. I was thankfully greeted by the signature balance of sweet, sour and spicy dancing across my tongue and burning my throat as I swallowed, between sips sharing stories of our other experiences in Thailand and plans of where to visit next. And then, heading back into the field to bathe the elephants, what can only be described as the most epic mud fight to ever grace Chiang Mai ensued. With everyone stripped down to their swimsuits, cold mud squishing beneath our feet, these colossal yet magnificent animals began to haul themselves sideways into the water, causing waves that crashed against us and belly-laughs that echoed even further. My mind replays these memories almost daily, yearning to return to this country where I experienced such happiness and a blissful sense of peace. Sometimes that one leap of faith, that terrifying yet equally thrilling moment where you commit yourself to pursue something you could have never even imagined as possible in your reality, is all it takes to change your perspective on what's important in life. From that day forward, I have chosen experiences over money at every opportunity.