An Unexpected Midnight Adventure

Out of the blue, when my blistered feet told me to go home that afternoon, I decided instead to go visit my friend at my old job. She was working alone - a side effect of summer holidays - and she was happy to have some company for a change. While she worked I sat in the back cubby, drinking some juice, and just talked. We talked for hours! It felt good though. Two weeks locked up in my house without talking to anyone beside my mother and sister, it was nice to talk to somebody else for a change. She revealed to me that her birthday was tomorrow and for a moment I felt horrible. I had completely forgotten! But she didn't seem to mind and actually invited me to go to the state fair with her and her friends. So I could "live a little" . I was hesitant at first. Big crowds weren't really the highlight of my fancies, but something was telling me to go.

So she picked me up and me, her, and 5 more of her friends came along. We arrived just in time before the ticket booth closed. We shot some hoops, threw some balls trying to dunk this rude obscene clown, we rode on the bumper cars (although it was going a bit too slow) and I watched them ride this insane ride that flipped you around in a tight cage whilst in the air (I value my life so I stayed behind and guarded the valuables that may have fallen out of every ones pockets otherwise). Yet the three best things were the ones I will always cherish for the rest of my life: The midnight happy birthday serenade we all sang to my friend up in the sky from the large booth of the Ferris Wheel, overlooking the entire fair (a little to her surprise but delight - how many people can say they entered their name day LITERALLY in the sky);  The petting zoo, which despite the typical association, I got to pet and feed llamas, camels, and Indian Zebu's among the usual donkeys, goats, bison, ponies and horses...

But the best part was that now I can actually say...

I RODE AN ELEPHANT!!!

That's right! I rode an elephant - a beautiful graceful elephant named Beula. Her skin was rough and smooth at the same time and she walked so steadily without needing a single word from the trainer. I was so happy that when I got home I ran to my bathroom and did my happy dance which I only use in the most extreme happy moments (a kind of unconstrained squeal while jumping up in down in circles, punching the air - don't judge, we all have a happy dance). Just that alone made my entire day - No! it made my entire year! Never once in my life did I imagine I would ever ride an elephant! But I did it! And I couldn't be anymore proud of myself.

(This picture was taken by the birthday girl from the Ferris Wheel)