I just returned from a fantastic three-week vacation in Sri Lanka and Thailand.  I learned a great deal about the people, history and cultures of these two fascinating places.

In Thailand, we kept a safe distance from the protest zone, but discussed the current political unrest with locals during our travels.  The most inspiring place I visited in Thailand was the Elephant Nature Park, where I met the founder Lek (pictured in the photo).  She’s a real visionary who’s developed an engaging institution that not only rescues abused elephants, but inspires and engages visitors and volunteers in the process.  

Sri Lanka was another country recently torn by long-standing strife between its peoples, which we had the opportunity to learn about through conversations with various locals.  We toured Trincomalee in the north that until very recently, was a warzone, but has now returned to some level of normalcy.  The most inspiring place I visited in Sri Lanka was Sigiriya, an ancient Buddhist monestary built into a giant boulder (also pictured).

I hope both countries move forward towards a path of peace.  Altogether I return to Los Angeles refreshed and inspired.  I come back with a greater appreciation for the world’s diversity and my own city of Los Angeles.  I highly recommend international travel to local leadership here in Los Angeles.