Food for thought

Elephant encounters

One of the magazines piled up on the hallway floor when I returned was from my old university. As usual I read through the obituaries section, and came across this entry:

Ambrose, Mr John Dominic 'Johnny', 'Taz', BSc Zoology First Class 1999 (Badock 1996-97), formerly safari guide, late of Arusha, Tanzania, was trampled by an elephant as he saved the life of a tourist in Luangwa Park, Zambia, 31 July 2000, aged 23.

Does anybody still fancy taking close-up photos of elephants?

Lugage advice

I learned the hard way not to put any cash or valuable equipment into checked-in luggage: too many people can get their hands on it, and if the zip "accidentally" comes open, your valuables are exposed and vulnerable. I was eventually re-united with my missing luggage over a month after I had last seen it, the zip was open, and my friend's camcorder and $185 cash were missing. My travel insurance policy did not cover valuables and cash stored in checked-in luggage. Check your policy carefully next time you contemplate putting something valuable in your suitcase.