It’s not often that you see a...

It’s not often that you see a 4-ton elephant strolling through a

Costa Mesa alley. So when we got a tip that there would be one at the

Hilton, I had to check it out.

Tai, a 34-year-old endangered Asiatic elephant was trucked in from

Perris to carry the groom of a traditional Indian wedding to the

ceremony. From the minute the animal was unloaded from its trailer

things got interesting. Passing cars just stopped. Mouths dropped and

stares of confusion ran across the faces of hotel employees.

Everyone came out to take a look, to ask if they can pet her or

even take a picture with lady of the hour. At one point a hotel

shuttle and all traffic behind it was blocked when a taxi stopped to

let it’s passengers pose for a snap shot with the elephant.

Then it got better. It was like we were all back in kindergarten

when Tai had to take a bathroom break. All eyes were on her.

Mesmerized by the whole thing people giggled and joked. Then the

groom arrived and it was time to get serious.

After the novelty of having the trunked creature around wore off,

things began to take shape. The sounds of drums and chanting echoed

through the alley signaling that the wedding procession was on it’s

way. All in all it was a great assignment.

-- Sean Hiller