Мой первый журнал SUNRISE November № 1 2018 | Page 34

TRAVELING Fascinating Journey to Africa Anastasia Repnikova School No. 2 Blagoveschensk (Russia) Traveling is always new experience gained through meetings, places, people, and feelings. On your travels you learn the culture of different nations and soak up the atmosphere of the place of your destination. So, if you know the world, you know yourself. This is the conclusion I made after my trip to Tunisia where I had gone with my ensemble “Confetti” to participate in the festival called “Colors of the Sahara”. We spent 2 weeks there and they were full of excursions and concerts. Everybody is used to thinking that Africa is unbearably hot, with the scorching sun always shining, but I will break this stereotype by saying that these are all rumors and myths. Despite the fact that the equator passes through Africa, the natural phenomena attributed to this continent are observed here only once a year. The rest of the time the wind blows and the sun is not so extremely hot. So, to get your suntan you need to spend at least 2 days in the sun. As for me personally, during the 2 weeks in Tunisia I got less suntan than if I had spent a day in Primorsky Region, though I couldn`t do without smearing with sunscreen in both cases. Africa is a beautiful country and I could witness a lot of interesting features there. The first thing I`d like to tell you about is our trip to the capital of Tunisia and its surroundings, such as Carthage and Sidi Bou Said. Whitewashed houses, narrow streets ... all steeped in antiquity and traced back to the roots and history of the bygone civilizations. Being in the center of Tunisia, we unconsciously found ourselves in a medieval atmosphere: the streets were buzzing, the traders were inviting passers-by to visit their shops and see the goods, the owners of the cozy cafes were offering to have a cup of jasmine tea. After a walk in the center, we went to see the historic capital of the Phoenician state – Carthage, built in 825 BC. According to the legend, Queen Elissar fled Tyre (a Phoenician city) and decided to buy land for the foundation of the city. The Libyan king allowed her to buy as much land as a bull's skin would cover. Knowing the size of the skin, Elissar came up with a trick: she ordered to cut the bull's skin into narrow belts and cover the hill. So it was enough and Carthage was founded. Af r i c a a l l ow s fo r i m m e r s i n g i n contemplation, and I remembered that once I had been told that there were 102 seas in the world and I had to travel to every one. After I heard that it became my cherished dream and motivation. The sea. I love it because it is immense. What do I fall in love with about the sea? First of all, with the sense of happiness which it leaves in the heart and soul. Happiness is to swim in the milk- warm sea waves when rain is whipping you in the face… And then, having wrapped in a warm blanket, lull your soul with memories. These moments are priceless. Secondly, I admire the view of the sea. It is simply impossible to convey in words. Where else can you see a bloody sunset and wake up to the sound of splashing tides? And behold the azure colours of the water and the sky? And admire the moon and moonglade on the fluttering surface? The sea. One 33 SUNRISE November 2018 №1