Мой первый журнал SUNRISE November № 1 2018 | Page 17

TRAVELING Travel Broadens the Mind «A little step may be the beginning of a great journey!" Anastasia Kuknerik KIDS FM journalist, traveler Blagoveschensk (Russia) A journey is a big event for anyone. Some people like visiting nearby cities, others prefer to travel to distant countries. And for everyone it is something that causes changes in not only the setting but also the personality. The journey I am going to tell you about in this article is a spectacular example. Since my very childhood, my heart has always craved for adventures. I liked watching fascinating TV programs about travelers and listening to stories about interesting places. As I grew up, some of my ideas started turning into plans which were then carried into effect. Thus, a couple of years ago I set my heart upon visiting London. For people living in Blagoveschensk even a journey to Moscow is considered to be a costly affair, let alone travelling to European countries. However, I managed to find a company which specialized in visa support and sending students abroad. I can hardly describe how happy I was. SWT (Study&Work&Travel) offers a great variety of countries to suit any taste. All journeys were mainly scheduled for July: excellent time for travelling, without detriment to studies. H owe ve r, a v i s a wa s to b e o b ta i n e d beforehand, of course. 3 months before departure I went to Moscow to get a visa. “But couldn't you get a visa in Vladivostok?” you may ask. And I will answer that, unfortunately, you can only get a US visa in that city while to obtain the European document you have to go to the capital. The journey began from Khabarovsk. The matter is that for some time there were no direct flights from Blagoveschensk to Moscow. You could only fly via Yekaterinburg which was not quite advantageous in terms of time and money. Therefore, I took a train from Blagoveschensk to Khabarovsk and then a plane to Moscow. The earliest tickets I could get were in 2 days. I spent those two days in the capital. I was able to see my friends and do all important things and then I flew to Paris. I only spent 5 hours in that wonderful city but the view of Eiffel Tower got imprinted in my memory for a long time… And, finally, I took a plane from Paris to London to get to my destination. The capital of England met me hospitably. It was a nice summer night and there were lots of opportunities ahead which twinkled to me from the sky as colorful starts… After my arrival I joined my host family at once (my “mom” was the owner of a hospital and my “dad” owned a travel agency) and I have to admit that the place was quite glamorous. I lived in Beckenham where David Bowie used to live. Streets were not crowded in that district, there were all kinds of shops nearby and, most importantly, the school I November 2018 №1 SUNRISE 16