A Trip Around the World

Every week, our Week in Rap Shout-Out Contest gives students an opportunity to win a shout out for their school in the next Week in Rap. For this week’s contest, we challenged you to imagine going to the other side of the world.

A popular misconception is that China is on the opposite side of the world from the United States. Two locations at exact opposite points on the globe are called antipodes, and the antipodes of the United States are actually in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Close to China, but not quite!

For the contest, we asked you to write about visiting a place on the other side of the world from you. It didn’t have to be the exact antipodes—if the opposite point was in the middle of the ocean, you could pick a nearby country! What is life like there? What would you do or see on your visit?

Our winner this week is Rio Hondo School in El Monte, CA. Jessica and Queenie blew us away with their entries on Madagascar and the French Southern and Antarctic Islands! Check out their winning entries, plus two of our other favorites this week.

• If I were to visit somewhere on the other side of the world, I would go to the beautiful country of Madagascar. The natural beauty and ecological diversity makes it feel like a “country forgotten by time”. Madagascar is home to thousands of plant and animal species that are found nowhere else in the world. Because of that, and me being an animal lover, I would go to Ranomafana, one of the nation’s most popular parks. The endangered golden bamboo lemur lives there and it would be amazing to see! On my visit, I would definitely go to the small but stunning island of Nosy Be. The water there is so tranquil and clear, almost picture perfect. Besides, I heard that they have excellent seafood restaurants there (and I LOVE my seafood!). The last place I would visit in Madagascar is the island, Ile Sainte Marie. The still, clear waters is the ideal spot for snorkeling and migrating humpback whales visit the island waters during summer and early fall! Madagascar would be the most ideal place to visit if I were to travel halfway across the world! — Jessica, Rio Hondo School, El Monte, CA
• If I were to travel halfway across the world, I would go to one of the French Southern and Antarctic Islands. Although of its seemingly bleak and harsh environment, the group of islands could be very interesting. The islands are France’s largest nature reserve. Imagine all of the breath taking scenic views like the majestic, snowy mountains that had rarely been touched by mankind (this make these mountains seem much more natural), and not to mention the amazing fauna such as the royal and emperor penguins or the adorable sea mammals.The nature there would definitely be a must see! Only scientists and soldiers go to the islands for research so there isn’t really a permanent population. But that doesn’t make the islands any less captivating. I would go see all of the scientists’ research and experiments and maybe when I am older, I could be the one doing the research. Exciting! — Queenie, Rio Hondo School, El Monte, CA
• My antipodes is Kathmandu. Life there looks and sounds exciting! There are markets in town & authentic decorations hang from buildings. The streets are filled with color. From the buildings, to the people, to well, everything! When I visit Kathmandu it would be fun to explore part of the Himalaya mountains. I enjoy art & would love to see some of the stone carvings, called Chaityas, on the street corners. Maybe I would even see a Traditional Buddhist Musical Performance! Many of the older people wear traditional & authentic clothing, like saris & special costumes on certain holidays. I love to try new foods, so it would be great to taste new foods that I’ve probably never heard of before. This is what I would do & see on my visit around the world! — Elizabeth, Renner Middle School, Plano, TX
• Day 1: Today I decided to take a walk through a forest near my hotel. I saw very many eucalypts (gum trees) and a lot of other stuff I didn’t recognize (I wish I had a tour guide). I also saw a couple of wild woylie, an Australian rodent, they were actually kind of cute. I saw many other stuff and I would list them, if I knew what they were!
  Day 2: Today I visited Monkey Mia. A place where you can swim with dolphins. I swam with this very intelligent dolphin I named Mary. Mary and I swam for about an hour until she got tired and swam away. After that I decided to drop into the Dolphin Information Centre to know a little bit more about dolphins. There were some very interesting facts they shared with me. Monkey Mia was overall very good I can see why it is a major tourist attraction. I only have one complaint, couldn’t they have named Dolphin Mia?
  Day 3: Today is my last day in Western Australia, so I went shopping for souvenirs. First I traded in my American money for Australian dollars or AUD. Then I went to a couple of clothing stores, Spotlight and Textile Traders. I bought so many t-shirts I can’t even count! Maybe when I get back home I’ll start a new trend. Next I visited a few electronics/appliances stores. I didn’t buy very much because a lot of it was expensive but there were some really interesting things. When I went back to my hotel room to try putting these things in my suitcase, let me tell you it was hard. — Sophia, Carillon Elementary, Oviedo, FL

Thank you for all of the imaginative trip ideas! Don’t forget to enter this Friday’s Week In Rap Shout-Out Contest for a chance to win a shout out on October 24.