Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA – Young people in my country of Madagascar, including me, do not have the opportunity to visit other countries.
I felt very happy with this trip to South Africa partly because it was my first time seeing the ocean.
Listen to an audio recording of this article:
Before the Youth Journalism International Global Conference in Cape Town, I had only seen the ocean in movies.
The beauty of the ocean in the movies has always moved me, including the animals and wildlife in the water.
Now I’ve seen it, not just in a movie, but in real life. It’s even more beautiful when you see it in person.
I saw the crashing waves and many creatures, particularly the birds, which I liked the most.
Seeing the ocean brought out all my feelings.
The blue of the water was incredible. I was very happy, and everything about the ocean interested me.
When I was near the ocean, I felt free, as if all my problems had been forgotten.
I hope this is not the last time.
Tahiry Andrianotahiana is a Junior Reporter with Youth Journalism International from Madagascar. She wrote this article.
Anya Farooqui is a Reporter with Youth Journalism International from Pakistan. She made the audio recording.
Gemma Christie is a Correspondent and Senior Illustrator with Youth Journalism International from England. She took the picture of Hout Bay.
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