Last year, I had a very memorable experience
when I traveled to Hargeisa for the first time. It was a trip I had always
dreamed about, because many of my friends told me how beautiful and peaceful
the city was. It was a long journey
by bus, almost twelve hours, but I was very excited the whole way. I went there
with my cousin, and we planned to visit our relatives, explore the city, and
learn more about its culture and history.
When we finally arrived, I was surprised by how clean,
lively, and welcoming the city was. The weather was warm and pleasant, and the
people were very friendly. On the first day, we enjoyed walking through the colorful markets,
buying traditional clothes, and tasting delicious local food like sambuusa and anjero. The sound of people bargaining and the smell of
fresh spices made the market come alive. We also took many pictures to remember
the day.
However, on our second day, we faced a small challenge. We were
looking for a famous museum called the “Hargeisa Cultural Centre,” but we
accidentally took the wrong road and got completely lost. We tried to use our
phone map, but the internet connection was very weak. At that moment, we felt a
little nervous and tired because we didn’t know which direction to go.
Luckily, a kind taxi driver noticed that we
looked confused. He stopped and asked if we needed help. He spoke politely and
even gave us a small city map. Thanks to his kindness, we finally found our way
to the museum. Inside, we saw amazing old photographs, traditional Somali
tools, and art made by local students. From that moment, I realized how helpful and
generous strangers can be, especially when you are far from home.
The lesson
learned from that day was to never be afraid to ask for help when
you need it, and to stay calm in difficult situations. Every problem has a
solution if you stay positive and patient.
That trip was one of my biggest achievements because I overcame my fear of
traveling to new places. Before, I used to worry about visiting new cities, but
after this experience, I became more confident and independent. I also made new
friends who still keep in touch with me today.
In the end, my journey to Hargeisa taught me much more than I expected. It taught me about people, culture, kindness, and courage. It was truly a wonderful experience that I will never forget.
|
Vocabulary and its Meaning |
||
|
Word / Phrase |
Meaning (Simple) |
Example Sentence |
|
Memorable |
Something special that you can
easily remember |
My trip to Hargeisa was a memorable
experience. |
|
Experience |
Something that happens to you or
that you do |
Traveling alone was a new experience
for me. |
|
Journey |
Traveling from one place to
another |
The journey from my town to
Hargeisa took many hours. |
|
Excited |
Feeling happy and eager about
something |
I was very excited to visit
a new city. |
|
Explore |
To go around and learn about a new
place |
We wanted to explore the
markets and old buildings. |
|
Surprised |
Feeling sudden wonder or amazement |
I was surprised by how
friendly the people were. |
|
Enjoyed |
Liked something or took pleasure
in it |
We enjoyed eating Somali
food at the market. |
|
Challenge |
Something that is difficult or
tests your ability |
Finding the museum was a real challenge. |
|
Lost |
Not knowing where you are or how
to get somewhere |
We got lost on our way to
the museum. |
|
Nervous |
Worried or a little afraid about
something |
I felt nervous when I
couldn’t find the right road. |
|
Kind |
Friendly and helpful |
A kind taxi driver helped
us find the museum. |
|
Realized |
Understood or became aware of
something |
I realized how helpful
strangers can be. |
|
Lesson learned |
Something you understand or learn
from an experience |
The lesson learned was to
stay calm and ask for help. |
|
Achievement |
Something you are proud of after
hard work |
Traveling alone was my biggest achievement. |
|
Overcame |
Defeated or managed to deal with a
problem |
I overcame my fear of
traveling to new places. |
|
Generous |
Willing to give and help others |
The taxi driver was very generous
and friendly. |
|
Confident |
Sure about your abilities or
yourself |
After the trip, I felt more confident
and brave. |
|
Independent |
Able to do things alone without
help |
Traveling made me more independent. |
|
Courage |
The ability to do something
difficult or scary |
It takes courage to travel
to a new place alone. |
|
Culture |
The customs, traditions, and
beliefs of a group of people |
I learned a lot about Somali culture
during my trip. |
|
Word Families |
||||
|
Base Word |
Noun |
Verb |
Adjective |
Adverb |
|
Experience |
Experience |
Experience |
Experienced |
— |
|
Memory |
Memory |
Remember |
Memorable |
Memorably |
|
Journey |
Journey |
Journey |
— |
— |
|
Excite |
Excitement |
Excite |
Excited / Exciting |
Excitedly |
|
Explore |
Exploration |
Explore |
Exploratory |
— |
|
Surprise |
Surprise |
Surprise |
Surprised / Surprising |
Surprisingly |
|
Enjoy |
Enjoyment |
Enjoy |
Enjoyable |
Enjoyably |
|
Challenge |
Challenge |
Challenge |
Challenging |
— |
|
Lose |
Loss |
Lose |
Lost |
— |
|
Nerve |
Nervousness |
— |
Nervous |
Nervously |
|
Kind |
Kindness |
— |
Kind |
Kindly |
|
Realize |
Realization |
Realize |
Realistic |
Realistically |
|
Achieve |
Achievement |
Achieve |
Achievable |
— |
|
Overcome |
— |
Overcome |
— |
— |
|
Generous |
Generosity |
— |
Generous |
Generously |
|
Confide |
Confidence |
Confide |
Confident |
Confidently |
|
Depend |
Independence / Dependence |
Depend |
Independent / Dependent |
Independently |
|
Courage |
Courage |
Encourage |
Courageous |
Courageously |
|
Culture |
Culture |
Cultivate |
Cultural |
Culturally |
|
Learn |
Learning |
Learn |
Learned |
— |
Direct Questions
1.
Where did the writer travel for the first time?
2.
Who did the writer travel with?
3.
How long was the journey to Hargeisa?
4.
What did the writer and his cousin plan to do in the
city?
5.
What surprised the writer about Hargeisa when they
arrived?
6.
What activities did they enjoy during their visit?
7.
What challenge did they face on the second day?
8.
Who helped them when they got lost?
9.
What lesson did the writer learn from this experience?
10. Why does the writer consider the trip one of his biggest achievements?
True or False Questions
1.
The writer had visited Hargeisa several times before
last year.
2.
The bus journey to Hargeisa took almost twelve hours.
3.
The writer traveled alone to Hargeisa.
4.
On the first day, they enjoyed visiting the markets and
trying local food.
5.
The internet connection helped them easily find the
Hargeisa Cultural Centre.
6.
A taxi driver helped them by giving a small city map.
7.
Inside the museum, they saw modern paintings from
international artists.
8.
The experience made the writer feel more confident
about traveling to new places.
9.
The writer learned that it is important to stay calm
and ask for help in difficult situations.
10. The writer regretted visiting Hargeisa because it was stressful.
Circle the Correct Answer
1.
How long did the
bus journey to Hargeisa take?
d) 15 hours c) 12 hours b) 8 hours a) 5 hours
2.
Who did the
writer travel with?
d) Parents c) Alone b) A cousin a) A friend
3.
What did the
writer do on the first day in Hargeisa?
d) Went to school c) Stayed at the hotel b) Walked through markets and
tried local food a) Visited a museum only
4.
What local foods
did the writer try?
d) Burger and fries c) Rice and chicken b) Sambuusa and anjero a) Pizza
and pasta
5.
What problem did
they face on the second day?
d) Felt sick c) Missed the bus b) Got lost looking for the museum a)
Lost their luggage
6.
How did they
finally find the museum?
d) Gave up c) Followed a local guide b) Used GPS successfully a) Asked a
taxi driver for help
7.
What did they
see inside the Hargeisa Cultural Centre?
d) Wildlife animals c) International movies b) Modern buildings a) Old
photographs, Somali tools, and student art
8.
What lesson did
the writer learn from the trip?
d) To travel alone c) To stay calm and ask for help when needed b) To
never ask for help a) To avoid traveling
9.
How did the trip
affect the writer?
d) Made them lazy c) Made them sad b) Made them confident and independent a)
Made them afraid of traveling
10. How does the writer feel about the trip now?
d) Wants to forget it c) Feels it was boring b) Feels it was wonderful
and memorable a) Regrets it
Complete the Sentences
1.
Last year, the writer traveled to __________ for the
first time.
2.
The bus journey to Hargeisa took almost __________
hours.
3.
The writer went there with their __________.
4.
On the first day, they enjoyed walking through
__________ and tasting local food.
5.
Some of the local foods they tried were __________ and
__________.
6.
On the second day, they got lost while looking for the
__________.
7.
A kind __________ helped them by giving a small city
map.
8.
Inside the museum, they saw old photographs,
traditional Somali __________, and art made by local students.
9.
The writer learned to stay __________ and ask for help
in difficult situations.
10. The trip made the writer more confident and __________.
Matching Exercise
Column
A
1.
City visited by the writer
2.
Travel companion
3.
Duration of bus journey
4.
First-day activity
5.
Local foods tried
6.
Problem on second day
7.
Person who helped them
8.
Place visited to see photographs and art
9.
Lesson learned from the trip
10. Feeling
after the trip
Column B
a. Hargeisa
b. Cousin
c. Twelve hours
d. Walked through markets
e. Sambuusa and anjero
f. Got lost
g. Taxi driver
h. Hargeisa Cultural Centre
i. Stay calm and ask for help
j. Confident and independent
Key
Answers – A Memorable Journey to Hargeisa
1.
Where
did the writer travel for the first time?
→ The writer traveled to Hargeisa
for the first time.
2.
Who
did the writer travel with?
→ The writer traveled with his
cousin.
3.
How
long was the journey to Hargeisa?
→ The journey was about twelve hours by
bus.
4.
What
did the writer and his cousin plan to do in the city?
→ They planned to visit relatives,
explore the city, and learn about the culture.
5.
What
surprised the writer about Hargeisa when they arrived?
→ The writer was surprised by how clean,
lively, and friendly the city was.
6.
What
activities did they enjoy during their visit?
→ They enjoyed walking through
the markets, buying clothes, and trying local food.
7.
What
challenge did they face on the second day?
→ They got lost while looking
for the Hargeisa Cultural Centre (museum).
8.
Who
helped them when they got lost?
→ A kind taxi driver
helped them find their way.
9.
What
lesson did the writer learn from this experience?
→ The writer learned to ask for help
and stay calm in difficult situations.
10. Why does the writer consider the trip one
of his biggest achievements?
→ Because he overcame his fear of
traveling to new places and became more confident.
Key Answers for True and False
1. False
– It was their first time visiting Hargeisa.
2.
True
3.
False –
They traveled with their cousin.
4.
True
5.
False –
The internet connection was weak.
6.
True
7.
False –
They saw old photographs, traditional Somali tools, and art by local students.
8.
True
9.
True
10. False – The trip was memorable and enjoyable.
Key Answers for Circle Questions
1.
c) 12 hours
2.
b) A cousin
3.
b) Walked through markets and tried local food
4.
b) Sambuusa and anjero
5.
b) Got lost looking for the museum
6.
a) Asked a taxi driver for help
7.
a) Old photographs, Somali tools, and student art
8.
c) To stay calm and ask for help when needed
9.
b) Made them confident and independent
10. b) Feels it was wonderful and memorable
Key Answers for Completion
1. Hargeisa
2.
twelve
3.
cousin
4.
markets
5.
sambuusa, anjero
6.
Hargeisa Cultural Centre
7.
taxi driver
8.
tools
9.
calm
10. independent
Key Answers for Matching
1 → a. Hargeisa
2 → b. Cousin
3 → c. Twelve hours
4 → d. Walked through markets
5 → e. Sambuusa and anjero
6 → f. Got lost
7 → g. Taxi driver
8 → h. Hargeisa Cultural Centre
9 → i. Stay calm and ask for help
10 → j. Confident and independent
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