Elena Kiseleva
1. The most important life lesson I learnt from Mike was ...
... that it's a mistake to think that one person can't change anything. There are no limits for human responsibilities!
2. What will change in your life after this experience?
I think the Pangaea expedition opened my eyes on many important things. Now I can't imagine my life without feeling that I do important things for society. In the near future I'm going to take part in some volunteering projects and internship in the United Nations.
3. The best part of this adventure was …
... visiting Barren island with its live volcano and the last day in Calcutta. Every night the young explorers had turns to kept watch for one hour and looked after the indexes of the vessel in a deck-cabin. We slept on the mattresses on the deck. One night I had a watch since 1 to 2 o'clock and when I came back to my mattress I saw that it was full of a black dust! There was a volcanic eruption while I had a night watch! Next morning we cleaned Pangaea for 3 hours - the dust was everywhere... We also did some amazing diving at Barren with awesome underwater life! In Calcutta we visited Udayan, a camp for children who's families struggle with leprosy, and met amazing kids and people who are responsible for charity there. I'm happy that I managed to get to know these people.
4. The worst was …
......a feeling that our expedition is finished.
5. What will you miss most when you leave?
I will miss green palms and white beaches, exotic smells and wonderful sunsets, local music and smiles of Indian kids... I miss every minute of our expedition and all people who shared this experience with me.
6. What did you learn from …
* Catherine - how to be a person with active life position, everything about sweets and the Arabic alphabet
* Valentina – how to be a citizen of the world when you are just 16 years old
* Manuel – how to take great photos and make a video, how to reach «sternenhimmel» (stars in the sky, I remember it)
* Reuben – how to 'chill out' and about the life in South Africa
* Mark – how to play Australian games and sing their traditional songs, how to keep smiling even in difficult moments
* Lucie – how to stay active and energetic all day long
* Florence – how to be kind and sympathetic person
* Paridhi – how to enjoy every minute of your life and everything about India
7. As a Pangaea ambassador, I would like to …
... connect my life with the protection of our planet and hope to help Mike with his future projects.
8. What is your life philosophy?
Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is a beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is costly, care for it.
Life is wealth, keep it.
Life is love, enjoy it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is an advanture, dare it.
Life is life, fight for it!
(Mother Teresa)
9. The most useful thing I brought with me on expedition was …
My camera!
10. This is what made me laugh the most …
Stretching on the board before first snorkelling. Mark's stories near a fire. Martin's stories about airlines. Moose cut of course!
11. This is what got me through the expedition:
Oh happy days, Aussie, Aussie, Aussie - and so on.
12. The five words that describe me are …
Adventurous, freedom-loving, curious, passionate and hard-working.