Mariam Kazarashvili – Phileas Fogg’s New Year 2022

Phileas Fogg decided to travel in time with his servant Passpartout. They came to Georgia. It is 31st December 2021 just in time for New Year. They are in Tbilisi, walking in the streets which are decorated with colorful lights. They are surprised because they have never seen so many Christmas decorations and shops selling lots of gifts. Most importantly they are surprised that people wear face masks. 

‘Who are you and why are you dressed in such strange clothes?’ asks a little girl who is standing beside her mother hand-in-hand. 

‘Don’t you have a home? Come to my house and let’s meet the New Year together.’ Says the girl again. 

‘Yes, indeed’, says Mother. ‘You can join us for New Year’s party, sir’. 

Phileas Fogg and Passpartout are happy about this invitation as they do not have a place to stay. They together went to the little girl’s house. The house is beautiful. Phileas Fogg and Passpartout are happy to help lay the table. They tasted Georgian traditional New Year’s food such as Satsivi, Gozinakhi and Churchkhela. They like them very much and ask the hostess for the recipes. 

At twelve o’clock great fireworks started outside. At first the guests were scared of the noise and they hid under the table with the little puppy Skupi. Skupi was really frightened. Phileas tried to calm the puppy down and huged it. Then they together looked out of the window. Everyone was cheerful and said ‘Happy New Year’. Phileas Fogg and passepartout enjoyed their stay in a Georgian family. Now they are going back home but they promise they will come back again next year. Meanwhile, they wish for the year 2022 that people can smile and be happy without face masks and that dogs and birds can be happy without the noise of crackers and fireworks. 

My wish for this year is to go to school and hug my friends without any fear of Covid 19. May this year be the end of the pandemic worldwide and people be happier, kinder and more cheerful!