Shortlisted
A Week in the Gobi Desert
Hong Kong International School Middle School, Rachana Hegde, 14
O
pening the notebook, I quietly read the familiar messy script detailing my experiences in
third-person. Ignoring the thunderous helicopter blades, I skim-read my journal entries.
DAY 0
“You want me to fund an expedition into the Gobi Desert?” Mr. Mehra stared at Sanya
incredulously. “Why?”
“I’ve been working as a photographer for National Geographic for a year now; their next issue
is coming out in a month and it’ll be containing an exclusive feature about the Gobi Desert.”
Sighing, Mr. Mehra said, “Okay, I’ll fund the expedition.”
“Thank you!” Gasped Sanya. Setting down a sheaf of papers on his desk, she said, “I’ve
planned a one-week trip to the Gobi Lakes Valley Steppe.”
“Who is your team made up of?”
“My team includes Sam and John Goodwin and Tara White.” Half-turning away, Sanya
continued. “Thank you. I need to go now but I’ll email you a list of the expenses.”
DAY 1
Perusing through a notebook crammed with “vital information” for their trip, Sanya read out
an excerpt.
“The Gobi Lakes Valley is a narrow nearly flat valley dotted with lakes, depressions and
saltpans. The plain is nearly treeless, though the valley is interspersed with sand dunes and salt
marshes. It is situated between the Khangai range and the Gobi-Atlai and Mongol-Atlai ranges.
The valley contains lakes such as the Orog, Boontsagaan, Ulaan nuur, etc. in the center.
“And the weather?” asked Tara.
“In rare instances snowfall occurs in the Gobi Desert and the minimum temperature can be
lower than negative forty degrees Fahrenheit in winter.” Casually, Sanya added. “Please note that
as we have made this trip in January, the coldest month of the year, freezing weather is expected.”
This information was met with a chorus of loud groans. “That’s...” John shook his head unable
to put a positive spin on the barrage of facts. “Thanks for selecting us to go on this expedition,”
John said finally.
“Thanks for coming. There is no one I’d rather have with myself than my best friends and-”
The pilot’s voice blaring over the speakers interrupted the beginnings of a passionate speech.
“Ten minutes to landing!”
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