Around the world in 80 days. 5th Grade.

You know the story: a rich gentleman called Phileas Fogg bets 20.000 pounds that he can travel around the world in less than 80 days. Actually this is completely possible (in fact, travelling by plane, and refueling in the air, you would take two days) But in 1872, when the book was published, this feat was almost impossible. Today we will talk about the transports in which Mr. Fogg traveled:

• By train: Phileas Fogg travelled by train always he could. Concretely from London to Brindisi; from Bombay to Calcuta; and from San Francisco to New York. In 19th century train was the best land transport for people and goods; and Mr. Fogg made a good use of it.

• By ship: Unfortunately Mr. Fogg could not do all his trip by train. There were certain geographical areas which must be crossed by ship: concretely from Brindisi to Bombay; from Calcuta to San Francisco; and from New York to London. (The ocean is the ocean: or ship or nothing) In 19th century, ships were moved by steam or by sail.

• By elephant!! Perhaps one of the most memorable moments of the book is when Mr. Fogg cannot continue his travel by train from Bombay to Calcuta. At one point the rails end; and our gentlemen must find another way of transport until arriving to the next station. Finally he can buy an elephant; and on it, he covers this part of the journey. He also rescue Aouda, a young indian princess who was going to be killed in a funerary ritual. This princess will accompany him during the rest of travel.

• By sleigh. During the leg from San Francisco to New York Mr. Fogg's train suffers a Sioux attack. In this attack Passepartout (Mr. Fogg's servant) is kidnapped. Mr. Fogg rescues him with the help of the American cavalry; but he loses the train. So he must find another way of transport. The solution: a sail powered sleigh. They can arrive to Chicago just in time for catching the train which leads them to New York.

After many adventures, Phileas Fogg finally arrived to England. Do you remember the end of the story?