Cheryl


 * __Region 1 __**


 * __Morocco __**


 * __DAY 1 - May 16 __**

 Wow!!! I just won an all expense paid trip to Africa. I won this trip because I entered a drawing at my orthodontist for a free trip to Africa. This trip includes two days in ten countries of my choice. I can’t wait!!! The first country will be Morocco; did you know that they speak Arabic? On this trip I will be meeting up with my friends, Michaela and Abby. They have also won this trip, but from different businesses. Lets get started!!!

 I just got to the airport in Morocco. The flight took almost 28 hours to get here!! But we stopped twice on the way, once in Detroit and once in Paris. Now I can start my trip through Africa. The first day I will spend at Cascade d’Ouzoud with my friends; the second day we will go on a camel tour through the Erg Chebbi Dunes.

 Now I have arrived with my friends at Cascade d’Ouzoud, and the falls are beautiful! They are one of the most majestic waterfalls in Morocco. Did you know that they have a 100-meter fall? Wow!!!! This is truly an amazing sight to see.

While researching Morocco I found some very interesting facts, such as Morocco spans from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahara Desert, and that it has become a major player in African economic affairs. I also found a cool landmark to visit, the roman ruins in Volubilis.

-Cheryl J.



__**Day 2 - May 17 **__

 I can’t believe it; the first day seemed to just fly by. Did you know that the population of Morocco is only 1.1% Christian? The rest is 98.7% Muslim and 0.2% Jewish. Today after lunch I will be going on a camel tour in the Erg Chebbi Dunes. The tour started by riding camels into the Sahara Desert. At night we ate a traditional Moroccan meal of tajine and listened to the drums around the campfire. The best thing ever is seeing an oasis and the exotic wildlife.  Again I was researching Morocco and found out about the culture, history, and government. I found that standard Arab is the official language and that French is widely used in business. Did you know that Mohammed V successfully started the gradual restoration of Moroccan independence? Moroccan politics consists of a framework of parliamentary constitutional monarchy.

-Cheryl J. 

__**Tunisia **__

__**<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Day 3 - May 18 **__

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> This morning I arrived in Tunisia and I cant wait to see what it holds. Tunisia is 98% Muslim, 1% Christian, and 1% Jewish, very similar to Morocco. My first stop is at the Sahara Museum. Did you know that the Sahara Museum is the most recent Tunisian museum, and that it was founded in 1997? This museum focuses on the way of life led by nomadic tribes of southwest Tunisia. The items at the museum include jewelry and weavings. It is said that the museum is a good introduction to the desert before exploring it yourself.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> In my research on Tunisia I have discovered that Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco are part of a region called the Maghreb. I also found that Tunisia's economic growth depended on oil, phosphates, agriculture, and manufacturing. A great place to visit would be the roman ruins of Puput.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> -Cheryl J. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">


 * __<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Day 4 - May 19 __**

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> That museum was amazing but I have to move on with my trip. So I am on my way to Chott el-Jerid, a salt lake in southern Tunisia. It’s really cool because parts of it appear in shades of white, green and purple. Did you know that the life expectancy in Tunisia is 75 years? Tunisia is the smallest country in Africa, and a lot of its people live in the capital, Tunis. After I toured Chott el-Jerid, I headed over to the huge Amphitheatre of El Jem, one of the largest in the world. It is Roman ruins from the third century, and can hold over 35,000 people!

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> Wow! You can learn so much from researching all these countries. Today I learned that Arabic is the language used in schools and government, but French is spoken by almost everyone in Tunisia. Even more interesting, Tunisia was first settled by Phoenicions who went on to found the city of Carthage and other major settlements in the eighth and ninth centuries B.C. Tunisia was recognized as an independence state in 1956.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">-Cheryl J.

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**__Region 2__**
 * __<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Kenya __**

__**<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Day 5 - May 18th **__

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> Done with north Africa and on to east Africa. My first stop will be in Nairobi, Kenya. I will be going on the Oloolua Nature Trail. Did you know that Kenya has millions of acres set aside for its wildlife? The Oloolua Nature Trail is a favorite for visitors coming to hike, jog, or picnic in this peaceful setting. Along the trail close to the Mbagathi River, you encounter a 33-meter long cave. My friends Abby and Michaela are meeting me at a picnic site complete with benches to have some lunch. The best part of the whole trail is the 20-foot waterfall close to the forest entrance.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> I researched geography, landmarks, and the economy of Kenya and this is what I found. Kenya is about two times the size of the state of Nevada, and has a developing economy based on a free enterprise system. Nairobi is a good landmark to visit if you are coming to Kenya.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">- Cheryl J.

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 * __<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Day 6 – May 19th __**

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> I am on my way to Lake Nakuru National Park to see some exotic wildlife. Lake Nakuru is famous for the large flocks of flamingos that visit the lake regularly, attracted to the large amounts of algae along the shore. It also has lots of other wildlife, such as warthogs, baboons, giraffes, and 56 different species of mammals, including the black and white rhinos and buffaloes. Did you know that this park is 73 square miles? It consists of bush lands and savannahs surrounding mountains. Did you know that Kenya borders the Indian Ocean with beautiful white sand beaches?

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> Kenya's culture, history, and government are very interesting. In the culture the Kanga is a cloth that is in common use in almost every Kenyan home. In Kenya's history, when the Arab and African cultures mixed, Swahili emerged. Last of all the government has a president that serves as both head of state and head of the government.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">- Cheryl J.

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__**<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Zambia **__

__**<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Day 7 – May 20th **__

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> The Victoria Falls, can you believe it! A few years ago I would have never thought that I would be here in Africa at the gorgeous Victoria Falls, but it’s true, it is really happening. Did you know that copper is the key resource in Zambia, and that they are the world’s fifth largest producer of it? The Victoria Falls is a waterfall in southern Africa on the Zambezi River, and is located at the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Columns of spray can be seen from miles away. Did you know that 546 million cubic meters of water per minute plummet over the edge, at a width of nearly two kilometers, into a deep gorge over 100 meters below?

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> I researched zambia and found interesting facts about their government, landmarks, economy, culture, history, and geography. Starting with landmarks and government, a good place to visit is the Batoka Gorge near Victoria Falls. Did you know that Zambia is a republic, with a president like the United States and France? Next with geography and economy, Northern Zambia is filled with beautiful waterfalls. The Zambian economy has historically been based on the copper mining industry <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">. Lastly culture and history; about 68% of Zambians live below the recognised national poverty line, and since Zambia's independence in 1964, the country has had three constitutions.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">- Cheryl J.

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__**<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Day 8 – May 21st **__

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> I am back at the beautiful Victoria Falls. I can’t wait to see the other side of it. The best part of today will be the natural rock pool right on the edge of the falls. I can walk in and swim safely right to the very edge of the falling waters. What an experience! Did you know that over 85% of the nation of Zambia is below the poverty line? It is very special when the water is low enough to walk all the way across the lip of the falls to Livingstone Island. A cool fact about Zambia is that termite hills can get to be as big as a cottage!!!!

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">- Cheryl J.

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__** Region 3 **__


 * __<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Zimbabwe __**


 * __<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Day 9 – May 22nd __**

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> For my first day in Zimbabwe I will be going to the Imire Safari Ranch to go on an amazing adventure with perfect game viewing on foot or vehicle. Some of the wildlife that will be seen on this safari includes elephants, giraffes, rhinos and countless others. I am going on a daytime trip, which includes teas, lunch and game drives. I can’t wait to go and enjoy all the new things that come with this trip. Did you know that in the Shona language, Imire means 'The Meeting Place' or 'The Waiting Place'?

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> Through my research on this country I have found that the geography of Zimbabwe is of <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">a landlocked country laying in the tropics. Also, the economy shrunk significantly after 2000, resulting in widespread poverty and an 80% unemployment rate. Finally, a cool landmark is the great Zimbabwe Ruins in Masvingo.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">- Cheryl J.


 * __<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Day 10 – May 23rd __**

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> Wow!!! That safari was amazing and all of the animals that I saw were so cool. Now I am on my way to Antelope Park to see some different things and learn about them. At Antelope Park, I will be able to sit right next to lions on a lion walk and ride an African elephant.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> I have found in my research that soccer is the most popular sport here, and that Zimbabwe used to be called Rhodesia. I also found that the government of Zimbabwe was under constitutional changes in 2005.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">- Cheryl J.

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__** South africa **__


 * __<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Day 11 – May 24th __**

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> I had an amazing time on the lion walk at Antelope Park. Who would have thought that I would be walking right next to a real lion? I was only scared a few times!

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> At this moment I am in South Africa on my way to Table Mountain National Park; after this I will go to Johannesburg. Now that I am in Table Mountain National Park, I will be going on a climb up the mountain that will take four hours. I may also go on a beautiful forest walk. Table Mountain is actually one of the most famous landmarks in South Africa. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> While I was researching South Africa, I found that around the south coast are mild valleys where grapes, oranges, and apples grow. The economy of South Africa has a competitive advantage in the production of agriculture.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">- Cheryl J.



__<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">**Day 12 – May 25th** __

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> Golly, I can’t believe that I climbed Table Mountain for four hours. It was absolutely amazing and I had such a great time! My legs are a little sore from all of the climbing, it was very tiring.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> Now I am in Johannesburg and I am going to the Johannesburg Zoo to see animals like the Scimitar Oryx, Wattled Crane, Black and White Ruffed Lemur, White Rhino, Caracal, Porcupine, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Honey Badger, Striped Hyena, Siberian Tiger, African Hippo, Brown Bear Puff Adder Nile, Crocodile, Capybara (a large rodent), Giraffe, Fennec Fox, Andean Condor (a large predatory bird), and the Cheetah.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> I did more research on South Africa and found that they have 11 official languages, including English and Afrikaans, and that apartheid (a system of racial segregation) was ended in the 1990’s. In South Africa, only whites were allowed to vote in general elections from 1958 to 1994.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">- Cheryl J.



**__Region 4__**

**__Angola__**

__**<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Day 13 – May 26th **__

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> In Angola I will be visiting some very amazing places like Iona National Park. Did you know Iona Park is a national park in the Namibe Province of Angola, and that it is about 200 km from the city of Namibe? This is the largest national park in the country of Angola.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">I was researching Angola the other day and found some interesting facts about the geography, landmarks, economy, culture, history, and the government. I discovered that Angola includes a tiny exclave and province called Cabinda, and a good landmark to visit would be the Calendula Waterfall on the Lucala River. Angola’s main economic activity is agriculture. Angola was colonized by Portugal and ruled by them until gaining independence in 1975. Portuguese cuisine has had a significant influence on Angolan cuisine. The executive branch of government is composed of the president, the vice president, and the council of ministers.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">- Cheryl J.



__**<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Day 14 – May 28th **__

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> I am on to another national park to have fun and learn. Iona National Park is a national park in the Namibe Province. Angola has started plans to repopulate the park, which used to be a national hunting ground. Since they have begun this project, animal populations have grown considerably. The park is approximately 200 km from the city of Namibe, and is the oldest and largest park in the country.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">- Cheryl J.



__** Central African Republic **__

__**<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Day 15 – May 29th **__

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> I will be going to the Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park for two days in all. Its vast savannahs are home to a wide variety of endangered species, including the black rhino, elephant, hippopotamus, and red-fronted gazelle, as well as large concentrations of herbivores (plant-eating animals). This park will be a fun place to visit and explore while I see all the different wildlife.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;"> After Angola I researched the Central African Republic, or the C.A.R. I discovered that the climate of C.A.R. is usually tropical, and that a fun place to visit would be the Dzanga-Sangha National Park.The diamond industry accounts for 54% of export revenues. French is the official language of C.A.R., as it was a former French colony. They gained their independence from France in 1960. The government is a republic, with a legal system based on French civil law.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">- Cheryl J.

__** Day 16 – May 30th **__

Today I am going to use a second day to explore this park more thoroughly. Did you know that Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park is a world heritage site? The Manovo- Gounda St. Floris National Park was added as a World Heritage site following reports of illegal grazing and poaching by heavily armed hunters. Did you know that the hunters may have harmed as much as 80% of the park's wildlife?

- Cheryl J.



__** Region 5 **__

__** Mali **__

**__Day 17 - June 1st__**

In Mali I will be going to the National Museum of Mali. On March 30, 1956, the National Museum moved into a new cemented structure. Did you know that 65% of Mali's land is desert? A cool place to visit would be the Great Mosque of Djenne, the worlds largest mud brick building. Also did you know that the main exports of Mali are gold, cotton, and livestock?

- Cheryl J.




 * __ Day 18 - June 2nd __**

For my second day in Mali I will be visiting the Great Mosque of Djenne. The walls of the Great Mosque are made of sun-baked mud bricks, and decorated with bundles of rodier palm.Here's a fun fact; Mali's culture is a mix of the nomadic, Tuange, and fishing people of the Bozo tribe. The history of Mali is very interesting, did you that Mali was once part of three famed West African empires?

- Cheryl J.



**__Work cited page__**

"Angola - The Angola Kissama National Park Repopulation Project. | Africa Safari Blog." // Jenman Safaris Africa Safari Blog //. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 June 2013. <http://africasafariblog.com/?p=263>.

"From Merzouga: Overnight Camel Trek over Erg Chebbi Dunes, Merzouga." // Book Tours, Activities, and Things To Do | GetYourGuide //. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 June 2013. <http://www.getyourguide.com/merzouga-l1002/merzouga-and-erg-chebbi-dunes-t17851/>.

"Imire Safari Ranch in Marondera - My Destination Zimbabwe." // Your Local Travel Guide to Worldwide Destinations - My Destination //. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 June 2013. <http://www.mydestination.com/zimbabwe/safaris/1519/imire-safari-ranch>.

"Oloolua Nature Trail | Camping in Nairobi." // Living in Nairobi //. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 June 2013. <http://www.jambonairobi.co.ke/activities/caves-in-kenya/oloolua-nature-trail/>.

"Politics of Morocco - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." // Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia //. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 June 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moroccan_government>.

"Table Mountain National Park - SANParks - Official Website." // South Africa National Parks - SANParks - Official Website - Accommodation, Activities, Prices, Reservations //. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 June 2013. <http://www.sanparks.org/parks/table_mountain/>.

”Destination. "Zambia - Victoria Falls." // Zambia, home of the Victoria Falls //.

N.p., n.d. Web. 1 June 2013. <http://www.zambiatourism.com/travel/places/victoria.htm>.