Michaela

Dear Journal, June 2, 2013,  You’ll never believe this but I won a free trip to Africa. I won a contest for a hot dog eating contest (new record by me, 34 hot dogs in 20 minutes, oh yeah.) So I guess I’m going to Africa, whoo hoo. I leave in 10 days so I need to have my trip planned out soon. First I’m going to Morocco. There I’m going to spend one day at Cascades D’Ouzoud in Marrakesh. I almost forgot. Abby and Cheryl won the contest too. Abby won most eaten, it took her 1 hour to eat 65, and Cheryl won the contest for 13 year olds, since she is older then us. I can’t wait. Write Later, Michaela D

Dear Journal, June 12, 2013  Well I’m flying from the Lansing Airport into Marrakesh-Menara Airport. It’s going to take 21 hours and 50 minutes with 2 stops. I’ve got my pillow, my book, my magazine and I’m ready to go. Later, Michaela D.



Dear Journal, June 13, 2013  I am exhausted. I just found out it is very hard to sleep in an airplane. Right now it is 10:00 pm, which means it’s 2:00 pm in Michigan. You know what, no more time for me. I’m on vacation; I’m going to relax. Well, I’m at Pullman Marrakech Palmeraie Resort and Spa and I’m ready to sleep. Before bed though I want to tell you a little bit about Morocco. I flew in to Marrakesh I saw the Strait of Gibraltar, at least that’s what the pilot told me it was, and the farms around the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. I bet you didn’t know that Morocco borders both the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. I could tell from all the farms and no factories that food is a major Africa. I also learned that the liver is a symbol of true love is the liver and Tunisia was once a headquarter for pirates. Good Night, Mickey D.

Dear Journal, June 14, 2013 (Morocco Day 1)  So today I'm going to Cascades D'Ouzoud with Abby and Cheryl. Here is the website I used to find this trip. http://www.travel-exploration.com/tour.cfm/Ouzoud_Waterfalls It was awesome. We left the hotel around 9:00 am. and then saw the absolutely beautiful waterfalls. After exploring the falls we traveled up the river to the caves. Then was a delicious lunch of couscous and lamb kebabs, a very popular main dish in Morocco, with fresh squeezed orange juice. Afterwards we swam in the pools near the waterfalls. What was also cool was exploring the underground passages. Towards the end of the day we walked the trails smelling the pomegranate and oak trees while trying to see if we could find Barbary apes. Afterwards we went home. The only problem with this tour was that the only languages the main languages are Arabic, French and Berber. Although we had this problem it was easy to find someone to translate for us. This is a video of the falls, I wish you could see the rainbows. media type="youtube" key="9bpjkSMomFY" width="560" height="315" align="center"

 Right now I need to leave for Merzouga, the closest city to the Chebbi Dunes, where we are taking a overnight camel ride. It's a 7 hour and 25 minute drive and we are traveling in an open jeep which should be awesome. We should get to Merzouga at 3:00 am. Once we get there we will check into a hotel called Dar Tafouyte. We'll probably sleep until noon, or later, and then at around 3:30 we will leave for the Overnight Camel Trek over Erg Chebbi Dunes. I can't wait, it just seems like so much fun. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Well, write later, <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Michaela D.

<span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Dear Journal, June 15, 2013, <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I arrived in Merzouga about 10 minutes ago at 3:23, what a long drive. I just checked in to my hotel and it is splendid. The hotel rooms are fairly large and the bathrooms are clean and neat. Right now I’m am extremely tired so, goodnight. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Michaela D.

<span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Dear Journal, June 16, 2013, <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">(Morocco Day 2) <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> Right now I’m am sitting around the fire while everyone around me are playing the drums. I tried some mint tea, I didn’t like it, but Cheryl sure enjoyed it. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I’m going to tell you about my amazing trip. First we rode the camels over the sand dunes, it was bright. As we rode we saw a desert oasis and there we saw beautiful flamingos. For dinner we enjoyed tagine. Tagine is a traditional African stew made with vegetables, olives, lemon, garlic and spices and cooked in a tagine, a large, heavy African pot with a cone like lid. It was delicious, but I didn't eat the olives, yuck. After dinner we went sand-boarding. Sand-boarding is basically surfing on sand. We went downhill really fast and it was so much fun, until you fell. It stung quite a bit, but it was really fun. I did pretty good, if you consider falling every other time good. After surfing was the most stunning sunset I ever saw. The sky was a mix of deep yellow, light orange and even a shred of red as the sun seemed to melt into the sand dunes. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> The sky is full of stars now. I think I’m going to slip into my Berber style tent, a woolen cloth over pegs, and get some sleep. Night, <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Mickey <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">

<span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Dear Journal, June 17, 2013, <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> Sitting on my camel now, it’s kind of hard to write but I need to get this written down. I have experienced another beauty of nature, a sunrise. The morning sun hit the dunes making each dune a different color. Dark orange, neon orange, golden yellow, so wonderful. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> So today Abby, Cheryl and I split up. Cheryl and I are both going to Tunisia, but we have different plans, and Abby is going to Egypt. In Tunisia I’m going to El Djem and to Sidi Bou Said and doing different things at each spot. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">I’ll write later in a less jolty spot, <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Mic



<span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Dear Journal, June 18, 2013, <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I’m sitting in Moulay Ali Cherif Airport waiting for my flight. It should be fairly long. El Djem here I come. There, I’m going to tour the Amphitheatre. I’m also going to Douz where I’m going to the Central Market and Old Town <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Time to board, I’ll write in Tunisia. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Mic

<span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Dear Journal, June 19, 2013, <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">(Tunisia Day 1) <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I am sitting in my hotel room at Moevenpick Resort and Marine Spa. What a wonderful flight. I saw the Atlas Mountains that run along Tunisia’s northeast border with Algeria. There were also many factories. I was then told that the factories produce food products, textiles and oil products. I also found out that from 1881-1956 Tunisia was ruled by France. Ohhh... that explains why one of the official languages is French. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> Now I need to tell you about my wonderful day. I went to the Amphitheater. There I strolled through the tumbling halls of the ancient building. I also traveled down to the basement where the gladiators and animals were kept until they fought to the death. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> As I was walking around I saw natives eyeing me. I realized I was the only woman walking around wearing a tank top and shorts above my knees. I asked one of the tour guides and she told me woman in their country must wear clothes over their knees and arms. I then bought a beautiful, traditional dress that covered my knees and my arms. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I’m going to bed now because I have a 5 hour drive to Douz tomorrow. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Night, Michaela



<span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Dear Journal, June 20, 2013, <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">(Tunisia Day 2) <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I am in the car now on my way to Douz, Tunisia. 5 hour drive so I have a while. I can’t wait to see the huge market they have on Thursdays. It’s 5 am right now and I am still tired so I’ll write in the hotel. Mic <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> Later <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I love Douz. The market was amazing. There was many scarfs, and rugs and it was just awesome. I got a blue scarf with gold design and a waved hat with several beads in it. What was strange was there wasn’t many cars. I saw one car and a motor scooter, but most people rode on bikes. What was also cool was the money. I had to change my American money to Tunisian Dinars. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> After I was done at the market I went to Old Town Douz. IT was very old and as some people would say “very Tunisian.” I looked around for a few hours examining the beautiful, old architecture. But then it was time to leave for the Hotel. Man what a fun day. Well got to get to bed. Night <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> Mickey D.

<span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Dear Journal, June 21, 2013, <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">(Kenya Day 1) <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> Hey, chilling in Kenya. Long flight but we looped around from Tunisia and because of this I was able to sea Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast. I also saw beautiful coral reefs just offshore. I was just glad to find out that English was an official language, this is because the British made Kenya a colony after WW1. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> After I checked into my hotel I met up with Abby and Cheryl. Today I went to Lake Nakuru in Nakuru National Park. I saw so much wildlife. We first traveled up to Lake Nakuru and saw the beautiful pink flamingos swimming in the lake. We also saw warthogs, baboons, black rhinos (an endangered species), white rhinos (also endangered), lions, cheetahs, leopards and many more. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> Right now I am sitting in my hotel room enjoying the sight of Nairobi, where I am now. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Good Night, Michaela



<span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Dear Journal, June 22, 2013, <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">(Kenya Day 2) <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I am now in Nairobi on my way to Oloolua Nature trail. It should be so much fun. I will right later at the hotel. By the way, Kenya seems pretty poor. There are people everywhere leaving in just shacks, most people also farm. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Write Later, <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Michaela <span style="background-color: #c0c0c0; color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Later <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Dear Journal, <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> Today was AWESOME!!! The forest was so thick with vines and trees, it almost dampened the slight mummer of Abby, Cheryl and I. We traveled through the Oloolua trail to some stairs, which lead down to a riverside bench. All you could hear was water and birds, beautiful sounds. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> As we walked, we got closer to a cave we had heard about. We walked into the cave, flashlights on. We walked and… AHHHHH…. Just a few bats. We discovered caverns and a little plant growth. It was believed that Mau Mau freedom fighter lived in these caves during colonial times. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> We left the cave and walked past a swamp with papyrus trees growing close to it. We kept walking until we got to picnic area. There, we enjoyed a lunch of peanut butter & Jelly, and salami sandwiches. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> After lunch we got to experience the trail again as we trekked back to our car. What a wonderful day. I need to get my sleep for tomorrow though, so goodnight. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">-Mickey D.

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<span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Dear Journal, June 24, 2013, <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">(Uganda Day 1) <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I am in Uganda! Lolim, Uganda to be exact. It is actually quite mild climate here, unlike other African countries. I found out this was because of Uganda's high altitude. I also found out that the British ruled Uganda for most of the 1900s. During my flight I was able to see beautiful green mountains that rose out of Uganda's plateau-like land. I also noticed in my flight that there were very few factories but many farms, including subsistence farms, or farms that plant just enough to live. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I had a wonderful day today in ‪Kabarega National Park. Today I traveled to Murchison Falls. I first walked along the Nile River. The river stretches along for about 50 miles so I started at 8 miles away from the Falls. My, what a beautiful sight. I could hear the falls from about a half mile away and I knew it would be magnificent. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> The falls did not fall short of my imagination. The water bubbled over the rocks until it rushed to the edge. As it got to the edge the drop was amazing. So much water surging over the edge and crashing to the bottom, seeming to cut through the rock. As it travels the water splashes up the sides of the small little valley. It was magnificent. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> Along the river edge appeared elephants, giraffes, hippos and Nile crocodiles. I sat down to lunch with these animals as my companions and watched the rainbows formed by the river. What a nice day. Can’t wait to travel Kaniyo Pabidi Forest. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">-Mickey D.

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<span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Dear Journal, June 25, 2013, <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">(Uganda Day 2) <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I took a forest walk today in Kaniyo Pabidi Forest. Quietly, I traveled the well worn path, looking for wildlife. The woods were a roar with bird calls. I saw a spotted crake, one of Uganda’s 1061 species of birds. The forest was very thick once again. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> For lunch, the tour guide had packed us a lunch. In the lunch was a Ugandan delicacy, pan-fried grasshoppers. So what was I to do but try this treat. The grasshopper was crispy on the outside but kind of chewy on the inside. I dipped it in a spicy sauce and it brought the flavor to a new level. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> While I was traveling I heard the scream of monkeys, the thump of elephants and the growl of a leopard far away. This was a wonderful trip into a beautiful landscape. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> Write Later, <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Michaela Donahue



<span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Dear Journal, June 27, 2013, <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">(Mozambique Day 1) <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I am finally in Mozambique and I could tell during my flight that this is a flat country with lots of tropical forests. On my boat ride to Quirimba I saw a huge seaport, bustling with activity. I learned that these seaports are the main source of income for Mozambique. As I was walking around the port I heard a mix of different languages. Some I identified as African languages, others I just couldn’t tell. It was also cool to learn that Vasco da Gama once sailed to this beautiful country. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I have landed in Quirimba. What a beautiful island. Today I kayaked around the beautiful, turquoise water. The ocean was so clear that I could see fish and shrimp swimming about 15 feet below me. I had so much fun kayaking all alone. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> After about 3 hours of paddling I came to a sandbar. I was glad that I wore my swimsuit and excited to find that the sandbar wasn’t too deep. I carefully slipped out of the kayak, moored it, and took of swimming. The look beautiful from on the kayak, but looking underwater with a snorkel and goggles is a whole different world. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> The bright blue water shimmered off of the small fish, making them shine in the bright sun. I slipped through the warm water without a thought in my mind. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> 2 hours later I got back into the kayak and paddled back to the island. I was exhausted, but before I flopped onto the bed I made myself take a quick shower. What another wonderful day in Africa. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">-Michaela D. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">

<span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Dear Journal, June 28, 2013, <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">(Mozambique Day 2) <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> Today I took a trip on a dhow. My, what a ride. The dhow is basically a small boat powered by a sail. It was epic. There was a strong wind so we went fairly fast. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> Afterwards I went snorkeling around a coral reef. I actually came quite close to a sea turtle. I also saw a baby shark, I was just glad the mom wasn’t near by. I saw so many different species of fish and examined different coral formations. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> Even after that, I went diving in full scuba gear. With this equipment I was able to go down to the bottom of the sea and glance at the elegant white sand, perfectly smooth. I saw deeper sea animals such as stingrays. Oh…my…gosh, I was breathless, which is not good when your only oxygen can come from a tank attached to your mouth. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> Once again, I am exhausted. Swimming definitely drains you. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> - MICKEY D. :) <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">

<span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Dear Journal, June 30, 2013, <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">(South Africa Day 1) <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I’M FINALLY IN SOUTH AFRICA. WOOOOOOO HOOOOOO. Fact time- As you can tell by the name South Africa is south, the southernmost country in Africa. To the Northwest is the Namib Desert. South Africa is the most industrious country in Africa and is also the world’s largest supplier of gold. I also found out that this country has 11 official languages. It was cool to find out that in the 1600s the Dutch, German, Belgian and <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I spent my day today in Cape town with Abby and Cheryl. We went to Table Mountain National Park. We first traveled up to Table Mountain on a cable car. Traveling up I could view all of this majestic mountain and the wonderful scenery around it. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> After wards we went to Cape of Good Hope and watched the power of two different oceans clashing together in what seems like a war between two forces of nature. It was gorgeous. After that we were tired, but before we went home we asked a group of street performers to sing their National Anthem, God Bless Africa, in their native tongue. It was beautiful and almost brought tears to my eyes. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Another wonderful day gone. Mic

<span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Dear Journal, <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">(South Africa Day 2) <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I Love JOHANNESBURG. I got up close with lions and saw a soccer game and ohhhhhhhh it was so much fun. Let me tell you about my day. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> So first I took a 45 minute drive to the Lion Park. Once there, I seriously lost my breath. Lions, just yards away from me. At first I was scared to death, but I got closer, he just minded his own business. I stood there watching him, he just stared back at me. It was amazing, a stare down with a lion. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I wandered through the rest of the park observing cheetahs, giraffes, other lions and even lion cubs in their natural habitat. It amazed me and left me breathless and … it was just spectacular. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> After the lion park I went to FNB Stadium, the same place where the 2010 FIFA World Cup were held. There I watched South Africa take on Cape Verde in an awesome game. Although I enjoyed watching the game, I did find the Lion Park a little more exciting. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Well, Goodnight, <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Mickey D. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">media type="custom" key="23169544" align="left" <span style="border: 0px none currentcolor; color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">

<span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Dear Journal, July 3, 2013, <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">(Angola Day 1), <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> Welcome to ANGOLA! I picked up a brochure on Angola and I and read all about this country. Angola has hilly grasslands in the north and rocky deserts in the south. 85% of Angolans make their living through subsistent farming. I also found it interesting that 50% of Angolans have a Roman Catholic faith. I also found out that Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> Today I visited Iona National Park with Abby, Cheryl and Abby. Another beautiful part of Africa. We first hiked over to Posto do Iona and then to Tchamalinde Mountains as well. These mountains and peaks were very tall. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> Walking through this park we explored sand dunes, coastal pans and the river basin. We saw springbok, ostrich, kudu, zebra, klipspringer, impala, and Quelengue. We also saw Ludwig bustard, Cape Gannet, Lesser flamingo, Rueppel’s parrot, Gray Lark, African penguin and the Cindrella waxbill which are a few of the 114 bird species recorded in this national park. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I really enjoyed another trek through another wonderful national park in Africa. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">-Michaela D.



<span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Dear Journal, July 5, 2013, <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">(Angola Day 2) <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> Today I took a trip to Kissama National Park. I was excited to tour the roughly 1.2 million hectares of land. It was cool to find out that the Atlantic Ocean forms the Park’s 120 km long western border. I also found out that Kissama, aka Quiçama, was established as a game reserve in 1938, Quiçama was only proclaimed a National Park on 11 January 1957. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> Walking through the Park I hoped to see Dwarf forest, roan antelope, eland, bushbuck, waterbuck, as well as the manatee, marine turtles and tarpin have been sighted in Quiçama. I also was upset to find out that civil war, poaching and other factors have destroyed the once teeming herds that roamed the Park. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I enjoyed catching another glimpse of African wildlife. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">-Mic



<span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Dear Journal, July 7, 2013 <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">(Congo Day 1) <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">, <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I am now in Congo. Read a book on Congo and found out a lot of information. A plain runs along the Atlantic coast of Congo. This plain then rises to low mountain ranges and plateaus. Congo’s economy relies on the export of lumber. Congo’s food combines a mixture of fresh vegetables, poultry, bush meat and sea food. In 1880 Pierre Savorgrande Brazza established French control. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> In Congo I first visited Brazzaville where I saw Basilica of Sainte Anne of the Congo. There, I wandered the corridors until I entered the Chapel. This chapel was an example of beautiful French architecture. This building is an important religious monument in Central Africa. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> After touring the Basilica, I went to Musee National du Congo, or the Ntaional Museum of Congo. There was a decent amount of Congolese artifacts and art. To me the art was beautiful but I found the exhibits a bit boring. All they showed was times when the French ruled. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> That was my day. Will write tomorrow. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Mickey



<span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Dear Journal, July 8, 2013, <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">(Congo Day 2) <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> I spent today at Pointe Noire. Man was it fun! I swam in the warm water and Walked on the white beaches. Afterwards I walked to the Port and watched everybody bustling around on daily business. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> The boats were magnificently large. I was staring at one so intently with a face of amazement that one captain offered to give me a tour of the merchant boat. He first showed me the Monkey Island, or a place where all the antenna and transmission and reception units antennas are situated. it is located just above the ship's navigational bridge. He then showed me the Navigation Bridge, the Crew Accommodations Deck, the Funnel Deck, the Boat Deck, the mess room, the smoke room, the galley (Kitchen), the weather deck, the upper deck, the stem, the stern, the forecastle deck, the poop deck, the forecastle store and lastly the ships cargo gear. I was blown away by the ship. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> After the tour I took another walk down the beach checking out the food stands and buying myself a Congolese meal. I then went back to my hotel. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> It was another long day and is now time for me to go to bed. <span style="color: #1d7bac; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">Night, Mic

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