Robbie


 * West Africa **

** Mali ** **Day 1:** I Just flew into Mali on my trip to Africa. This is a country with a republic government. It is one of the most poor countries. It is dependent on agriculture so there is lots of farmland. It may be poor but it seemed very educational and a very wonderful place. Just looking down from the plane on the land amazed me with its forests and country land. I did choose this county for one reason: my friend, that I met at a camp, came from here. He told me it was very interesting and now that I won this it was a chance to see what he was talking about. I went to the National Museum of Mali to see the history and people of this county. I read that there were very interesting routs that are still passing through Mali since A.D. 300. I also wanted to know some more about the culture and when it was a French colony.



**Day 2:** When I did some research I found an African musician with the name Toumani Diabate. My luck has already started in this awesome continent because I also found that this man was playing in concert the next day. So I went to see him and it was not what I expected. Instead of everyone jumping and being excited they were still and waited to clap after the music. It seemed as if they respected the music. First two days down and they were great. I’ll get back when I go to the country Guinea.

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** Guinea ** **Day 3:** I just arrived in Guinea on my third day in Africa. Instead of flying I just hired someone to drive me across the border. I don’t mean to make it sound like Mali was a bad country but it wasn’t the most comfortable ride. I did choose to come to this county for the landscapes. It has many different landscapes including a great plain and a mountainous region. In this mountainous region there is a rainforest. This country has a Republic government and does happen to have a light manufacturing industry. They have this along with agriculture and mining and because of their mining industry they are richly endowed in minerals. For my first day here I’m going to visit the Grand Mosqué. Even though I do not appreciate Islam I do love the way the building was built was built.



** Day 4: ** Well that was a very interesting trip to the Grand Mosqué. The worship they use is very different from my culture. In fact it made me feel like I was in a different world. Now the way back I was thinking to go to one of the amazing landforms that belong to Guinea. The one I really wanted to see is the great Mount Nimba. So I did. I hiked up the great mountain and the view was amazing. Well this was my trip to Guinea but my trip isn’t over yet. My next stop is in the north Africa regain and I will first visit Morocco.



**North Africa **

** Morocco **

**Day5:** I just flew in from Guinea into Morocco. Morocco is a mostly Muslim with only 1.1% Christianity in the country. It has a constitutional monarchy for a government. There major exports are food and beverages. Morocco is on two bodies of water and is mostly a fertile, coastal plain. I have to say where I landed was very interesting. It was near a Bazar or marketplace. Can you believe it? I fly in and I already see something interesting. After getting some delicious fruits I went to visit the Azilal Village. The Ouzoud waterfalls are amazing. They are so much larger comparing to the waterfalls I have ever seen. Plus at the right time the sun hits the mist of the water and makes multiple rainbows at once.

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**Day 6:** I think I stayed at the coolest place ever last night. One family at the Azilal Village let me stay in their house for the night until tomorrow morning. I got to stay in a house at the actual Azilal Village. What is cool is that they also had a special dinner for my stay. I got a special Moroccan dinner. Well after that wonderful stay I went on my way to the Great and historic city of Marrakech. I found it interesting that it was made out of mostly stone. I also heard outside the city it might be dangerous so when I arrive I’ll be pretty cautious.



Wow this city was HUGE! There are so many shops and people having fun in the streets dancing and being happy. Unlike the Bazar it was the biggest shopping place I have ever seen. And when I arrived it wasn’t dangerous so I do recommend this. Well that was my stay in Morocco. I’ll be back when I arrive in Tunisia.

** Tunisia ** **Day 7:** Well that was the most scary landing I have ever been on this whole trip. The runway was just dirt and I thought we were going to crash! Good thing we didn’t though. Well this country looks interesting with the ocean. It is a Republic country with a quite good economy. It has much to get from including agriculture, mining, tourism and oil products. It is on the It’s a good thing they include good tourism because that’s what I’m going to do. Especially when I go to the great Mosqué of Aghlabid. I like these churches only for the way they look with the cool decorations. Not the religion thought. Like I said before I don’t appreciate it. I think I like the one in Mali better.




 * Day 8: ** Once again I went to a Muslim service. This service seemed more interesting thought because of the decorations they used in the service. Well now that it’s over I’m on my way with my chaperone to the ancient city of Dougga. I’m starting to like these cities. Especially this one. It seems very unique. Well next I'm going to the country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in central Africa.



**Central Africa **

**Democratic Republic of the Congo **


 * Day 9: ** I just flew into the Democratic Republic of the Congo and I think this is going to be an amazing stay here in this big country. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has a Republic government. I found that obvious especially since it is in the name. It exports gold, oil, and diamonds. Those are just some of the major exports. It’s minor is copper and zinc. It has 200 different ethnic groups and the main language is French. It is 75% Roman Catholic and all exciting!! Today I am visiting the great Zongo Falls. These remind me so much of Niagara Falls only because they seem a little colored. I am also meeting my good friend Brett here. I almost pushed him in. That was funny. The next day we are going to Lake Tanganyika, the longest lake in the world. We are going there early in the morning, going halfway down the lake and getting off to get some rest and part ways to go to our next countries.

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**Day 10:** Brett and me arrived at the lake at 7:00 am central African time. I think this is going to be one of the longest trips I have been on the water. On the longest lake in the world too! Right now it is 10:00 am and we are only a quarter of the way of our trip. I think I may go for a swim just to cool off because it is HOT here.



Well we are at the end of our trip on the lake. I did go for a swim but when I was getting into the boat I started falling back and pulled Brett into the water with me. Woops. We went back to the hotel and hung out a while and then we parted for our next countries. I’ll write back when I arrive in Gabon.

** Gabon **
 * Day 11: ** I just flew into Gabon with an extraordinary view of Cirqué de Léconi. It’s funny because that is exactly where I first chose to go when I arrived here. Only because it is close to the airport. Gabon is a Country with a Republic government. It’s exports mostly come from crude oil. It is suffering from deforestation but is still mostly covered with tropical rainforests. Still a lot of people remain poor. It has more then 40 different ethnic groups and 60% Christian or Roman Catholic. It won independence from France. That is why its main language is French. This country has a quite hot climate because the equator goes right through it. Its interior land is mostly hilly and that is where I am starting off today. Cirqué de Léconi is right on this hilly interior and it seems to be amazing. I think it was made by erosion either from water getting in between the rocks or boulders rolling down the hill.


 * Day 12: ** Today I am visiting the Cathedral of St. Michael. One of my favorite buildings are cathedrals and I like looking at the designs put into them. I also like the stuff they put into the cathedrals like the gold and organs. I’m going to attend a service here but it wont be different. Maybe a little bit but it’s all Christian like our services. Look at this Cathedral they tricked it out with lights and the designs are more awesome then I have seen in my life. Well I’ll be back when I visit my next region eastern Africa when I stop in Kenya.

** East Africa **

** Kenya **


 * Day 13: ** Today I am meeting my friend Wesley on the plane. We are going to Kenya together and going too two landmarks, one for each day. Kenya is two times the size of Nevada. The whole west side of the country is islands with the Great Rift Valley in it. In its economy it runs a free enterprise system. The country’s economy is still growing and developing. Its government is a republic but use to be a dictatorship. Arab settlers settled in Kenya and blended their culture. That is why its main language is Arabic. There are 40 different ethnic groups in this county and some belief in Harambee. Once some of the land of Kenya belonged to the British and was a British colony from 1895 to 1963. In the 1940’s they fought the British and won some of the land of Kenya back. Well in this wonderful country Wesley and I are at the Nairobi National Museum. It is interesting here. It shows some of Kenya’s history and some of the animals that use to live here. There was this monkey thing that reminded me of what scientists think about evolution. It had mostly a human face. Well that was my first day in Kenya I’ll get back to you tomorrow.




 * Day 14: ** I woke up today to go to the Great Rift Valley. I went to get Wesley and he was still sleeping. I also couldn’t get him up so I just left with a note on his pillow saying “I left see you back in America.” So when I arrived at the Great Rift Valley I was amazed at what the earth plates can do. This thing is HUGE. I do like the Grand Canyon better but that’s different. Well that is my stay in Kenya. I will write back when I arrive in the great country of Ethiopia.



** Ethiopia **


 * Day 15: ** Today I just arrived in Ethiopia. This country is twice the size of Texas. It ranges from hot lowlands to high, cool mountains. This country’s economy is mostly based on agriculture and is very fast growing. Its government is a Federal Republic and use to be a dictatorship. There are more then 80 different ethnic groups and almost 80 languages. Amharic is Ethiopia’s main language. In the 300’s A.D. Ethiopia accepted Christianity. Well, today I am going to Erta Ale. I have to say the sight of the lava is amazing and very bright. Today I am also going to Harar. This city seems very poor but I like the agriculture. Well that is my first day in Ethiopia and I will get back to you tomorrow.




 * Day 16: ** Today I am going to Aksum. This isn’t really interesting to me but I got to learn what it means. Aksum is a big pillar with cool designs that I found a little interesting. I didn’t stay here very long but I went to a great restaurant and went on a hike for a little bit on the Semien Mountains. Well that was my whole trip to Africa. I did love visiting here and it was worth the trip. Hoped you liked learning about my trip.