Elizabeth



 Dear Diary,  I guess I should start with how I got to Morocco. I entered a contest that I’d found in a magazine article about… four weeks ago to win a free trip to five countries in Africa. I won that contest and then I found out I could bring three friends. I took my two friends Jennifer and Sarah and my best friend Anna. We are all starting in Morocco, which is one tenth larger then California, and are meeting in Zimbabwe.

 **Day 1**: Today I went to Rabat it is a place with beautiful gardens, it has been here since a.d 46 then the Arabs invaded it in about 685. It was the home of the Berbers Empire since before 1000 b.c. Also, the Atlantic coast has plains of olives, citrus fruits. These are major exports. I also went to a palace that is known for it's amazing architecture.



 **Day 2:** Have you seen the movie “Casablanca”? Well here the culture is exactly like that movie. The culture is like olden-day 1960's and it's rich in ethnic groups. I am staying in the town that the movie was made in!!!!!!! Personally I have never seen the movie but I hope to see it soon. It was created by the Warner Bros and was set in WW2. Isn't that so cool!  I am staying in amazing hotel called the Hyatt Hotel that is nine stories high. I am on the seventh floor.



 **Day 3**: I went to some old ancient ruins from Rome and the holy city of Moulay Idriss. When I got to Moulay Idriss, which I found was named after a saint, I visited his tomb. His tomb is located between two hills,,to show his leadership and powerfulness in his time. At first it was freaky but then it was really cool! He was a Muslim missionary who ruled Morocco in the eleventh century. Today he is known as a religious prophet. He died of poisoning in 792.



 Now I am headed to Uganda.

Dear Diary, I’m sad to be leaving Morocco, but super excited to be going to Uganda.


 * Day 1**: Today I went to the Masai Mara Safari. I saw beautiful plants and animals like the elephant! I got to ride on an elephant. I saw the wildebeest migrate. its one of the main parts of the tour. It is when over one million wildebeest migrate to Uganda! The plants are gorgeous, like the White Jungle flower and my favorite the Red-Orange flower. Uganda is twice the size of Pennsylvania and lies on the equator. No wonder it’s so hot!!!!  




 * Day 2**: I went on a tour called The Enchanting Uganda. I saw the beautiful beaches and interesting people. The people love to paint, write poetry and see plays. About 15 people offered sweet potatoes because it is the most common food here. On the tour I learned that Europeans first explored Uganda in the 14th century as well as the Arabs in 1844. Also, the growth rate is 9%. The major import is medial supplies and capitol equipment. The major exports are fish, coffee, tea, and gold. I saw beautiful ponds, rivers, animals and plants.<span style="color: rgb(245, 20, 20)">




 * Day 3**: I love the Ngoronogro Crater (I went to it today!!!!!) <span style="color: rgb(221, 8, 8)"> <span style="color: rgb(247, 24, 24)"> The crater is over 3100 miles long. It is one of the most tourist areas in Uganda. It is also the world's largest heritage site since 1979 and has a cool sparking Soda Lake in the middle of the crater. Also the eighth natural wonder of the world, because it is not man-made and naturally beautiful. It used to be a volcano before it exploded and collapsed about two million years ago (according to scientists) and was the second tallest mountain in the world.

I'm headed off to Mali!!!!!

Dear Diary, Goodbye Uganda, Hello Mali!!!!!!!!


 * Day 1**: I’m staying in a beautiful hotel called the Ivory Lodge!!! It’s in the deep mystical forests of Hwange. It is known as the place of elephants. It is because here herds of elephants gather here. The lodge lies in the most of the Sahara Desert just like most of Mali. It is also four-fifths the size of Alaska. The Lodge has beautiful ivory statues of elephants and other animals. Today I asked if they took the ivory from the tusks of live elephants. The said of course not, that is cruel!! That made me very happy, because it is cruel that they would do that to live animals.




 * Day** **2**: Today I went to the Mowani Mountain Camp. It lies between the Ugab and Huab rivers. Even thought the camp is rich in resources and money, Mali itself is not rich. It is a poor country, but it is rich in heritage. For centuries, it was the crossroads for great caravans during the ancient kingdoms of Mali, Ghana, and Songhai. Slaves, gold and ivory were the most traded and valuable in Mali. They were traded for weapons, salt and precious jewels. I read all this from the poster that is in the check-in desk. Some of the nature resources are water and gold.




 * Day 3**: I went to 510 Ingleside today, it is a chain of small hotels. It is situated by the Twelve Apostles Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. My room is very easy to relax in. You can tell that everything is carefully selected, from the furniture to the artwork! I had a bowl of rice for dinner, which can be explained because rice is the main export. The main import is construction equipment. Most things here revolve around the Festival in the Desert, which is basically a really big party in the middle of the desert!! The party is to celebrate life. There is dancing and eating.



Guess where I’m going next… Congo

Bye Mali, Hola Congo


 * Day 1**: I’m in Swartberg Country Manor. It is a small, comfortable, beautiful hotel. It also has an amazing view of a small mountain range called Swartberg Mountains. But other then some mountains, most of Congo is made up of rainforests. Congo is also in West Africa. This causes the main export, wood. Lumber is cut down of the rainforests. Which destroys animal’s habitats. Which is mean and unnecessary.




 * Day 2**: Today I am in the “Grand Canyon” of Africa. It’s called the Diosso Gorges. It was formed by the natural crash of the ocean. It is voted the most beautiful sight in Congo. It is made naturally made by the earth. It is one of the main tourist place in Congo. Today I found out that Congo was know for its past trades in slavery. Leopold (the king years ago) held a speech against freedom in 1890. But still soldiers were just taking people including kids and beating them, and then made them be there slaves. The beating stopped and slavery was forbidden in the early 1920s.




 * Day 3**: I love to swim, which is a good thing cause I am in Loango Beach. Its is a beautiful beach that is a very popular place known for it’s national parks, beach, and city. I swam**,** and rode a horse down the beach it was so fun! Everywhere I go I see people playing soccer. Soccer is the most common thing. I gave five dollars to a drumming band. Drumming is very popular here.

I'm so sad to be leaving Congo, but I’m excited to go see my friends in Zimbabwe.

I’m in Zimbabwe and I get to see all my friends.


 * Day 1**: Today I went to Victoria Falls. It is a chain of small falls that combines into one large body of water. Zimbabwe is smaller then California but yet still large. I found out that the lands earliest settlers were warriors from North Africa. Africa ‘s government today is building up to be a great nation.




 * Day 2**: I’m in Motobo National Parks. It is giant boulders that look like cool sculptures. But they’re not really. I went shopping with Sarah and her friend Kalai she’s really smart and fun to be around. They met in Mali. When I was looking a shirt Kalai told me it was made out of cotton, Zimbabwe’s main export. She also helped me pick out a beautiful hand made necklace.




 * Day 3**: My last day, and I’m spending it in Mana Pools National Parks. We saw a celebration called Kurova Guva it is celebrated after a person dies in memory of them. They celebrate by talking and doing things that the person that died liked to do. I had white cornmeal in every meal today because it is so popular. I can’t believe I’m leaving Africa. I love Africa and will miss everything about this place. Well time for me to pack. Long journey home.



Goodbye Africa