Africa: Kenya & Morocco

Africa.... ready for the expedition? First stop.. Morocco...

Disney World Showcase showed us a rare side of Morocco..the rainy side!

Our camel caravan stopped in a Moroccan restaurant where the girls learned to dance!!

We then decked out in "Indiana Jones" exploration gear while we enjoyed the African drummers and artisans.

During our studies we discovered that Africa is a vast continent, still shrouded in mystery and ravaged by war and famine, yet so full of a huge variety of animal life and native cultures. Africa took extra time to study due to the expanse of it. We were only able to scratch the surface and focus on one country, Kenya, but tried to touch on a few of the others to compare and contrast. (ie. Morocco, Uganda, and Niger)

It was interesting to learn that even today, experts disagree on the number of countries actually in Africa. Many smaller countries are trying to declare their independence from surrounding larger countries who do not recognize them. We decided that there are about 57 as of 2010.

Africa seems to be a continent of unrest and extreme poverty due to corrupt governments, guerrilla warfare, and misplaced people groups (like the Lost Boys of Sudan and the families of Uganda). Yet in the midst of such sadness and suffering, there are pockets of great beauty and celebration.

One of these pockets of beauty is the wildlife. We studied native plants and animals then visited the zoo to get a more hands-on, close-up interaction with them. So we were off on our very own safari to the wilds of Africa!

"Luke Skywalker" got up close and personal with a crocodile who thought his foot was tasty!

Never fear.... sister "Padmae" is here to save the day and wrestle the croc!

After our own "Indiana Jane" subdued the reptile... she showed everyone how she was in control! (Like a ring-master with his head in the lions mouth!)

Speaking of lions... we were so close to the pride that one of them sniffed at "Padmae"!

We next visited the primates. Since we seem to act so much like them... they adopted us into their family right away. :) ha ha.

Before we left, the chief chimp thanked "Luke Skywalker" and made him an honorary

"top nit-picker"! (Hee hee)

We found a herd of giraffes and asked directions...

they pointed us to the elephants who were kind enough to give us a ride back to base camp.

When we returned home, we continued our study of some of the indigenous tribes. We decided to make our own ceremonial shields and masks. We painted them on both sides of a large recycled cardboard box then cut them out. We attached forearm and wrist handles for the shield and elastic to hold the mask in place. (kind of spooky isn't it!)

Then we went on a hunt ........ look out... you never know what could be hiding in the back yard!

We had so much fun and a lot of laughs! Our favorite memory was learning to play the African game of Mancala. It is still one of our favorite games today!

After "wandering in the dessert" for a while, like Moses.... we finally crossed over into a new land.... today it is called The Middle East. Join us!