Igbo Religion

9/25/09 3:30pm



The Ibos are very religious. These polytheistic people worship many gods. They believe that there are three levels of sacred beings: the highest level is the supreme god, next lesser gods, and under these arethe spirits of dead people. The Ibos also believe in reincarnation. When someone dies, he or she starts a new life in the spirit world. After a time in the spirit world, a dead person would be reborn as a new person and the cycle would continue on. Each village has priests and priestesses who conducting ceremonies and rituals. And since the Ibos believe that everything in life is controlled by higher powers, there are also villages that attempt to predict the future. Wow I might side with them because this sound like a fun religon.

Igbo Language

9/25/09 6:30pm



The language of the Ibos is very interesting. It is derived from a group of languages commonly found in West Africa, the Kwa languages. It is based a lot on pitch, vocal inflections, and context when defining the meaning of a word. A single word can have numerous meanings depending on these factors. Idioms and proverbs play an important role in the Ibo language. Someone who does not use them in speech is considered a novice at speaking the language. I'm just going to keep quiet because I can't speak any of their language.

Igbo What I Learned

9/27/09 10:27pm




I hope you learned as much as I have. I personally love the religon thing was the coolest, living again and again? I think that this culture is my favorite because it is the most interesting in my taste and I will look up on it more. If you want to also here's a link for more information: http://www.africaguide.com/culture/tribes/ibo.htm

Igbo Daily Life

9/24/09 10:21am



Village life for the Ibo pgeople is like many other villages in Africa, but still unique in an Igbo way. The usual popualtion of the villages are anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand people. A very cool thing about these villages is that there is no single ruler or king that controls the population. Decisions are made by including like, almost everyone in the village. The Igbos work in individual actions to improve community living. I wish we had somthing like this in Des Moines.

Igbo Clothing

9/23/09 4:57pm



Okay I have a tour guide this time so my information is going to be more informational. The heat of Africa would pretty much single out the type of clothing worn by native people. The Igbos wear little to nothing when there 1-15. When they're older they usually weat loose fitting clothes and cotton shirts and wrap cloths around themsleves in various ways and also wrap cloths around they're heads. I think these clothes are so awesome and colorful that I'm going to buy some for my self see you soon!!

I'm Heading to Lagos!

9/21/09 7:32pm

Well I'm on the train now and I'm going to miss Nigeria and James, but I'm on a new adventure to Lagos. All this cultural stuff has gotten me really interested in it so I'm going to Lagos to study the Igbo culture. So before I got what did you learn? I found out that they eat a lot of different foods because of their resorces like Grains, corn, beans, meats like, fish, shrimp, poultry, goats, sheep, pigs, cattle, and other foods and stews like yams, plantains, corn, cassava, and taro. Also that there are rights of passages and a lot of cerimoines to celerbrate things such as victory or a good harvest. Well the train is starting to move and I will for sure loose my wifi so got to go see you in Lagos!!!

But if you want to find out more about this culture, here's a link: http://www.molli.org.uk/yoruba/1_about_yoruba/index.htm

9/21/09 2:48pm

Yams are the most important food for the Yoruba in their homeland Nigeria. Grains, corn, beans, meat, and fish are also eaten. livestock are poultry, goats, sheep, pigs, and cattle are raised as livestock. Large rivers, and the Adlantic ocean provide fish and shrimp for the Yoruba people. The Yoruba make stews out of yams, plantains, corn, cassava, and taro. And I ate some of this stew, honestly I don't love exsoitic food so I stuck with the corn heh. Well I'll check back in when I get to Lagos, Bye!!

Cerimonies and Rights of Passage

9/21/09 1:37pm

I'm back and James' brother has to go through this right of passage thing later today, what I mean is when it comes to leader’s people do a series of events to see if they are eligible to become a figure in authority, kind of like a right of passage. In addition to rites of passage, amazing festivals where they wear masks and dance are performed to celebrate harvest or victory in a war or battle. Were going to see this festival after we eat the lunch missed so were going to the market so we can see what's cookin' talk to you then!

Where do the Yoruba live?

9/17/09 10:05pm

Well me and James have been catching up for the last hour but I did learn some stuff right off the bat. First of all Most of the Yoruba people live on the west coast of Africa in Nigeria, Benin, Togo and because the a lot of the slaves brought to the Americas from West Africa, the Yoruba people can also be found in Brazil, Cuba, the Caribbean, the United States and Europe, particularly Britain. Wow thats a lot of people!!!

Going to West Africa to see the culture Yoruba

9/15/09 6:29pm

Hey I’m back to traveling all over the place again, and now I’m in West Africa!!! There are a lot of cultures here but one I’m particularly interested in the culture Yoruba; so I’m going to tell you all about it. My Dads best friend Eric lives in West Africa with his son James. And lucky me I have James to show me around this amazing culture and place. When my plane lands I'll make another post but this is a 46 hour flight so see you in two days!

Santiago, Chile

Hey I'm in Santiago, Chile! I came here too see the Andes Mountains. Joe and I love to hike in 2004 we went to Colorado and climbed the Rockey's and tonight we're going to climb the Andes. Were on our was right now I'm taking pictures as we drive by beautiful mountains. There's an image I took ( its over there→) , I like it here a lot. Well I'm going to climb my hearts out now so see ya soon at my next stop Buenos Aries.

• #1 This country is the narrowest country in at least South America.
  


• #2 The lowest recorded temperature was 30' F
  


• #3 The highest recorded temperature was 102' F
  


• #4 On the 12th of February this country gained its independence.
  


• #5 Santiago is Chile’s major industrial and agricultural region. ( Industry)
  

Here's a website for more information:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santiago,_Chile

Callanan in Des Moines, Iowa

Yay!!! I'm back home! Even though the trip awesome I still am so excited to see my family, friends, and teachers. I had so much fun though!!! My favorite place to visit was honestly Dublin, Ireland. My brother was especially happy He's crazy for Irish girls =P. But anyway I'm glad to be back and I'm happy that I wrote this blog on the way so I can show my teacher Mr. Lowe where I've been.

Dublin, Ireland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey I'm in Dublin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm very excited!!! First we checked into the hotel and then we went down town and Joe got to see the Guinness building and I was just happy to be in my blood country =D. Now sorry this entry is shorter than usual but I have to get into a taxi I get to see my Great Grandmas grave so see you back in Iowa next time I post a blog bye!!!!

• #1 I'm more than 50% Irish.
  
• #2 I have a very Irish name.
• #3 Largest city in Ireland.
  
• #4 Also the capital of Ireland.
  
• #5 has one of the fastest growing populations of any European capital city.

Here's a link for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dublin,_Ireland

Bergen, Norway

Hey I'm in Bergen! I found my aunt Ruth here! So were going to stay with her. We all go to the beach a lot and I made a lot of new friends there. I don't want to leave because I do love being in one of my 'blood' country's but the next place is going to be the best I can tell, Its DUBLIN, IRELAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• #1 Population of 253,600.
• #2 Celebrated its 900th anniversary in 1970.
• #3 Bergen's inter-municipal harbour is by far Norway's largest port and one of Europe's largest ports.
• #4 I'm 25% Norwegen.
  
• #5 One of there main sports is Football.
  

Here's a link for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bergen,_Norway

Stockholm, Sweden

Hey I'm in Stockholm! Yay another city that's in my blood! I love the architecture here the buildings are so awesome! Joe and I went in at least 40 and now were back at the hotel writing letters and emails saying we'll be home soon only two more stops. The next one is Bergen, I have to start packing so see you when I get to Sweden!

• #1 Stockholm is the Capitol of Sweden.
  
• #2 Stockholm is the largest city in Sweden.
  
• #3 Stockholm, with a population of 818,603 in the city.
• #4 with 1.25 million in the urban area-
  
• #5 - and around 2 million in the metropolitan area.

Here's a link for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm,_Sweden

Paris, France

Hey I'm in Paris!!! Strangely This was the easiest place to speak to people because I speak French and It was funny talking to people and Joe staring in wonder thinking about what I was saying. I like it here a lot because the food is delicious even Joe thinks so. I'm going to save some pastries and hope they last so I can give some to my friends back in Iowa. So I'm going to go gather food see ya in Stockholm.

• #1 Paris is the capitol of France.
  

• #2 Paris is the country's most populated city.

• #3 Paris has a population of 11,769,433 ( January 2006 )
  

• #4 Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

• #5 There are numerous iconic landmarks among its many attractions.

Here's a link for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris,_France

Hamburg, Germany

Hey I'm in Hamburg! Joe and I went back and forth across the bridge in the picture about 8 times just because the wind was strong and we had a convertible, so we just had to. But anyway we were exploring the city that's in our blood and trying to find any relives that still live here. Were going to go search the city again, so I'll check in when I get to my next stop Paris, France!

• #1 Is the sixth-largest city in the European Union.
  
• #2 The city is home to approximately 1.8 million people.
• #3 Hamburg is a City-State.
  
• #4 The city is a major tourist destination both for domestic and overseas visitors, receiving about 7.4 million overnight stays in 2007.
• #5 Tourists play a significant role in the city's economy.

Here's a link for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamburg,_Germany

Beijing, China

Hey I'm in Beijing! Here I am at the Great Wall of China. Joe and I have our ipods in our ear and were dancin' and slidin' down the rest of the great wall acting very silly. Eariler we were exploring some awesome sights in the rest of Beijing and hanging out at the hotel and I made some friends and picked up some anime books for my friends Cindy and Lynn. Ohh gotta go good dancing song is on! I'll post again when I get to Hamburg, Germany!

• #1 Beijing is China's second biggest city.
  
• #2 Average high is 78' F.
  
• #3 Average low is 58' F.
  
• #4 Beijing nearly US$17 billion was spent to clean the air.
• #5 China results in seasonal dust storms that plague the city.

Here's a link for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing,_China

Kingston, Australia

Hey I'm in Kingsoton! We're ( Joe and I) are at the beautiful Kingston Beach. I'm soaking up the sun while Joe is flirting with beach girls. I like it here a lot and I might come again I also have a friend who lives around here so I'd better see him soon. Today was very lazy... just listening to music and sipping lemonade, but this is good for me because i have a long trip tomorrow, all the way to Beijing, China see ya when I get there. =D

• #1 It one of the fastest growing regions in Tasmania.
• #2 Kingston was proclaimed a township in 1851.
• #3 Kingston has close ties with the Dutch community.
• #4 Kingston is home only to six schools.
• #5 and only two major shopping centres.

Here's a link for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston,_Tasmania

Sydney, Australia

Hey I'm in Sydney!! I'm not a big fan of opera but I cant wait to see my first 'show'. I took this picture a minute ago were so close!! We arrived here this morning and hung out in the city and in the hotel. Oh, now were at the entrance gotta go but I'll see you when I get to Kingston, bye!!

• #1 Sydney is the largest city in Australia.
  
• #2 Sydney has a metropolitan area population of approximately 4.34 million people.
  
• #3 With only an area of approximately 12,000 square kilometres
• #4 Daily high temp of 71' F.
  
• #5 Daily low temp of 57' F.
  

Here's a link for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney,_Australia

Rio De Janerio, Brazil

Hey I'm in Brazil. And I'm here just in time for Carnival! Today Joe and I went around town and hung out and met new people and drank awesome coffee! Now were back at our hotel writing letters and emails too friends and family back home, and in about ten minutes were going to the first part of the festival, I know it's going to be super fun! Well, I'm going to get ready now so I'll check in again in a few days when I get to my next stop Santiago, Chile.

• #1 Rio De Janerio is the second largest city of Brazil.
  
• #2 One nickname is "The Marvelous City"
• #3 Another one is simply "Rio"
  
• #4 The highest recorded temperature was 114' F.
  
• #5 The lowest recorded temperature was 41' F.
  

Here's a link for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_de_Janeiro

Nairobi, Kenya

Hey I'm in Nairobi, Kenya! Me and Joe are in a jungle area with Susan and Scott ( there in the pic with the giraffe) And I wish I had one of me because I'm on a Zebra!!!! And Joe is way high on an elephant. I don't have the nerve to get up there. I like it here a lot because we dont get much chence to see this in Iowa. I'll post more stuff when I get to my next stop Sydney!!!!

• #1 Nairobi is the capitol of Kenya.
  



• #2 It is also the largest city in Kenya.
  



• #3 Nairobi is the most populous city in East Africa,
  



• #4 2,143,254 inhabitants lived within 269 sq mi of land.
  



• #5 Nairobi is now one of the most prominent cities in Africa politically and financially.

Here's a link for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nairobi,_Kenya

Cario, Egypt

Hey I'm in Cairo, Egypt! Me and My brother went shopping and we look so cool in out Egyptian costumes. We were on Camels riding around the really tall pyramids. I took this picture but the quality isn't totally awesome sorry but it's still a cool site. I saw more when I get to my next stop Nairobi.

• #1 Cario is the captial of Egypt.
  



• #2 Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets"



• #3 With a population of 6.8 million over 83 sq mi of land
  



• #4 With an additional ten million inhabitants just outside the city



• #5 The highest recorded temperature was 127' F.
  

Here's a link for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairo,_Egypt

Mt Ellsworth, Antartica

Hey Its so cold!!!!! And I'm at Mt Ellsworth in Antarctica, burr!!!! I'm so freezing I had to take a helicopter just because there are no air ports out here. And I took a really good picture of the mountain we're going to try to climb. I hope I make it so I can get so my next stop Cario, Egypt. Yay heat soon =P.

• #1 This whole continent is covered in Ice sheets.
  



• #2 No one lives on this continent though scientists and researchers come here to collect data from ancient glaciers.
  



• #3 Temperatures reach a minimum of between −80 °C (−112 °F) and −90 °C (−130 °F).



• #4 Temperatures reach a maximum of between 5 °C (41 °F) and 15 °C (59 °F).



• #5 This is the least populated continent in the world.
  

Here's a link for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antartica

Lima, Peru

Hey I'm in Lima, Peru! And when I was in Buenos Aires I talked about getting to stay at an awesome hotel and I'm here and I'm so excited before I went in I took a picture and its over to the right, but isn't it so totally rad?! I'm going to explore the city and then this huge hotel with my brother I'll see you when I get to my next stop Mt Ellsworth, Antartica, ( burrrr!!!)

• #1 Lima is the Capitol of Peru.
  



• #2 Lima is also the largest city in Peru.
  



• #3 Lima is the 5th largest city in Latin America.



• #4 Lima area was once called Ichma.



• #5 Nickname is " City of the Kings".
  

Here's a website for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lima,_Peru

Buenos Aries, Argentina

Hey I'm in Buenos Aries! I like it here because of the architecture. I want to be an architect or an interior designer when i grow up, so this is like a learning experience. My brother is so hating this stop because I keep dragging him on tours through beautiful ancient buildings. He mainly just texts with his friends the whole way through the tours, once he ran into a pillar because he was so distracted. Well I'm going back to my hotel and dreaming about the next hotel I'm going to stay at in Lima, Peru, my next stop.

• #1 Buenos Aries is the capitol of Argentina.
  



• #2 Buenos Aries is also the largest city in Argentina.
  



• #3 Buenos Aries has a population of about 13 million people.
  



• #4 Buenos Aries Italian and Spanish are the most common origin.
  



• #5 Buenos Aries

Here's a website for more information:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buenos_Aires,_Argentina

New York City, New York!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey I'm in the Big Apple! The trip here was smooth and fun there were animals on the plane so it was really cool! And now I'm in New York! I'm on the corner of Wall st. and Broadway I feel so luckey that I'm here. I'm going to see "Wicked" the musical on Broadway, even though I've alreay seen it once Joe hasn't and I thought it was awesome enough to see it twice. Well now I'm going to explore more of this totally rad city, See you when I get to my next stop Rio Janerio, Brazil!

• #1 The New York metropolitan area is one of the most urban populated areas in the world.



• #2 The city has been home to several of the tallest buildings in the world.



• #3 Containes 22.155 million people as of 2008 Census estimate.



• #4 nearly 170 languages are spoken in the city.



• #5 Nicnames include "The City So Nice They Named It Twice" ,"The Big Apple" and ,"The City That Never Sleeps."

Heres a web site for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City

Mexico City, Mexico.

Hey I'm in Mexico City!!! And the flight here was awesome we got to see almost all of central america as we flew past. But one bad thing about flying there was I had trouble opening a pack of peanuts... And when I finally got them open they showered over my brother beacuse of the force. Anyway now were in our hotel room and I'm pondering all the sights I saw and Joe is calling all of his friends bragging about being here. We saw the some of the old Myan temples like in the picutre it was really fun. Well I have to go now I'll check back in when I get to my next stop New York City!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• #1 Mexico City has a population exceeding 19 million people.
• #2 Mexico has 31 states.
• #3 Mexico City is the oldest capital city in the Americas.
• #4 Mexico introduced chocolate to the world.
• #5 Mexico is the most populous Spanish speaking country in the world.

Here's a web site where you can go for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico_City

Seattle, Washington

I'm in Seattle!!! The plain trip took forever but it was still awesome beacuse it was my first commercial plane trip. This morining Joe and I were driving around Seattle, saw the sights including the space needle and it was fun then we drove to down town Port Angeles and hung out at the pizza shops with my friends who live there. Now it's about 9 and I'm at my friends house so I'd better get to sleep now. I'll tell you more when I get to my next stop Montreal, Canada.

• #1 The Seattle area has been inhabited for at least 4,000 years.
  
  
• #2 The nicnames for this city are" Emerald City", "Seatown", " Rain City" and "Jet City".


• #3 Seattle has a reputation for heavy coffee consumption


• #4 My brother Joe is going to go to school to become a pilot in this city.


• #5 This city has a very temprate continental climate getting usually no colder than 40F and no warmer than 80F.

Here's a link for more inormation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle,_Washington

My Trip Around The World

Hey it's Bailey again and I'm so excited! I won the lottery and I'm going to take a trip around the world! These has been like the best week ever. And I'm not going alone, my brother Joe is coming! Now we're packing up everything from pillows to cameras. I already said good bye to my Mom, Dad, and siblings and promised I'll write them with emails, pictures, photos, and videos. Now the taxi is out in the front of my building and it's going to take us to the airport and then to my first stop of my trip Seattle, Washington.

• #1 Des Moines is the most populous city in Iowa.
• #2 Des Moines is where I was born.
• #3 Des Moines is the Captial of the state of Iowa.
• #4 Des Moines is a great place to watch the presidential elections.
• #5 Des Moines was founded in 1843 and incorporated as a city in 1851.

Heres a link for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Des_Moines,_Iowa

My Summer Vacation to California ツ

This summer I went to San Francisco and Napa, California to see my Uncles. We came from Mt. Pleasant because we took the train. It took four days there and back, the way there was the best. Then I arrived in Emeryville, CA then we took the bus to the ferry dock and my uncle Jim picked us up. We sayed with Jim and his poodle Izzy for about a week and a half. We visited peir 39 and I got 2 pairs of shoes and a ton of candy. We came accross the Golden Gate Bridge about 8 times and we climed up the foggy hillls right next to it. Then we took the ferry to Napa and stayed with my uncel Bill for the rest of the vacation. We went up to see the giant red woods and the vineyards. It was so hot there!!! Then on the 26th of July we got back on the train and spend four days going thrrough the 20 minute tunnels and seeing the Rockey Moutians. Finally we were back in Iowa!! I was relived to be back but I still miss the awesomeness of California. ツ