EARL’S WORLD—6
Ghana. This is a small country situated along the West African Gold Coast with a population of 21 mil. People. This is the first time that Semester at Sea has docked here where we will spend four days exploring the area.
Of note, the previous UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan was from here; our three previous presidents visited here as did President Obama. Ghana has a very favorable relationship with the US. English is the dominate language. It has the strongest economy in Africa and is growing as a tourist attraction.
Historically, Ghana was the first area below the Sahara settled in 1470’s by the Protuguese, seeking gold. It has the world’s largest deposits, thus, The Gold Coast.
It was the first country after colonization of Africa to declare independence, in 1920.
Much of the middle of the 20th century the country was is turmoil with military coups,
Usurpation of power, unbridled corruption but the present time there is stability, push for education, and good trade relationships---democracy at work. Phosphate mining is one of the country’s largest exports. More on Ghana later. Earl
Monday, September 21, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
EARL'S WORLD-5
As we leave Casablanca this evening we wind up a week here in Morocco where everyone has taken trips far and wide to see and learn about the country. It is 99% muslim and most are known as Berber people. Like our black people they have been promoting pride in their culture and gaining destinction. They were once nomads but now have their farm, grazing lands, sheep and goats. They make much of the craft items found in the market and shops in the cities. The cities seem to be bustl EARL'S WORLD-5
As we leave Casablanca this evening we wind up a week here in Morocco where everyone has taken trips far and wide to see and learn about the country. It is 99% muslim and most are known as Berber people. Like our black people they have been promoting pride in their culture and gaining destinction. They were once nomads but now have their farm, grazing lands, sheep and goats. They make much of the craft items found in the market and shops in the cities. The cities seem to be bustling, especially with increase tourism. Even with water shortages they are building golf courses, swimming pools and condos by the the thousands. Women are mostly unveiled and gaining political power. They, by law, must constitute 40% of the parliment.
Being here during Ramadan has been interesting as the muslins for 30 days do not eat or drink from sun up to sun down. At night fall the city is jumping with activity. The king is age 42 and is in much favor having liberalized many of the customs such as allowing non muslims to visit the mosque, and expanding education. There are 120 US manufacturing companies here and the relationship with our country is good. Morocco was the first country to recognize the new USA in 1777. Next stop, Ghana. Earling, especially with increase tourism. Even with water shortages they are building golf courses, swimming pools and condos by the the thousands. Women are mostly unveiled and gaining political power. They, by law, must constitute 40% of the parliment.
Being here during Ramadan has been interesting as the muslins for 30 days do not eat or drink from sun up to sun down. At night fall the city is jumping with activity. The king is age 42 and is in much favor having liberalized many of the customs such as allowing non muslims to visit the mosque, and expanding education. There are 120 US manufacturing companies here and the relationship with our country is good. Morocco was the first country to recognize the new USA in 1777. Next stop, Ghana. Earl
As we leave Casablanca this evening we wind up a week here in Morocco where everyone has taken trips far and wide to see and learn about the country. It is 99% muslim and most are known as Berber people. Like our black people they have been promoting pride in their culture and gaining destinction. They were once nomads but now have their farm, grazing lands, sheep and goats. They make much of the craft items found in the market and shops in the cities. The cities seem to be bustl EARL'S WORLD-5
As we leave Casablanca this evening we wind up a week here in Morocco where everyone has taken trips far and wide to see and learn about the country. It is 99% muslim and most are known as Berber people. Like our black people they have been promoting pride in their culture and gaining destinction. They were once nomads but now have their farm, grazing lands, sheep and goats. They make much of the craft items found in the market and shops in the cities. The cities seem to be bustling, especially with increase tourism. Even with water shortages they are building golf courses, swimming pools and condos by the the thousands. Women are mostly unveiled and gaining political power. They, by law, must constitute 40% of the parliment.
Being here during Ramadan has been interesting as the muslins for 30 days do not eat or drink from sun up to sun down. At night fall the city is jumping with activity. The king is age 42 and is in much favor having liberalized many of the customs such as allowing non muslims to visit the mosque, and expanding education. There are 120 US manufacturing companies here and the relationship with our country is good. Morocco was the first country to recognize the new USA in 1777. Next stop, Ghana. Earling, especially with increase tourism. Even with water shortages they are building golf courses, swimming pools and condos by the the thousands. Women are mostly unveiled and gaining political power. They, by law, must constitute 40% of the parliment.
Being here during Ramadan has been interesting as the muslins for 30 days do not eat or drink from sun up to sun down. At night fall the city is jumping with activity. The king is age 42 and is in much favor having liberalized many of the customs such as allowing non muslims to visit the mosque, and expanding education. There are 120 US manufacturing companies here and the relationship with our country is good. Morocco was the first country to recognize the new USA in 1777. Next stop, Ghana. Earl
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
EARL’S WORLD-4
I am pleased to learn there is a Rotary connection with the Semester at Sea program. In 1926 the rotary clubs of Southern California started this educational activity by working with Chapman College to send students around the world studying the culture of other countries for purposes of peace and understanding. That is the mission of the Rotary Foundation today. The program continued until 1963 when the Univ.of Colorado
assumed responsibility for the curriculum and academic credit. They were followed by the University of Pittsburg who sponsored it for 17 years. The University of Virginia now provides the academic part of the voyage. All of the students participate in some service projects during their semester such Habitat for Humanity or tutoring school children.
All classes are while the ship is at sea. In port, and there are eleven, they take a variety of
field trip near and far, with their professors getting hands on and visual experiences as part of their education.
I am pleased to learn there is a Rotary connection with the Semester at Sea program. In 1926 the rotary clubs of Southern California started this educational activity by working with Chapman College to send students around the world studying the culture of other countries for purposes of peace and understanding. That is the mission of the Rotary Foundation today. The program continued until 1963 when the Univ.of Colorado
assumed responsibility for the curriculum and academic credit. They were followed by the University of Pittsburg who sponsored it for 17 years. The University of Virginia now provides the academic part of the voyage. All of the students participate in some service projects during their semester such Habitat for Humanity or tutoring school children.
All classes are while the ship is at sea. In port, and there are eleven, they take a variety of
field trip near and far, with their professors getting hands on and visual experiences as part of their education.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
EARL'S WORLD 2
I am ensconced aboard the M/V Explorer and struggling to find myself around
the ship, eternally lost as which is aft and which is fore. All passageway are the same
carpet pattern and color, so landmarks look a like. Today 520 students boarded, 190
males, 310 females and the place is getting lively.
We depart for Cadiz, Spain tonight and my scopolamine patch is in place hopefully
forestalling sea sickness. The ship is a floating university with computer room, library
classrooms and 30 faculty members. Student get credits for their courses, sponsored
by the Univ. of Virginia
Our senior group is call Life Long Learners and we will audit classes of our choice, and attend other lectures for everyone one subjects relating to the countries
we visit. There are 30 of us L L L’s and it is diverse group from several states who
seem quite congenial. Earl.
the ship, eternally lost as which is aft and which is fore. All passageway are the same
carpet pattern and color, so landmarks look a like. Today 520 students boarded, 190
males, 310 females and the place is getting lively.
We depart for Cadiz, Spain tonight and my scopolamine patch is in place hopefully
forestalling sea sickness. The ship is a floating university with computer room, library
classrooms and 30 faculty members. Student get credits for their courses, sponsored
by the Univ. of Virginia
Our senior group is call Life Long Learners and we will audit classes of our choice, and attend other lectures for everyone one subjects relating to the countries
we visit. There are 30 of us L L L’s and it is diverse group from several states who
seem quite congenial. Earl.
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