In Port Experiences-2

In Casablanca, Morocco

SACRED SPACES OF CASABLANCA

This tour visits Casablanca's major places of worship. The most monumental of the sites will be the Hassan II Mosque, completed only recently, in 1993. It is not only one of the largest mosques in the world, but it is also the only mosque in Morocco open to the non-Muslim public.  The tour will also visit two Christian sites.  Notre Dame de Lourdes, completed in 1956, has an extraordinary collection of Modern stained glass. Sacre-Coeur Cathedral, completed in 1930, functions today as a cultural center rather than an active place of worship. It also allows spectacular views of the city from its towers   And finally, the trip will also visit Beth El Synagogue, the premier place of worship for the city's Jewish population, offering a view into the city's third major religious community.

In Accra, Ghana

The first day in Accra, one of my World Religions classes will spend the day at a Presbyterian seminary meeting with faculty and students there to consider the interaction between Christianity, Islam, and African traditional religions in Ghana.

CASTLES & SLAVE DUNGEONS

Participants will learn about the relationship between the Western slave traders and African tribes that participated in the highly organized Atlantic slave trade.  Tour the infamous forts, castles and slave dungeons of Ghana, located.   First visit Elmina Castle, also known as St. George's Castle, built by the Portuguese in 1482. This castle was the first European structure built in Sub-Saharan Africa. Then visit the infamous Cape Coast Castle and slave dungeons. The castle was built by the Swedes in 1653 and was later taken over by the British. Today it houses the West African Historical Museum.

TORGORME VILLAGE EXPERIENCE

Depart on a scenic drive along the Accra plains for the beautiful village of Torgorme, located on the lower Volta River. Pay a courtesy call to the paramount chief and elders of the village amidst traditional drumming and dancing by the villagers. Participate in a naming ceremony, in which you will be given traditional African name.  After this ceremony, choose between the following activities: a village tour of Torgorme, a hands-on session in pottery making, or a kente-weaving session.

In Cape Town, South Africa

The first day in Cape Town, one of my World Religions classes will visit Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and African Tradition worship sites guided by a center for interfaith cooperation there.   The last day, Jayne has a field trip associated with her Introduction to Anthropology class.  (That day, I hope to visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.)  In the 3 days between….

Hluhluewe Safari (This replaces our planned trip to Victoria Falls.  Long story)

Venture into the "Kingdom of the Zulus" to visit the oldest game reserve in Africa, the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve.  The rich habitat is prime "Big 5" country.  Be on the look out for all of Africa's famed animals including lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos.   Enjoy evening refreshments at the Simangaliso Weltand Park and a picnic lunch while on a full-day game safar drive.   We will be staying at the Umkhumbi Lodge.  (See http://www.umkhumbilodge.co.za/)

In Manaus, Brazil

AMAZON EXPLORER

We will travel the Rio Negro by riverboat, passing native houses built on stilts, local boats, wharfs, floating gas stations and an ice factory before arriving where the Rio Negro (the largest black water river in the world) meets the light brown Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. Here at the "Meeting of the Waters", the two rivers travel on to the sea without their waters mixing for many miles.  We will continue to Lake January, an ecological park, situated between the two rivers. There we will board smaller canoes with outboard motors for a ride through the small tributaries to get a closer view of the Amazonian rain forest and to do some fishing for Piranha before returning to Manaus by riverboat.

INDIGENOUS RITUAL & RUBBER MUSEUM

Embark on regional boat or speedboat travelling straight to the village of Tupe, home to the Indigenous Cultural Center, where traditional culture, ceremonies

and customs are kept alive in a respectful, authentic fashion. Here we attend a performance of Indian ritual and observe their carefully preserved way of life.  After the Indian ritual we will continue up to the Rubber Museum Village, where we will travel back in time of the rubber boom. The program starts right at the pier, where the guide begins to explain the social and economic impact of rubber production in the history of Manaus, the Amazon and Brazil.