dress-up paperdolls

Africa is famous for it's beautiful fabrics. Women wear bright color combinations with multiple patterns.

Dress-up Dolls
So, yesterday we dressed-up these paper dolls with let over pieces of fabric.
I prepaired the pieces of fabric by cutting them small. I printed a boy and girl coloring page which we used as dress-up doll.

The kids really loved it and they made many beautiful outfits.

all you need is:
- pieces of fabric
- sciccors
- glue
- paper with a poppet on it
- coloring pencils

Lego Piramide

building Piramides with Lego

Egyptian necklace

Yesterday we started with the theme Africa at my work.
We first 'visited' Egypte. I'm from the Netherlands and from Europe, Egypt is a logic place to start our journey through Africa.

Egyptian Necklace
On monday we started by making Egyptian Nacklaces like the farao's had.
We mainly used macaroni and golden paper. But the kids could use many other things to decorate their necklace.

Piramides
Today, Teusday we also build some piramides with the lego.
The kids made small once, but also big ones.

Where I've been so far

Since last year March, when I made a map to show where in the world I've been. I've visited some more countries.

Here is a new map:

Click HERE for the site I used

Africa month at my work

Since I'm going back to South-Africa in April I'm introducing Africa to the kids at my work.

I made this map of Africa to show the kids all the countries that we are going to talk about. I printed the map from this site. It's great!

I also made quite a few cards to show them the animals, people, fruit, fabrics (and traditional clothing) and lots more that we can find in Africa.

In the next couple of weeks I'll tell you everything about all the things and activities we are going to do!

Drakensfruit or Pitaya

Almost a year ago I started trying out exotic fruits. After a few I couldn't find any new at my supermarket.
Last week I found a new one: Drakensfruit or sometimes called Pitaya.

When I bought it, I didn't know what to expect. This weird cactus-like fruit with red, green and a bit of yellow.

When I got home I cut it open and I was surpriced by the bright pink colour. I do not think I have ever seen the colour with any fruit.

I really wondered what it would taste like.
Well here I wil try to explain what I tasted.
The first piece I tried was a little watery. but the middle of the fruit wat quite sweet. The little seeds in it made me think of a kiwi, but this fruit is sweet and nothing even close to the taste of a kiwi (just the texture and mouth sensation is simelar).

You should try one some time. I liked it

Drakensbergen - Lesotho

In one of my last weekends I made a trip to Drakensbergen and Lesotho.
Lesotho is an enclaved landlocked country completly surrounded by South Africa.

Hluhluwe Safari - South-Africa

My third weekend trip was a Safari in the park HluHluwe (pronounce: SluSluwe).

I did see the complete Big Five: Elephant, Lion, Buffalo, Rhino and Leopard.

Here some pictures:

(not one of the Big Five)

Oribi Gorge - South-Africa

My second weekend trip was to Oribi Gorge (South-Africa).

I'll just show you the pictures.

Wild Coast - South-Africa

Last month I came back from 8 weeks South-Africa.
I did soms volentairs work and in the weekends I made some touristic tours. One was to the Wild Coast.

If you see the pictures, I'm sure I do not have to explain why it's cold the Wild Coast.

This last picture is of a mangrove forest at the Wild Coast

National Anthem: Tibet

One last national anthem. Tibet isn't an independent country but I really like their anthem and I love the sound of it!

So no info this time, but just listen and enjoy.

National Anthem: Mongolia

The tenth and last national anthem and I choose Mongolia.

Over the past 100 years, Mongolia had several national anthems. The first one was used between 1924 adn 1950. It was called the Mongolia Internationale. It is significantly different from the well known "Internationale" from Russia.
in 1950 there was a new anthem chosen and in 1961 again.
In 1991 most of the anthem of 1950 is used again, but the second verse (praising Lenin, Stalin, Sukhbaatar and Choibalsan) has been removed.

Here's the lyrics and translation of it.
 

Mongolia Дархан манай тусгаар улс Даяар монголын ариун голомт Далай их дээдсийн гэгээн үйлс Дандаа энхжиж, үүрд мөнхөжнө Хамаг дэлхийн шударга улстай Хамтран нэгдсэн эвээ бэхжүүлж Хатан зориг, бүхий л чадлаараа Хайртай Монгол орноо мандуулъя Өндөр төрийн минь сүлд ивээж Өргөн түмний минь заяа түшиж Үндэс язгуур, хэл соёлоо Үрийн үрдээ өвлөн бадраая Эрэлхэг Монголын золтой ардууд Эрх чөлөө жаргалыг эдлэв Жаргалын түлхүүр, хөгжлийн тулгуур Жавхлант манай орон мандтугай

English Our unwavering independent nation All Mongols' sacred ancestry All world's good deeds Always stable, forever continue With all honest nations of the world Strengthen our bonds With all our will and strength Let's develop our beloved Mongolia Our great nation's symbol blesses The peoples' fate supports Our ancestry, culture and language Let's forever cherish and prosper Bright peoples of brave Mongolia Have freedom and happiness Key to happiness, column for prosperity Our great country prosper

National Anthem: New Zealand

Two more to go before we traveled the world in 10 National Anthems. This time we listen to New Zealands national anthem.

New Zealand actually has two national anthems. One of them is God save the Queen, the same anthem as the United Kingdom. Their second anthem is God defent New Zealand. That's the one we're going to listen to.

The lyrics, originaly a poem was writen in 1876 but it wasn't  til 1970 that it was named the second national anthem. The lyrics is a combination of Maori and English

Here is the lyrics:

Māori verse: "Aotearoa" E Ihowā Atua, O ngā iwi mātou rā Āta whakarangona; Me aroha noa Kia hua ko te pai; Kia tau tō atawhai; Manaakitia mai Aotearoa

English translation (Karetu) O Lord, God, of all people Listen to us, Cherish us May good flourish, May your blessings flow. Defend Aotearoa

Continent box Antarctica #2 life at the continent

Hallo travelers,

We're going back to the cold south today to look at the animals at Antarctica. With the freezing cold at the continent there aren't many animals, a few birds, seals and whales.

I'm trying to collect lots of different (plastic) pinguïns and other animals, but it isn't going fast so far. I decided also to make cards (A6 size) with pictures and names of the animals. I searched the internet (google) for nice pictures of six different pinguïns (Adelie pinguin, King pinguin, Emperor pinguin, Gentoo pinguin, Rockhopper pinguin, Macaroni pinguin)

I also looked for pictures of diffrent mammals that live in the sea, ten different seals and whales.

I printed the cards and laminted them to put in my continent box.

Here my mammal cards.

National Anthem: Russia

We travel on and go to Russia, a country that actually is part of two continents, Europe and Asia.
Most people however live in the European part of Russia so that's why I consider it European.
More about that in an other blog later.

In the past 100 years Russia had actually had many different national anthems.
In 1944 Russia repaced its anthem (used since 1902) for the Soviet anthem because it was more Russocentric.
After 1956 the anthem was used without lyrics because it referenced to former leader Joseph Stalin. It was only in 1977 that a new lyrics was introduces by Mikhalkov. This new lyrics was placing less emphasis on the Great Patriotic War and more on the victory of communism.

in 1990 Russia sought a new anthem after the collepse of the Soviet Union. The lyric-free "Patrioticheskaya Pesnya", composted by Mikhail Glinka was officially adopted that same year.
in 1993 the government sponsered a contest to create lyrics but non of the enteries were adopted. This resulted in Presedent Vladimir Putin's restoration of the Soviet anthem.
Eventually the goverment sponsored a contest to find lyrics to a compositon by Mikhalkov. The new anthem was adopted in alte 2000. This is the same anthem as they use now adays

National Anthem: Indonesia

The 7th national anthem is from Indonesia.
The song was 'born' long before Indonesia was again an independed country after successon of the Dutch East Indies.

The song was introduced in 1928 during the Second Indonesian Youth Congress in Batavia by it's composer Wage Rudolf Supratman. It marked the birth of all nationalis movements in Indonesia that suported a single Indonesia rather than spliting in several colonies.

Later the song was chosen at national anthem in 1945 when Indonesia proclaimed it's independence.

This is the first piece of the lyrics:

Indonesia tanah airku,
Tanah tumpah darahku,
Di sanalah aku berdiri,
Jadi pandu ibuku.

 

Indonesia kebangsaanku,

Bangsa dan tanah airku,

Marilah kita berseru,

Indonesia bersatu.

 

Hiduplah tanahku,
Hiduplah negeriku,
Bangsaku, Rakyatku, semuanya,
Bangunlah jiwanya,
Bangunlah badannya,
Untuk Indonesia Raya.

 

Refrain :

Indonesia Raya,

Merdeka, merdeka,

Tanahku, neg'riku yang kucinta!

Indonesia Raya,

Merdeka, merdeka,

Hiduplah Indonesia Raya!

Continent box Africa #2 People

Hi everybody,

Today is International Nelson Mandela day, so this Friday we're looking at the people of Africa.

The people of Africa are on of the things that shows the variety of the continent. Their skin color is a little different every place you go, their clothes, their habits, their life.

I made 30 cards with pictures of the people of Africa, beautiful portrets from 30 different countries.
Here are a few.

these are actually the old ones. I re-did them and wrote the country under it.

Here are some.

 

 

National Anthem: France

The next national anthem we're going to listen to is the Frenc. It is called 'La Marseillaise' which means 'The song of Marseille'.

I choose the France anthem for today because tomorrow it's the the France national day. In the English speaking countries also called 'Bastille Day'.

The song was writen en composed in 1792 during the Frence Revalutionary Wars by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle. Three years later in 1795 is became the National Anthem of France.

It is the first 'March' song used as a national anthem in Europe. When you listen to it you can hear the army marching by.

The lyrics is quite long so here only a little piece of it with English ranslation:

French lyrics	English translation
Allons enfants de la Patrie,	Arise, children of the Fatherland,
Le jour de gloire est arrivé !	The day of glory has arrived!
Contre nous de la tyrannie,	Against us tyranny
L'étendard sanglant est levé, (bis)	Raises its bloody banner (repeat)
Entendez-vous dans les campagnes	Do you hear, in the countryside,
Mugir ces féroces soldats ?	The roar of those ferocious soldiers?
Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras	They're coming right into your arms
Égorger vos fils, vos compagnes !	To cut the throats of your sons and women!
Aux armes, citoyens,	To arms, citizens,
Formez vos bataillons,	Form your battalions,
Marchons, marchons !	Let's march, let's march!
Qu'un sang impur	Let an impure blood
Abreuve nos sillons !	Water our furrows! (repeat)
Que veut cette horde d'esclaves,	What does this horde of slaves,
De traîtres, de rois conjurés ?	Of traitors and conjured kings want?
Pour qui ces ignobles entraves,	For whom are these vile chains,
Ces fers dès longtemps préparés ? (bis)	These long-prepared irons? (repeat)
Français, pour nous, ah ! quel outrage	Frenchmen, for us, ah! What outrage
Quels transports il doit exciter !	What fury it must arouse!
C'est nous qu'on ose méditer	It is us they dare plan
De rendre à l'antique esclavage !	To return to the old slavery!
Aux armes, citoyens...	To arms, citizens...

Continent box South-America #2 the tast of...

Hi travelers,

Today again a little peek in my South-American continent box. At the last peek you have already seen to pictures of fruit. Today more of my fruit and spices cards.

South America has many unknown fruits and spices. We know many from Asia, but some how the ones from South-America stayed less known.

Have you ever seen these pieces of fruit? I know I never have. They are Carambola and Pitaya (never heard of either). Wow some look even stranger than others.

Some other 'new' tasts come from the different spices. To bad you can't smell the picture.

I printed the cards (A6 size) and laminated them. I made only six fruit cards, but making this blog I think I'll make some more. There are so many strange pieces of fruit.

National Anthem: North Korea

No#5 a national anthem we hardly ever hear because the contry is very closed-up, the national anthem of North Korea.
I choose this anthem because it is so unfamiliar. North Korea adopted this song in 1947 and is called "Aegukka".
There isn't much known about the North Korean anthem.

A lyrics has little use for we can't read the North Korean letters. But in the video clip the text is subtitled in English.




You should also watch this video clip