Travel-Stained Life

Hello,

This page was inspired by Deenaree´s mother, who works in the Iowa public schools, and will be tracking the couple´s trip in the classroom.  Because Deenaree is also an educator, she hopes that this site becomes a resource for her in her future classroom and can be used as a reference for those who may be studying other countries.

*These are pictures of Mrs. Montis and Deenaree’s mother with their social studies class along with the map they put up to track Deenaree and Ben’s adventures.

Happy Teaching!

Directions:

Below are a set of questions that can be answered through reading the posts on Travel-Stained Life or research on the web.  More questions will be posted as Deenaree and Ben continue to travel.

Trinidad and Tobago (T & T)

1. How many kinds of mangoes are in T & T? Adventures in Mango Harvesting
2. What is the national bird of T & T?  What causes it to be the color that it is? Sanctuary
3. What is the tar from La Brea Pitch Lake in Trinidad used for? Walking On a Lake

Mexico City

1. What is a lucha libre?  What is the name for “mask” in Spanish? Men in Hot Pink Tights
2. Compare the Teotihuacan Pyramids of Mexico with the Pyramids of Egypt.  How are they similar?  How are they different? Four-Legged Tour Guide
3. What is the emblem on the Mexican flag? Viva Mexico
4. What are the different types of Mexican foods? The Mystery of Mexican Cuisine

Panama City

1. How many locks are in the Panama Canal?  What are their names? Journey to the Center of the World
2. What does a cappella mean? Panamanian Wedding
3. In the blog, ¨The People We Meet Along the Way¨, Deenaree and Ben talk about meeting different people in Panama City.  How have the people they´ve met along the way influenced their trip thus far?  Why is it important to talk to the people around us?

Ecuador

1. List some of the things that Deenaree likes about Quito, Ecuador.  I Heart Quito!
2. How many volcanoes surround the town of Otavalo? Volcanoes and the Indigenous in the North Andes
3. Locate the equator on a globe or map.  Other than Ecuador, what other countries lie on the equator? Zero Degrees Latitude
4. What is a popular activity for visitors to do when in Baños? Defying Death Enroute to Devil’s Cauldron
5. How many meters can an iguana from Central/South America reach? Iguana Park
6. Why did Lonesome George get his name? Galapagos: We Arrive!
7. What animals did Deenaree and Ben see during their time snorkeling in the Galapagos? Galapagos 2: Into the Ocean
8. Compare and contrast the different types of land, sea, and air animals. Galapagos 3: By Land, Sea, and Air
9. How many forms of transportation did Ben, Deenaree, and their friends take on the longest day? The Longest Day
10. What are curanderos? Spanish School, Salsa, and Shamans
11. How are the foods in Ecuador similar to or different from the foods in Mexico? Ecuadorian Food

Peru

1. What cities did Deenaree and Ben visit in Peru?  How are they different from eachother? Something for Everyone
2. What are the 3 special things that set the city of Arequipa apart from other cities? A Brilliant City
3. How did the Incas cut the rock they used to build their structures? Living in an Inca World
4. Explain the process of creating the floating reed islands. The Side Effects of Tourism
5. What do the Amantani men and women wear?  How is their dress different from yours? Home-Stay

Bolivia

1. How did Ben and Deenaree’s border crossing into Bolivia differ from their friends from other countries? The Political Divide
2. How has the mining industry impacted the environment and the people of Potosi? Working in the Devil’s Territory
3. What are the Salt Flats? What are some things that visitors can see and do in the Salt Flats? Fun Times in the Desert of Salt
4. Who was Butch Cassidy?  The Wild West in Bolivia

Argentina-Part 1

1. What are some reasons for Deenaree and Ben being “shocked” by Argentina? Culture Shock Argentina Style

Paraguay

1. How do Maria, Alison, Will, and the rest of their co-workers help the children in Paraguay?  Why?  Holiday Spirit in Action
2. Explain the steps to the process of making mate cocido.  The Ins and Outs of Mate
3. What river did Deenaree and Ben have to cross when they went from Paraguay to Brazil?  A Border That Lived Up to its Name

Argentina-Part 2

1. Why is it important not to feed wild animals?  Don’t Feed the Animals!
2. Why are Cris’ mom’s arepas called “5 minute arepas”?  Venezuela Flavor in Argentina Land
3. List the neighborhoods in Buenos Aires and the specific things you can see in each neighborhood. The Walking Tours of Buenos Aires
4. What are the different ways that meat is prepared and eaten in Argentina? Foods of Argentina

South Africa

1. What is the name of the southern most point in Africa? Next Stop: Antarctica!
2. What was the history of Nelson Mandela before he became president? Invictus

Egypt

1. What is your favorite place?  Why is it your favorite?  Use words describing this place to someone you know.  Finding Magic in Egyptian Cities
2. Compare and contrast weddings in Egypt, Panama, and the United States.  Egyptian Wedding
3. The Great Pyramid is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Research its history and write down 3 interesting facts about it.  The Egyptian Monuments
4. To reach the top of Mount Sinai, Ben and Deenaree took a route that involved climbing up thousands of steps.  What is the significance of this route?  In Search of the Ten Commandments

Jordan – Part 1

1. What is the difference between Petra and other ancient ruins?  Dream Fulfilled

Israel

1. What religions are represented in Jerusalem and which holy sites represent these religions?  What is Jerusalem?

Jordan – Part 2

1. Why did the Dead Sea get its name?  Floating in the Dead Sea

Syria

1. Think about your local grocery store.  Describe what you see, hear, and smell.  What is your favorite section of the market?  Watching Time Stand Still in the Souqs of Syria
2. Describe a situation in which someone has been kind to you.  What did they do?  Some of the Friendliest People on Earth

Turkey

1. How can people determine the region of Turkey a certain carpet comes from?  Turkish Carpet Shopping and the Iowa State Cyclones
2. What does dürüst mean and why is it important? The Importance of Being Dürüst
3. Locate the Bosphorus strait on a map and research its historical importance. East Meets West

Spain

1. Name some of the things that Antoni Gaudi incorporated into his designs and mosaics.  Introduction to Gaudi

Andorra

1. What countries are represented on the emblem of the Andorran flag?  Why? Learned and Liked-Andorra

France

1. What can one see in Toulouse?  France, Pink City Style!
2. Give some reasons for why it was better for Deenaree and Ben to walk up the Eiffel tower than take the elevator?  Paris in the Springtime

Germany

1. Find the points where Mori picked up and dropped off Deenaree and Ben.   Estimate how many miles they traveled from point to point.  Hitchhiking Our Way to Frankfurt

Greece

1. Choose a Greek island and create an illustrative pamphlet encouraging your classmates to come to this island.  Living it Up, Greek Isle Style!
2. When was the first evidence of humans at Meteora?  A Gamble That Paid Off
3. Choose a recipe of a Greek dish and make it.  Remember to ask your parents to help you in the kitchen.  Our Favorite Greek Eats

Bulgaria

1. What is the name of the alphabet in Bulgaria?  What other countries use this alphabet?  Belogradchik, Bulgaria

Romania

1. What is the history of Vlad Dracula III’s name?  Unearthing Dracula
2. In the United States, where do farmers go to buy animals and farm equipment?  Farm Animals for Sale!

Ukraine

1. Who did the Ukrainian Insurgent Army fight in World War II and why?  Slava Ukraini

Poland

1. What are some cities that Ben and Deenaree visited and how were they affected by World War II?  If Trees Could
2. Interview your family members about your ancestors.  Where did they come from?  How did they get here?  Missing Links
3. Ask a family member about one important family recipe.  What are your (and/or their) memories of this dish?  When is it eaten?  How is it prepared?  Polish Food