Incan Empire
Dear Gianna, As you can see from the picture I am touring the empire that belonged to the Incas. My journey before I start my job in Latin America starts in Cuzco, which today is known as Peru. The Incan empire is located in Peru, hence the Pure stamp. It all started with Pachacuti. Pachacuti was an emperor who turned the empire from an average village to a city that held great potential. The tour guide told us that the city is in the shape of a puma, which was pretty a pretty cool fun fact. I explored the area around the empire that just shows old, ancient rocks and learned that the Incas were experts with building and crafting things. The one piece of information that I took in today that was my favorite was that the empire was known as the empire of the sun because the sun of god was the patron. Cool right? I have to go, but I will right back again! Talk to you soon, Nicolette! Gianna Perrone Lafayette Hill, PA 19044
Dear Nicolette, The Picture on the front of the postcard shows another empire that I was allowed to tour. This empire is known as the Aztec Empire. This empire is in Central Mexico and the first city that was built was known as Tenochtitlan, now known as Mexico city. Tenochtitlan was ruled by military government and from what I learned in Ms. Tavani’s class, military ruled isn’t the best form of government. This form of rule actually made the Aztec people stronger and more stable. They conquered many cities because only one could be #1. I like exploring new places, especially ancient empires. But to be honest I did like the Incan Empire a little better because I took in more information. Hope your enjoying my postcards, Nicolette! Gianna Perrone Lafayette Hill, PA 19044
Greetings fromArgentina
Dear Gianna, So, my next stop on my adventure through Latin America is Argentina. Argentina has one of the largest ice sculptures known. This ice sculpture is known as the Perito Moreno Glacier in Patagonia. A really interesting fact that I learned was that it grows. Unlike any glacier, even when ice chunks fal off it increases it size. I even got to ride on a cruise on Lake Argentina and see the glacier up close. I think we may have to make a trip to South Patagonia and view it again. Nicolette P.S. This glacier is known as the heart of Southern Patagonia. Gianna Perrone Lafayette Hill, PA 19044
Dear Gi, Hey, I’ve been so busy and excited to tell you about my travels that I haven’t asked how you have been. Well, anyways my travels have taken me to Brazil to a place called Vale da Lua. Vale da Lua is also called the Valley of the Moon because the rocks it is made out of are so smooth. A lot of Brazilians actually don’t know about this place. It is basically a earth made water park. The rocks caved in and look water slides. Vale da Lau is on a private property, but many people visit it. I think it is so neat how you can swim and slide down the cascades and also climb the rocks. Let’s hope that there is no damage to be done to this natural place. Talk to you soon again soon, Nicolette Gianna Perrone Lafayette Hill, PA 19044
Dear Gianna, I decided to stay in Brazil for the rest of my traveling because I heard there is a lot of sights here to see and because I’ve always wanted to vacation here. After traveling to the Vale da Lua and seeing the place where people go to explore and have fun, I’ve decided to see what the normal life of a Brazilian is like. In some parts people live in average homes like you and me, but what I took notice in the most is the amount of poverty. In rural areas poverty is highest. I felt sad and horrible that these people live like this. I actually got to sit down with a women who has a family and she told me that they have more disadvantages than good opportunities. The education isn’t up to the right speed and supplies like water and food aren’t always handy because farming comes with struggle that has to do with income and supplying the crops. This women being a single parent because they have so much going on at one time. There isn’t enough room for everyone to live so they bunk together if need be. People living in this poor mess just keep telling me that the government say they will renovate, but has never done so yet. Nicolette. P.S. The neatest part was the kids always had a smile on their face even when they don’t live in the richest of areas. Gianna Perrone Lafayette Hill, PA 19044
Dear Gi, Today is my last day before I head off to start my new job. My last and final visit was to the famous statue in Rio, Christ the Redeemer. I’ve always wanted to visit this piece of art because I have seen in a movie. It sits on a mountain overlooking the national park and it is made of little triangular stones. This statue has become an icon throughout Brazil and has become well known to almost the world. It was restored once because winds started to tear away the stones. The restoration needed more than 100 people and more than 60,000 pieces of stone. Which is really interesting! I would have to say while I was backpacking through Latin America, hiking, taking boat rides to different places I found that the most full filling place I visited was Brazil and the poverty areas because it opened my eyes on how the government has to step up actually DO something to help the poverty instead of just saying one thing and not following through on it. Maybe with my new job can raise awareness and donate to these areas. Nicolette Gianna Perrone Lafayette Hill, PA 19044