Spanish Teacher Visits Peru

The Spanish culture has always been intriguing to Americans and is so much more diverse than some that it brings a sense of wonder to people. Interestingly enough, one of the world language teachers here at RHAM, Senora Rametta, visited three cities in Peru last week. A teacher convention by NETC is a company that organizes student trips. Once invited, she could not refuse. The journey began on Thursday, January 22 with the group's first visit in the capital city now, Lima.

Lima, Peru has a lot of historical information and is a busy metropolis which attracts tourists looking for something different in the entertainment world. The indingenous people were the first to inhabit Lima. Two Pre-Incan pyramids are called Huasca Pucllana built in 200 A.D and Huallamanca built in 200 B.C. Other attractions the teachers visited were the Plaza de Amas and the Cathedral in Lima which date back to the17th century. The museums were quite impressive as the way they were contructed was much different to that of the American decor. The Library in the Monasterio de San Francisco had spiral staircases and the books dating back to the days of the conquistadores were not as closely taken care of. In Lima, although not a very interesting landscape, the people and entertainment establishments are what make it worth visiting.

Another famous city visited was Cuzco, the archeological capital where present and past come together. Senora explained that Cuzco was very beautiful and showed more character than Lima at times. She took great interest in the interlocking stones they assembled which created a moument called Sacsayhuaman, an indian name. The group found it interesting that The Incas believed in an earth mother called Pachamama and she was fed by pouring your beverage onto the ground. Oddly enough, a special delicacy consists of roasted guinea pig which Senora even tried. The school that the group visited was Bernardo Tambohuacso and when they arrived, the girls and boys were in two separate lines on opposite sides leading to the entrance of the school and warmly welcomed the group. Before the trip, Senora Rametta had students from her Spanish classes contribute by placing school related items in a box for children in Peru to use at school.

Peru is famous for its llama population and AwanaKancha is the place where they are raised. Senora Rametta took pictures of a newborn Al Paca and how the people in Cuzco rely on llamas for their textiles. It's an interesting city and has an earthly feel that Lima does not present.

The last major place the group was shown was Machu Piccu. Machu Picchu meaning "old mountain" is an attractive tourist destination. Discovered in 1911, approximately 1000 people used to live in this city hidden between the mountains. It is not solely Machu Piccu; the other young mountain is named Huayna Piccu. Senora Rametta explored the city and saw the temple of the sun which is a round tower that shows the outstanding stonework done. The fog is gorgeous coming in from between the two mountains and Machu Picchu has its own irrigation system. It is said that more women inhabited the area than men. It was a sublime feeling as Senora walked through Machu Picchu.

Peru certainly has many incredible features and things to offer. Senora said she would definitely go back and that it was an experience she will always remember.