Macy M.

Wow... I would say I'm speechless, but I am the exact opposite. This trip to South America was so much fun. When I went to Peru I stayed in a city called Trujillo. It was founded in 1534 and has beautiful buildings that have a very old, but cool look to them. 

http://www.infoperu.info/perunorth/trujillo

I went to see the Cathedral and the El Carmen monastery the first day. I'm telling you there is some amazing architecture in this city. And it is a very cultural city too but I forgot to bring my camera. I was pretty upset until I got to ride a Caballo de Paso which is a very pretty horse. The best thing I did in Trujillo was go to the International Spring Festival. 

http://edinburghfestival.list.co.uk/festival/edinburgh-beltane-fire-festival    

The International Spring Festival is held in the last week of September. Which I thought was weird, but maybe they have different seasons in South America. I didn't ask because I felt stupid even thinking about asking. There is a huge festival in Trujillo, but there are festivals all over Peru. Each day of the week I went to a different festival. That was my favorite part because each of the festivals was so amazing and unique. It seems like a lot to accomplish, but I was there for 3 weeks so I could do everything I wanted to do with time to spare.

   
http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/nazca/nazca-lines.htm

On my last day I went to go see the Nazca Lines. Seeing these lines/drawings was the best part of the trip. I know I said that the International Spring Festival was my favorite, but its not. These Nazca Lines were very interesting and there were so many to see. The ones above were my favorites to look at. Man, I really wish I had brought my camera. These drawings cover up to 300 meters of desert land. I wish I had time to look at all of them, but I overslept and wasn't able to go. Then I couldn't go the next day because I got a cold. Anyway, I would have spent my whole trip here if I could have. I wish I would have read more about the history of them, but looking at the drawings was more fun.

This place is the place to go when you are looking for a great place to go on vacation. I loved everything I went to in Peru. It is a great place to learn how their beliefs and culture are different from yours. I wish I had more time to write about this amazing trip, but I have to get to school. Adios amigos!

Clair F.

      

 Guess what! I'm coming home from Puru! It was so awesome because I saw so many cool places! I stayed their for a whole week and meet lots of fun people! The people their wore very colorful clothing which looked to me very Mexican like. I was especially glad I learned to speak Spanish because most everyone did! Every one was very nice to me and as I spent more time their I felt more and more at home. So I've decided to tell you about my Trip!
 
  Frist I went on a totaly awesome hike with lots of other people and a nice gide. The hike was on the ancient Inca Empire's Trail! It was a 4 day hike and ended at Machu Picchu! It was an incredible exercise and I learned a lot! It took up most my tip, but it was perfect for me.

 
  Next I went to the Manu National Park for a whole day! In case you want to know, I saw all the different biodevercities, or different land formations, which include the entire basin of the Manu river, the Andes Mountains,plus lots of grass land! I had such a  fun time walking around and seeing all those natural beauties of Peru. My favorite mammal was the Spider Monkey! He was the one I chose especially because I had around 221 to chose from, even though I didn't see nearly that many mammals.

                This is a cute Spider Monkey from National Geographic.com/animals website. 

 

 

In all, staying at a nice hotel, seeing natural beauty, and meeting different native tribes made my day worth it!

 

  Finally, I have to say that you should totally try food in Peru. The best dish I tried was Empanada. Its a meal witch consists different meats you chose from plus eggs and veggies. Then either baked or fried. Next, I recommend Faina which is a really good flat bread like bread. Anyway, they have lots of great food! So you should really go to Peru for you next vacation!         



Cusco Machu Picchu

Ally F.  

On my adventure to Peru, I went to Cusco Machu Picchu, Trujillo and the Islas Ballestas. All of them were so amazing, and I wouldn't regret going on this trip! Fist, I went to Cusco Machu Picchu. It was all green, but not just any green, a beautiful, elegant green that stood out to me. I stayed there for hours and ate lunch there, slept there, did everything I could there before paradise ended and I had to leave. I don't regret going, It was the best thing of my life! but I do regret leaving the paradise, I loved Cusco Machu Picchu.


The next thing I did was go to a less nature place in Peru. I went to Trujillo. It was so perfect! Especially at night when it lit up! When I went inside, it made me feel like a queen in her palace. It
 was so unforgettable. I liked to imagine for just once that that

Trujillo

was my house. Inside, I got a tour of everything, and I asked many questions to make sure this would be a memorable moment for me. I would definitely recommend coming her if you can because it was so gorgeous and beautiful! It was also filled with tourists, so if you don't like them, Cusco Machu Picchu is better because even though it might have tourists, it doesn't feel like it by how big it is and all the nature involved with it. If you like inside tours better, come to Trujillo because it is like a paradise. 

Peru Islas Ballestas's penguins



Islas Ballestas

After going to the Cusco Machu Picchu and the Trujillo, I went to the best place I had ever been in my life. The reason why it was my favorite was because it wasn't only beautiful but it was also filled with wildlife, mostly penguins! I cant even explain how much I love wildlife, and having wildlife there was just so amazing. The penguins weren't mean, they were nice and friendly and one of them came up to me and rubbed its face on my feet! They were so fluffy! One of them looked at me in the eyes, and I saw how cute its big black eyes were. So, the only reason you should not want to come here is if you don't like wildlife, but if you love wildlife, than come to Peru's one and only Islas Ballestas. No regrets in going to Peru.

 

Briggs R.

My trip to Uruguay was amazing and I was able to see three beautiful, jaw dropping landmarks. One of the landmarks was the punta colorada, this is a small peninsula that has a resort by it, this is where I stayed for my week long trip. It was beautiful. the water was so blue and the sunsets each night were the most amazing things to see.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=sunsets%20at%20punta%20colorada%20in%20uruguay&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAYQjB0&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Ffamilialincz%2F4292944111%2F&ei=fndvVIuULYT7igK9-YHgDg&bvm=bv.80185997,d.cGE&psig=AFQjCNFn3midiD3kBdAN5vChEB1nMi-Quw&ust=1416677608754354

 

 

 

The second place I went on my trip to see was the Virtual Museum of Arts el Pias. This museum has the most art pieces of Uruguay's artists. the art pieces are amazing and you got to see a little more of their culture and what happens in their daily lives. My favorite painting in the museum was the painting called clowns by Rafael Barradas. 

 

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=paintings+in+the+national+museum+of+visual+arts+uruguay&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAYQjB0&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2F32357038%40N08%2F8486714573%2F&ei=pHpvVKKuOcPpiAKuoIDABA&bvm=bv.80185997,d.cGU&psig=AFQjCNGRT-FbRBBEJhWHQzizSpvCHhw7bA&ust=1416678205129663

 

the final place I went to was the Estadio Centenario. This football stadium is amazing. I was able to watch a game there and the people of Uruguay are amazing at American soccer. This stadium can hold 65,235 people and was opened in 1930. It was so loud. I recommend going to Uruguay and seeing all 3 of these sights I know you will have a great time just like I did.  

Aynsleigh G

 

When I went to Colombia I had such an amazing time all  the people their where so kind and the sights where so incredible I had never seen anything like it first is the house of, Griselda Blanco, San Andres Island,and Reserva Natural canon de Rio Claro.

 First off is Griselda Blanco she was the first woman to make a major export of cocaine to the United States but she was not always this busy when she was much younger she was very poor and trying to help her mom in any way that she could. When she reached the age of 12 she started to steal with a gang that's how it all started out but over time she, became one of the richest woman in the world.
                              

http://genius.com/Meek-mill-believe-it-lyrics#note-1161989

 

 

 

 

 

 Next was  San Andres Island it was so beautiful the nice soothing waves that relax you it was an amazing sight to see I think that if you ever  go to Colombia that you go to San Andres Island. The water was crystal clear blue the sound of the waves was so calming you felt so much peace go through you it was remarkable. If I ever go back to Colombia the first place that I will be going to is San Andres Island.

 

  http://www.agoda.com/sol-caribe-san-andres-hotel/hotel/san-andres-island-co.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next place I went was Reserva Natural canon de Rio Claro it was so  amazing it was such a incredible sight to go and their was many activated that you could do such as zip lining I can not wait to go back and see what other activity I will do out of the many that they have I really do recommend going out to see this great attraction. When I went over to see it for the first time it was breath taking I have never seen anything like it before.

 

 

http://www.rioclaroelrefugio.com/recomendaciones_e.html

 

 

 

    

Ava S.

         On my trip Columbia I visited many amazing places. First, I visited Casa museo de Luis Alberto Acuna. This is a really famous museum that has many magnificent art pieces that people around the world come to see. The museum includes many different categories of art, including Muisca mythology and even contemporary art. It features most of its work around Acuna. One of Columbia's most influential artists and sculptors. The museum was set up in the mansion that he lived in for 15 years! The museum was very different from an American museum, but they were both equally pretty.

http://www.americancruiselines.com/free-brochure

     Next I visited Castillo de san felipe de Barajas. This was one of the greatest fortresses that was ever built. It had a confusing, yet brilliant system of tunnels. They made this for attacks. It was a good place to hide when they needed to either get away or to sneak up on someone. They also made it for weather. They would let a certain amount of people into the Castillo de san felipe de Barajas if the weather was flooding houses or any other major problems like that. It was a very large fortress and it must have taken many many years to build. They commissioned it in 1630. Then, 27 years later, in 1657 they started construction. It was built on a 40 meter high San Larazo hill. They decided to add another addition in 1762. It took a lot of work and people to complete this structure, but it totally payed off.
     Lastly, I visited the convento de la popa. This was the highest point in the city, about 150 kilometers up from the ground. This mountain was founded by the Augustine fathers in 1607. It means the Convent of the stern. This mountain has many beautiful flowers, bushes, and trees. The pathway on this mountain has many zig- zags and turns in order for everyone to see the beautiful structure that it is. This mountain was made by nature. No one planted any plants. They didn't even carve out the pathway towards the top. Columbia is truly a beautiful place. In conclusion, All the places that I visited were some of the most beautiful places I have seen in my whole life.

         

Max A.

Max A.

http://wallpaperswiki.org/iguassu-falls-brazil/

The carnival in Rio is usually a week long. For that whole week there is nothing but different celebrations and parades. I followed the party throughout the country for that whole week of parties is throughout the country. I noticed that the carnival was mostly in Rio. When the carnival comes to Rio there is at an average 100 block parties. I saw many people and how schools, students, even staff supported the carnival. When possible I saw the little kids participate in group activities such as dancing. I even saw a couple bands play while I attended but then I found out that usually 300 bands participate. I was shocked at how they could fit that many bands into a weeks worth of partying. This event was really fun to attend and it takes the people to set this carnival up. As a final thought I would like to say that this event brought neighbors closer and made the city and country more friendly.



 Next is the beach. This range of beaches is called the Jewel in the Crown. I visited some of the top ten beaches which I knew that this beach is more luxurious than others. I got to play beach volleyball and some water sports. These beaches were very family friendly and I saw lots of kids splashing in the waves while the adults laughed talking to each other while getting their own little tan. While I was there I picked up anew sport which is called "futevole" which is like volleyball but with your feet! I had a lot of fun at the beach but it was time for me to get to my next activity.



I decided to go on a nature tour. I couldn't decide which one. I really wanted to see a waterfall so I went on the Iguassu falls 4-day tour which was super fun for me because I love nature. When we got to the waterfall I had too take minute because it took my breath away. It was so beautiful! I went some other people who were very nice and pointed out some things I wouldn't have seen. The tour was a very good experience because it allowed me to be free. It allowed me to see things I wouldn't have seen in the city. My final thoughts on this visit is that I had a good time and that I plan on coming again.

Daniel.C
last week I went to Chile and saw lots of sites, now I'm going to tell you 3 thing I did in Chile.