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Wow! You now know so much about Peru! Your friend Jordan, however, knows nothing about it. In a few months, his family is going on a tour of Spanish-speaking countries, including Peru and other South American countries. He has asked you to help him learn more about those places before his trip. His first trip is to Peru.
Write Jordan a three-paragraph letter (4-6 sentences per paragraph) in English, and compare Peruvian culture and American culture, especially in terms of foods, sports, transportation, population, and demographics. How is your culture similar to Peruvian culture? How is it different? Use a lot of details to help Jordan prepare for the trip, and have fun! You can use the CultureGram link to get ideas and information.
Before you write, take notes on these questions to help you think of what to tell Jordan.
1) What are the three most interesting things you have learned about Peru?
1.
2.
3.
2) What are three aspects of Peruvian culture that are similar to the United States?
1.
2.
3.
3) What are three aspects of Peruvian culture that are different from the United States?
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Notes
1) Three most interesting things I’ve learned about Peru:
1. Peru is incredibly biodiverse: it has three very different regions (coast, high Andes, and Amazon) so you can go from desert beaches to snowy mountains to rainforest in one trip.
2. Food is central to culture — Peru is famous for ceviche, lomo saltado, anticuchos, thousands of native potato varieties, and ancient grains like quinoa; Peruvian cuisine mixes Indigenous, Spanish, African, Asian (especially Chinese and Japanese) influences.
3. The population is a rich mix of Indigenous peoples (Quechua and Aymara), mestizos, Europeans, Afro-Peruvians, and Asian-Peruvians, with Lima dominating the country’s urban life as a huge coastal capital.
2) Three aspects of Peruvian culture similar to the United States:
1. Urban life in big cities includes malls, cafes, international restaurants, and tech/smartphone use — Lima’s modern neighborhoods will feel familiar.
2. Soccer (fútbol) is a social sport like Americans’ love of sports — people gather in bars and plazas to watch matches, similar to how Americans watch big games together.
3. Both countries are multicultural and have strong regional differences in food, language use, and traditions.
3) Three aspects of Peruvian culture different from the United States:
1. Language: Spanish (and Indigenous languages like Quechua and Aymara) are dominant, whereas English is dominant in the U.S.; this affects signs, conversation, and some services.
2. Transportation: Peru has many informal minibuses (“combis”), colectivos, and long-distance bus companies for intercity travel, plus tourist trains to Machu Picchu — Americans more often rely on personal cars and a broader interstate highway system.
3. Food rhythm and customs: lunch is often the biggest meal of the day in Peru and street markets play a huge role in daily life; Peru has unique traditional foods (like cuy in some Andean areas) and a stronger presence of Indigenous culinary traditions than you’ll typically find in most parts of the U.S.
Letter
Dear Jordan,
I’m so excited you’re visiting Peru — you’re in for a treat! Food is one of the biggest cultural windows: expect ceviche (fresh fish cured in lime), lomo saltado (a Peruvian stir-fry with Chinese influence), and a crazy variety of potatoes and corn everywhere you go. While Americans also love diverse food scenes and international restaurants, Peruvian cuisine leans more on ancient Andean ingredients and street-food traditions; in cities you’ll also find familiar chains and fusion restaurants, so there’s something for everyone. Sports are another shared passion — fútbol is king in Peru and people gather to watch matches just like Americans do for football or basketball, but you’ll also see lots of surfing on the Pacific coast and local volleyball enthusiasm.
For getting around, expect a different pace than most U.S. cities: Lima has heavy traffic and lots of taxis, ride-hail apps, and informal minibuses called combis or colectivos that locals use for short trips, while long-distance travel is often by comfortable bus companies or tourist trains to places like Machu Picchu. The U.S. tends to be more car-centric with a larger interstate network, but in Peru you’ll enjoy scenic bus rides through mountains and coastal routes — and in the Amazon region you may travel by boat. Population-wise, Peru has roughly 30–35 million people with a big concentration in Lima (several million), whereas the United States has about ten times that number; Peru’s identity is strongly shaped by Indigenous cultures (Quechua and Aymara) alongside mestizo, European, Afro-Peruvian, and Asian-Peruvian communities, giving the country distinct regional languages and customs.
A few practical tips to help you fit right in: learn a few Spanish phrases (hello, please, thank you, excuse me) — people really appreciate it, and in Andean towns knowing a greeting in Quechua can be a lovely surprise. Carry small change for markets and street food, tip around 10% in restaurants if service isn’t included, and be mindful of pickpockets in crowded tourist areas (keep valuables secure). Embrace the slower, social rhythm of meals and markets, attend a local festival if you can, and taste as many new dishes as possible — Peru’s food and landscapes are worth every adventure. Have an amazing trip, and tell me what part you liked most when you get back!
1) Three most interesting things I’ve learned about Peru:
1. Peru is incredibly biodiverse: it has three very different regions (coast, high Andes, and Amazon) so you can go from desert beaches to snowy mountains to rainforest in one trip.
2. Food is central to culture — Peru is famous for ceviche, lomo saltado, anticuchos, thousands of native potato varieties, and ancient grains like quinoa; Peruvian cuisine mixes Indigenous, Spanish, African, Asian (especially Chinese and Japanese) influences.
3. The population is a rich mix of Indigenous peoples (Quechua and Aymara), mestizos, Europeans, Afro-Peruvians, and Asian-Peruvians, with Lima dominating the country’s urban life as a huge coastal capital.
2) Three aspects of Peruvian culture similar to the United States:
1. Urban life in big cities includes malls, cafes, international restaurants, and tech/smartphone use — Lima’s modern neighborhoods will feel familiar.
2. Soccer (fútbol) is a social sport like Americans’ love of sports — people gather in bars and plazas to watch matches, similar to how Americans watch big games together.
3. Both countries are multicultural and have strong regional differences in food, language use, and traditions.
3) Three aspects of Peruvian culture different from the United States:
1. Language: Spanish (and Indigenous languages like Quechua and Aymara) are dominant, whereas English is dominant in the U.S.; this affects signs, conversation, and some services.
2. Transportation: Peru has many informal minibuses (“combis”), colectivos, and long-distance bus companies for intercity travel, plus tourist trains to Machu Picchu — Americans more often rely on personal cars and a broader interstate highway system.
3. Food rhythm and customs: lunch is often the biggest meal of the day in Peru and street markets play a huge role in daily life; Peru has unique traditional foods (like cuy in some Andean areas) and a stronger presence of Indigenous culinary traditions than you’ll typically find in most parts of the U.S.
Letter
Dear Jordan,
I’m so excited you’re visiting Peru — you’re in for a treat! Food is one of the biggest cultural windows: expect ceviche (fresh fish cured in lime), lomo saltado (a Peruvian stir-fry with Chinese influence), and a crazy variety of potatoes and corn everywhere you go. While Americans also love diverse food scenes and international restaurants, Peruvian cuisine leans more on ancient Andean ingredients and street-food traditions; in cities you’ll also find familiar chains and fusion restaurants, so there’s something for everyone. Sports are another shared passion — fútbol is king in Peru and people gather to watch matches just like Americans do for football or basketball, but you’ll also see lots of surfing on the Pacific coast and local volleyball enthusiasm.
For getting around, expect a different pace than most U.S. cities: Lima has heavy traffic and lots of taxis, ride-hail apps, and informal minibuses called combis or colectivos that locals use for short trips, while long-distance travel is often by comfortable bus companies or tourist trains to places like Machu Picchu. The U.S. tends to be more car-centric with a larger interstate network, but in Peru you’ll enjoy scenic bus rides through mountains and coastal routes — and in the Amazon region you may travel by boat. Population-wise, Peru has roughly 30–35 million people with a big concentration in Lima (several million), whereas the United States has about ten times that number; Peru’s identity is strongly shaped by Indigenous cultures (Quechua and Aymara) alongside mestizo, European, Afro-Peruvian, and Asian-Peruvian communities, giving the country distinct regional languages and customs.
A few practical tips to help you fit right in: learn a few Spanish phrases (hello, please, thank you, excuse me) — people really appreciate it, and in Andean towns knowing a greeting in Quechua can be a lovely surprise. Carry small change for markets and street food, tip around 10% in restaurants if service isn’t included, and be mindful of pickpockets in crowded tourist areas (keep valuables secure). Embrace the slower, social rhythm of meals and markets, attend a local festival if you can, and taste as many new dishes as possible — Peru’s food and landscapes are worth every adventure. Have an amazing trip, and tell me what part you liked most when you get back!
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