January 15, 2010

Fiesta del Nino Perdido in Huancavelica – Peru 

Huancavelica is a state (or “department”) of Peru, and it is also the name of the capital city of that department. Peru, a country in South America, used to be colonized by Spain, and the Spanish language, the Catholic religion, and many other Spanish influences still predominate. 

This Catholic holiday is a sort of dance contest during a parade. In other words, the performers dance to the music of a live band, all through the city streets, ending in the Plaza de Santo Domingo, where one of the groups is chosen as the best. 

 Do this puzzle in order to learn more about Peru! 

(1-4) The most important street in a town is often called ___ ___ ___ ___ Street. (HINT: There's a street with this name in Disneyland.) 

(5-9) A female monarch, or the wife of a king, is a ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ . 

(10-13) The sound a happy cat makes is a ___ ___ ___ ___ . 

(14-17) A boat that travels by wind needs one or more ___ ___ ___ ___ . 

(18-22) The opposite of tall is ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ . 

(23-27) Ballet is a kind of ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ . 

(28-35) Vegetables mentioned by the Walrus in the silly poem in the Alice book Through the Looking-Glass:

“The time has come,” the Walrus said, To talk of many things: Of shoes—and ships—and sealing-wax— Of ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ and kings—“

(36-37) “To be or not to be, that ___ ___ the question.” 

Now fill in the letters you worked out above to figure out these items about Peru: A. The name of the native empire that ruled Peru, before the Spaniards came 

B. The name of the mountain range that runs through Peru and the rest of South America 

C. The capital city of Peru 

D. The Spanish word plaza means a city ____________ 

E. A main attraction of Huancavelica 

F. A kind of food that is famous in Huancavelica, prepared with the sheep, goat, goat, pig, guinea pig, and beef, with corn, potatoes, cheese, beans, cheese and humitas 

ANSWERS: 

(1-4) MAIN  

(5-9) QUEEN 

(10-13) PURR 

(14-17) SAIL 

(18-22) SHORT 

(23-27) DANCE 

(28-35) CABBAGES 

(36-37) IS 

(A) INCA 

(B) ANDES 

(C) LIMA 

(D) SQUARE 

(E) HOT SPRINGS 

(F) BARBECUE

Take a virtual tour of Peru. 

Explore a kids' website about Peru. There are maps, videos, brainteasers, and so forth!