Peru, Peru
My parents came from Peru
My Dad from Arequipa and my Mom from Lima
Peru, Peru
Peru, Peru
My Dad and my Mom came to study and
Looking for better opportunities
Peru, Peru
Peru, Peru
Dad came here in 1973 and my Mom in 1983
They both were 21 years old
Peru, Peru
Peru, Peru
They both came here by plane
Both brought small luggages filled with dreams
Both were excited to arrive in the USA
Peru, Peru
Peru, Peru
They wanted to go back to Peru
They missed their families
They stayed
Because they had good jobs
But specially they had each other
Peru, Peru Written by Marcello C., a 5th grade student, during a “Journey to Lands Old & New” residency.

Antonio’s Journey
“I’m going to America today! I’m going to Ellis Island!!!” Antonio yelled. He was going to America today and he was leaving his wife and little boy in Italy. “And someday, you will come to America, too.” “Is it true?” asked Lena, Antonio’s wife. “Yes, it is, Lena. Then everyone will be one big happy family again!!” shouted Antonio. Tomorrow I will go on a train and go to the Immigrant Hotel. After I will go on the boat to America and I will see her, the Statue of Liberty!!”
The next morning Antonio got on the train to go to the Immigrant Hotel. “Next I’m going to America!!” exclaimed Antonio.
Antonio’s room was very small at the hotel. It had rats crawling in and out of his walls. There were spider webs in each corner and his bed was as hard as a rock. “This is not as I expected my hotel room to be like,” he said sadly.
The next morning was the ride to America! Antonio was wearing a black suit. He had only $10.00 with him. “This is a beautiful boat, just as I dreamt it would be, just as America will be!” “THIRD CLASS!!!!!” yelled the captain. Antonio boarded the boat. He was about to go to America for the 1st time.
Third class was not a pretty sight. He shared a room with a few hundred other people. His bed was worse than the hotel bed. “I figured I would have a nice bed with my own room!” shouted Antonio.
The boat rocked back and forth rocking everybody! People were opening windows and throwing up over the edge of the ship. He remembered the picture he had of his wife and son. He truly missed them and he wished he would of never came ot America.

“I guess I just have to go on my journey,” Antonio said.
The boat ride was a long 2 weeks. Antonio didn’t like it at all but soon all his problems came to an end. “I’m at Ellis Island!! HOORAY!!!!!!! Oh, finally I’m here. Now my dreams will really come true!!!”
Antonio walked off the boat stairs and got onto Ellis Island. He waited in line with thousands of other people waiting to be checked. Antonio’s turn finally came and he was perfectly healthy. “Finally, I get to live my life as a wealthy man!!!!!”
Antonio walked into a big city that was very busy. Antonio wanted to get a job and then he saw it. “That’s it! I want to be a gardener!”
Antonio worked at gardening for a long time.
Many years later Antonio’s son and wife came to America. When Antonio saw them he was amazed. “My son, Peter, you have grown so much. Oh I missed you so much,” Antonio shouted. “Antonio, Antonio, I have missed you so much!” yelled Lena, Antonio’s wife. “Me too,” yelled Antonio.
Antonio, Lena and Peter lived very happy in America. Right now Peter is my nonno (grandpa).

Antonio's Journey Written by Hannah L., a 4th grade student, during a “Journey To Lands Old & New” residency