MACHU PICCHU: THE LOST CITY OF THE INCAS AND ITS TIMELESS LEGACY

Are you (1) __________ by history? The iconic Machu Picchu stands 2,430 meters above sea level on the eastern slopes of the Andes and is a not-to-be-missed destination if you plan to (2) __________ a holiday in Peru. Machu Picchu, the most (3) __________ of the Inca civilization, continues to spark much debate about why it was built and later mysteriously abandoned. However, it is agreed that the mesmerizing religious, ceremonial, agricultural and astronomical sanctuary, (4) __________ of around 200 structures, is a sight to behold. We bet you'll stop (5) __________ the breathtaking views as you explore the ancient site. Unleash your imagination when you walk through its gates, temples and houses, and simply marvel (6) __________ the Lost City of the Incas.

Join Our Community Gardening Program

Are you interested in growing your own vegetables? If you've tried our workshops, you'll want to sign up for (1) __________ session! In our program, participants (2) __________ to share tips and techniques for successful gardening. Each week, we focus on a different plant variety, providing you with the (3) __________ you need for successful harvests.

Our experts will guide you (4) __________ the art of sustainable gardening. You'll also receive a starter kit that includes seeds, soil, and tools, making it easier for you to begin your gardening (5) __________. We believe that a (6) __________ of benefits of gardening include a sense of community and the joy of growing your own food.

The high living costs after Covid-19, especially in clothing and merchandise, (1) __________. Years ago, buying second-hand goods was seen as unreasonable. Why would you want to pay for something that has already been used by a stranger? But now, it is a hot new thing that youths and adults are doing. It is clear that people have become more environmentally conscious. (2) __________.

Passing down clothes is not a new thing, and a person can then buy that item for half the price. Mrs. Bảo Trân shared that today's youth liked to buy expensive clothes to show off in a couple of pictures, then they would sell them back to the store. She had even almost quit buying new clothes because she could just buy almost unused clothes in a store that sells them at a 90% discount or even less. (3) __________. As 92 million tonnes of textile waste is produced every year, the fashion industry is throwing away more clothes than ever before.

Besides taking care of the waste, giving away or buying second-hand clothes also helps the needy (4) __________. Starting as a Facebook page for selling second-hand clothes, (5) __________. Volunteers can either donate their used fashion items to the shop to give to the poor or give them to the shop as free apparel. The only requirement is that the clothes should be in good condition.

1. The word "healing" has aggressively permeated the daily vernacular of the younger workforce. It is no longer utilized solely in a medical context but has evolved into a catch-all term for a specific, aspirational lifestyle. Travel agencies and hospitality groups now aggressively market "healing tours" to remote mountain retreats or forest hideaways. These packages promise more than simple leisure; they offer a structured remedy for the burnout and accumulated fatigue of modern urban life. The concept of rest has been repackaged as an essential, therapeutic intervention.

2. A distinct and lucrative industry has rapidly mobilized around this collective exhaustion. Silence, fresh air, and a disconnection from digital devices are now sold at a premium. Resorts charge exorbitant rates for meditation sessions, sound baths, and organic nutrition plans. The pursuit of mental well-being, once a private and internal process, is now visibly commoditized. Access to these restorative experiences is frequently predicated on substantial disposable income, creating a situation where the ability to effectively "heal" becomes an exclusive privilege rather than a universal right.

3. The ubiquity of this trend points to a pervasive underlying issue within the contemporary employment environment. The relentless exigencies of corporate schedules and the dissolving boundary between professional and personal time have generated unprecedented levels of stress. Young professionals often feel compelled to seek these expensive escapes not merely for enjoyment, but as a necessary maintenance strategy to sustain their productivity. The popularity of such retreats is a stark indicator of a workforce operating near its breaking point, seeking external solutions for systemic internal pressures.

4. A return to the city often exposes the transient nature of these expensive respites. The immediate alleviation of stress achieved during a weekend retreat frequently evaporates upon re-entry into the chaotic office environment. Critics argue that while such excursions provide a temporary, soothing placebo, they fail to address the root causes of the anxiety. True psychological restoration requires sustainable changes to daily habits and working conditions, rather than sporadic, high-cost interruptions to the grind.

(Adapted from SciSpace)

TAKING HOME THE WORLD CUP

1. Standing just 36 centimeters tall, the FIFA World Cup Trophy symbolizes the pinnacle of football achievement. Every four years, teams worldwide compete for it, but no one ever takes the trophy home. Made of 18-carat gold, the original trophy remains under FIFA's protection, with winners receiving only a replica. This measure safeguards it from theft, as the trophy has been stolen twice in its history.

2. The original trophy was made by a French sculptor, Abel Lafleur, and was called the "Jules Rimet Cup," in honor of the founder of the World Cup tournament. Sometime during the first three World Cup events (1930, 1934, and 1938), the name changed to simply the "World Cup." Then during World War II, not much was seen or heard of the trophy. It was being kept hidden in a shoe box under the bed of Dr. Ottorino Barassi, the Italian vice-president of FIFA, to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Nazi army. In 1966, the Cup was stolen during a public showing of the trophy prior to the World Cup tournament in England. Luckily, it was found a short time later, none the worse for wear, in a trash container by a little dog named Pickles. Four years later, Brazil earned permanent possession of the original trophy by winning its third World Cup title. Unfortunately, the trophy was stolen a second time in 1983 and was never recovered. The Brazilian Football Association had to have a duplicate trophy made.

3. [I] After the first trophy became the possession of Brazil's football association, a new World Cup Trophy for FIFA was designed by an Italian artist, Silvio Gazzaniga, in 1974. [II] This trophy cannot be won outright, but remains in the possession of FIFA, and rest assured they are watching it very closely. Today, World Cup winners are awarded a replica of the trophy that is gold-plated, rather than solid gold like the real one. [III] Gazzaniga's World Cup trophy weighs almost five kilograms. [IV] Its base contains two layers of a semi-precious stone called malachite, and has room for seventeen small plaques bearing the names of the winning teams – enough space to honor all the World Cup champions up to the year 2038. After that, a new trophy will have to be made.