THE IMPORTANCE OF PUNCTUATION!

PLEASE DON'T USE HIM

The ultimate adventurer:
Richard Burton & The Mountains of the Moon

1)

Richard Burton: He could be considered as the main character of the film. With a peculiar personality, this British polyglot feel and live his life in a risky and impassioned way.

John H. Speke: Richard Burton's friend through thick and thin, he is a selfish person who puts ahead of their interest and convictions.

Isabel Burton: Burton's wife who assume with resignation the Burton's lifestyle thanks to the immense love that she feels to him.

Lowry Oliphant: Speke's publisher who only think in one thing, himself. He does not matter whatever to do to reach their purpose.

2)

Burton is a real adventurer since he really appreciates the whole process of each one. He totally try to get involved in social culture which he visit, taking part in their ritual, traditions,...

Conversely, Speke is determined with the target and the benefits that could be earned in a trip. He consider other cultures in a contemptuous way.

3)

Firstly, both have different kind of mind and clash between them. As I said before, they have as purpose different objectives. Eventually they get to know during the trip, being good friends and even Speke falls in love with Richard. Finally Speke wants to reach glory and fame at the expense of breaking his bond of friendship.

4)

Richard is a revolutionary person, fighting against Victorian culture and tradition. He lived against the tide.

5)

Burton had a open mind, as a result he showed a great interest about slave's medicine. Furthermore the slave assisted to Burton, saving his life and becoming good friends and that the reason why Burton suffer his loss.

6)

Burton did not believe in Speke's theories about discovering the source of the Nile. Besides he was not in the best conditions to take part in this expedition because of he was still injured.

7)

Burton's theory argued that the source of the Nile was composed by some affluents whereas Speke said that the source of the Nile was only one lake (Victoria lake). As I see it, Burton was right since Victoria Lake is supplied by other rivers.

8)

Burton did not betray Speke; quite the opposite. Once they returned from his trip, Speke was recognized as discoverer of the source of the Nile alone.

9)

Burton did not gave importance to his words, because it was a lie. Not all that has been published is true.

10)

Despite having bad moments with Speke, Burton show his friendship sculpting his bust.

11)

We discussed in class this topic, traveller or tourist? I mean, Burton offer us another perspective about travelling, to focus on get involved in the culture of the place you visit.

 

Aphorisms

Aphorisms made by myself.

• Pay attention to your grandparents, listen to your parents, give an ear to your friends. 

• Once, of course; twice, do not worry; thrice, perhaps; four times, no longer.

 

• Everything can be bought with money, even money.

And extra aphorism:

• In detail is the essence of life. Could anyone tell me what is it?

Travelling to Zanzibar

Picture of typical stall in Zanzibar

The first and the most relevant thing which you must take into account before to travel is to planify it.

In this case, our trip to Zanzibar should be by plane, due to the lengthy and tedious route. Besides, we could obtain a significant discount if we book a charter flight, choosing all-in package in order to avoid misunderstandings with local people in case of we get lost.

It is widely known how breathtaking and stunning are beaches in Zanzibar, but is better to stay in a hostel in the city centre, where getting involved and immersed in the local culture is fairly easier. Self-catering is the best option since we will try the traditional food cooked with local products at picturesque pubs.

We cannot forget that the main purpose of this journey that has as its objective to improve the English level of our students, being it as a kind of study trip.

Therefore, among a huge range of activities, our pupils can find meetings to exchange of opinions with local people, screenings of movies, attend to talks, to practise different types of acuatic sports and so on. Obviously all these activities are spoken in English.

My favourite picture

THE SCREAM

DESCRIPTION

The Scream (Oil, temprea, pastel and crayon on a cardboard) is the most famous Edvard Munch's painting. In the foreground you can see an androgynous person at a promenade who highlights his facial expression. Behind him, you can discern two persons surrounded by a mysterious aura. A river is shown in the central part, painted with a range of blues and creating a clear distinction between him and an angered and unusual orangey sky in the upper part.

MEANING

Munch's The Scream is an icon of modern art, a Mona Lisa for our time. As Leonardo da Vinci evoked a Renaissance ideal of serenity and self-control, Munch defined how we see our own age - wracked with anxiety and uncertainty. His painting of a sexless, twisted, fetal-faced creature, with mouth and eyes open wide in a shriek of horror, re-created a vision that had seized him as he walked one evening in his youth with two friends at sunset. As he later described it, the "air turned to blood" and the "faces of my comrades became a garish yellow-white." Vibrating in his ears he heard "a huge endless scream course through nature."

PERSONAL OPINION

At first glance, The Scream produces me a mixed feelings such as fear, overwhelm, anxiety and even an emotional distress during a short time that is really difficult to explain. The strong colours that were used give the composition an intense energy and they makes me feel as the painting brings to life. The Scream inspires me to think about the importance of the life and how we should squeeze it every minute.

Getting to know one another

        I am Nacho (well, certainly this is my diminutive) though my full name is José Ignacio. I was born on 21th August 1988 in Motril, Spain. Therefore I am 27 years old. My family consist of my parents, one oldest brother and one sister older than me. Besides I have started a new family with my wife since we got married on October 2014.

I have been working as a physical education teacher until June 2015, but unfortunately I am currently unemployed. I do not consider to have a lot of free time. However, I try to enjoy this time cooking, especially Italian food and I consider myself as a sporty person being futsal my favourite sport to practise.In a medium-term I would like to start a family with my wife.

In my case it is essential to get a better job and I want to feel myself more confident when I speak in English. About learning it, I try to have fun and learn at the same time, for instance watching a movie. I have been twice in a English-speaking country, in Ireland and England some years ago with my wife and we really enjoyed these holidays.

I do not feel reading as a hobby, but I often glance magazines and comics before falling sleep. I could say that Rolling Stones magazine is entertaining. Conversely, I am fanatic of movies. I really enjoy it, outstanding Tarantino's films and being Django Unchained the best one. Therefore I like music so much, mainly electronic and rock n' roll. If I had to choose a music band, I would say Depeche Mode.

I consider myself good at practising sports, cooking and driving safely. Instead, I am not good at fixing things sauch as sinks, cars, wall plug, nor organizing trips or remembering jokes.

Among the places I have visited ever since I can remember, Paris, Toledo and Bruges are on the top of my list.

My parents and my wife are persons who I frankly like although I cannot forget my brother and my sister. Among prominent personalities I could highlight Steve Jobs, the Pope Francisco and Martin Luther King.