Erasing Tattoos, Out of Regret or for a New Canvas

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/17/us/17tattoo.html?_r=1&ref=fashion&oref=slogin

Vocabulary

Canvas: A piece of such fabric on which a painting, especially an oil painting, is executed.
Fence-sitter: One who takes a position of neutrality or indecision, as in a controversial matter.
Pristine: remaining in a pure state
Wedding Gown: wedding dress
Wobbly: unsteady
Sprawl: To spread out in a straggling or disordered fashion

Personal Reaction

Tattoos have been used for ages. In the begginings they were used to show changes in life status but actually they are used as a fashion accessory. But as they are getting more and more common, regretting become a constant.
Laser tattoo removal has emerged as a solution. The process consists on a series of laser shots to break down tattoo pigments. Each session must be one month away from each other and the whole process might take several months. One special laser is used for each colour. It is a very costly, time consuming and painful technique but many people just do it in order to clean up the skin to get a new one. Different procedures are being investigated in order to make things easier. Dermatologist say that nurses are able to do the removal but they think it is better to turn to someone specialized that has studied what to do in the case of an allergic reaction or different mishaps.

There is one new invention which development might change the future of tattooing: a type of ink encapsulated in beads that breaks up with a special laser after only one treatment. It si not on the market yet but It will change the art of tattoing. If it works people will not have to worry about regretting after getting a tatoo. The procedure will surely be more expensive but it will not be as painful and time consuming as old techniques.

How "THE" experience got started

Ever since I was a child I had always dreamed of going on an exchange program to another country. My sister had one when I was about three years old and she awakened a special interest in me. Once I started going to school I found out languages were made for me. I would learn all different languages if possible. So as soon as I started with my English classes I very much enjoyed them.
Once I got into high school I realized my time was coming and I knew I had to start looking for more information on exchange programs. That is how I came across the Rotary Club. I had to fill a lot of forms and to go through a selection camp. After that they told me I was going to go to New Hampshire, a really small northeastern state in the US.
I got extremely excited and I started preparing everything. I bought winter clothes, bags and all the stuff I needed.
Then finally that day came. It was the 21 August of 2002, I arrived at the airport and surprinsingly most of my closest friend were there to say goodbye to me. That moment really meant something to me. Even though I cried a bit as soon as I got into the plane my emotions were different. I was no longer sad I was just anxious. I just wanted to get to destination and start the experience.
After fourteen hours I got to Boston where my First Host Family was waiting for me. As soon as I saw them I could see how nice they were. We started talking and had no difficulties in communicating during the two-hour car ride to Hancock, the little 9000-resident town where I would stay. They showed me everything they could and introduced me to quiet a lot of people.
As soon as we got into their house It felt warm and comfortable. I met their son and their daughter and we inmediately created a bond.
Once weekend came we took a short ride to Steve´s house. Steve Goldstein was the district counselor and he was in charge of all the exchange students in the area. He organized a barbecue so that we could meet to each other -the exchange students-. It was amazing to get the opportunity to have a conversation with people from all over the world. Then I realized I had taken a great decision.
About one hour after I got to Steve´s house Dieter, the guy from Germany, arrived. We started chatting and instantly clicked. Then the same happened with Conrado, the spanish boy and with Ali, the indian Guy. Out of the 27 exchange students we were, I knew they were going to become my best friends. And with the girls something similar happened with Dominique from Switzerland, Adelina from La Plata, Natalia from Chile and Gloriana from Costa Rica.
This a small summary about how things got started once my childhood dream became real and how my first days were once I got in the States.

Me by Me

I am sociable and outgoing, love making new friends and going out with them. I enjoy life as much as I can. I am adventurous and I think taking risks is necessary. I like going to the cinema, the theatre and playing sports. Travelling and dancing are my true passions.

THE OTHER MACHU PICHU

http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/06/03/travel/03inca.html?ref=travel

Vocabulary

• Alpenglow:A rosy glow that suffuses snow-covered mountain peaks at dawn or dusk on a clear day
• Sashay: To strut or flounce in a showy manner
• Pinwheel: a child's toy consisting of a wheel or leaflike curls of paper or plastic loosely attached by a pin to a stick, designed to revolve when blown by or as by the wind.
• Fuse: A cord of readily combustible material that is lighted at one end to carry a flame along its length to detonate an explosive at the other end.
• Shriek: to utter loud, high-pitched sounds in laughing

Report

Choquequirao, a city in Peru, has a lot of similarities with Mahcu Pichu. It is hardest to reach it and it is not very well known. It may be what Machu Pichu looked like before tourism inflow.
Originaly it was built by Topa Inca because of the similarities with Machu Pichu and it even had the same significance. The tow cities are boaut the same size and wer used for the same religion, political and agricultural functions. Excavation showed the city but a long time passed trough before Peruvian government started witrh the first restoration.
Choquequirao remains unknown but Peru has the intention of large-turism in this area. In the last years more people have visited the place.
Getting to it is pretty tough. The nearest city is Cachora which has no direct bus service. Once you get there, the scenary is breathtaking with the alpenglow on mountain Salkatay`s snow-covered summit.
Peruvian government is specially interested in preserving communities like Cachora and the other towns near Choquequirao in order to keep them from becoming a new Aguas Calientes, the closest town to Machu Pichu which has grown and became a tourist city. They do not want communities to loose their identities.
For now Choquequirao still belongs to their residents and keeps on being a place full of tradition and customs.