The article below is an invitation from the students of Nivel Intermedio Básico, Group E. to the internet community to come and visit Cartagena.

It was written over a period of six weeks from October to November, 2007. It is a piece of collaborative writing, i.e. all the students in the class, edited, corrected and contributed to the article using a wikipage www.pbwiki.com. The use of El Aula Plumier of the E.O.I. was essential. The role of the teacher was to suggest changes and to be the chief editor before it went to press. However, the journalists were the students themselves and the high standard of work is a credit to their motivation, initiative and interest. Once you read it, I am sure you will agree that Cartagena is indeed, a wonderful place to enjoy yourself.

 Anton Maojo Youl

Cartagena a wonderful place to enjoy yourself

 ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS AND MUSEUMS

 Cartagena has many archaeological sites. Several ruins haven’t been uncovered yet. Throughout the old centre you can find museums with remains of Roman buildings. Also, if you walk along the street you can discover different kinds of cultural itineraries such as baroque, modern or contemporary.

 Nowadays, the Town Hall tries to join all these itineraries and as a result it has created "Cartagena Port of Cultures". This initiative allows visitors to enjoy a wide range of options, discovering the cultural and rich history of this town. This is an authentic journey across the centuries that will take you from the town's origins through to the present day. On the way you will discover its historic vestiges, its most emblematic places and the splendid collections housed in its archaeological museums.

For this reason, if you visit our city, you can know a lot of archaeological remains. So when you go sightseeing, you'll be witness to the period of greatest splendour under Rome between the end of the 3rd Century B.C. and the beginning of the 2nd Century A.D., as if you were living the experience in person. 

The most important archaeological sights are: The Municipal Archaeological Museum, The National Museum of Maritime Archaeology, The House of Fortune, The Centre of Interpretation of Punic Rampart, Augusteum, The Hill of Molinete, The Roman Colonnade, Decumanus, The Byzantine Rampart, The Roman Theatre, The Santa María La Vieja Cathedral, The Roman Amphitheatre, The Centre of Interpretation of the History of Cartagena and Torre Ciega (Blind Tower).

In our opinion, the best and most interesting remains are: The Roman Theatre and The Municipal Archaeological Museum.

The theatre was discovered in 1987, approximately. It’s incredible and marvellous to be able to see the way a Roman Theatre which was built in the late 1st Century B.C. is preserved, in the 21st Century,

The seats were built into the northern side of the Concepcion hill. The theatre’s cavea can hold up to 6,000 spectators and the scaenae, with 450 square metres, is bigger than Theatre of Merida´s cavea.

On the other hand, the most amazing Museum of our city stands on the site of the original Roman necropolis of San Antón.......

Also, there are other important museums which deserve to be mentioned such as: The Naval Museum, Carmen Conde - Antonio Oliver Museum, The Artillery Museum and The Ethnographic Museum. 

BAROQUE AND NEOCLASSICAL  

There is a baroque-neo-classicist itinerary, which you can visit  in the main streets of the centre of the city on foot. There are many important monuments: Technical University, Pavilion of Autopsy, The Wall of Carlos III, Arsenal Military, Church of St. Domingo, Church of Sta. Maria de Gracia "the New Cathedral", House-Palace Widow of Molina, General Headquarters, Church of Carmen and Park of Artillery.

 The most famous are:

- The Technical University: It was the former military hospital designed by the military engineer Sebastian Feringan and it was constructed between the year 1749 and 1762. This solid and wide building was one of the first works realized after that the city was transformed by the main Spanish Base Navy in the Mediterranean Sea. At present, the Technical University of Cartagena is one of the best in Spain with a long tradition and its degrees are highly prestigious. The atmosphere of the city is more fun now because of pubs and restaurant, etc, they are full of students.

- Arsenal Military: This building was constructed between 1739 and 1782 with King Charles III At present it is the only gate that there is in the city that is still preserved.

- General Capitanía: This building is situated in the centre of the city, in the known street "Puerta de Murcia". In this building, the General Captain of the Zone Maritime of Mediterranean Sea lives and works all year. Also, when King Juan Carlos I visits the city, he lodges here. The front is composed of three bays and its inside is very decorated: Its Imperial stairs is noteworthy.

MODERNIST CARTAGENA

You can find the modernist style in most buildings of the city centre , between the streets Major, Air and  España Square. 

In this way visitors can see all these wonderful buildings in a few hours on foot. In the middle of the street  you can admire the Casino, the Llagostera House and  Cervantes House. At the end of this street is the Grand Hotel and from there to Carmen Street, we can see the Pedreño Palace and the Dorda House.

Most of these buildings were built Victor Beltrí  in the twentieth century. In the LLagostera house you can see its fantastic facade where the figures of Minerva and Mercury appear. The building of the Grand Hotel is the most representative work of modernism in Cartagena. This building is characterized by its verticality and its over elaborate decoration. At the beginning of Carmen Street  is the Pedreño Palace. Its facade presents elements of classical architecture. On this same street is the  Dorda House. Its baroque facade, its courtyard  with arches and geometric design of walls, and a central fountain surrounded by gardens. To conclude our journey brings us to the Carmelite College, where you can see the influence of Gaudi in the decoration of the facade which tried to combine architecture and nature

Interview a boy from Cartagena:

A:(Journalist)

B:(boy)

A: What do you think about the archaeological sites in Cartagena?

B: I think the ruins in Cartagena are for tourists who want to know something of Cartagena and for many children that go to school and teachers who want to teach something about Cartagena to their pupils.

A: Do you know the different itineraries that you can visit at these sites?

B: No, I only know how to go to the theatre, and how to go home! (smile).

A: And, what about museums, and all things that you can find in them?

B: I don't remember, because the last time that I went to a place like this, I was very young. I only remember  the Roman theatre, and what the houses and the streets of those times were like.

A: Finally I want to ask you one more question. Do you like the ruins, the famous archaeological remains in Cartagena?

B: No, I don't, because they are very boring. If you want to know something else, you should study ( smiling).

EASTER IN CARTAGENA

 Easter is the oldest festivity in Cartagena. This festivity is a blend of Catholic tradition and military order. Easter in Cartagena is very popular because people feel the tradition. It's an event that has been declared of international interest and it's celebrated in March or April, it depends on the year.

Easter celebrations start in Cartagena before other places in the world, the early morning of the Friday before Palm Sunday. This Friday is the patron saint day of Cartageneros, “Virgen de la Caridad” and during the week these brotherhoods do processions.

In Cartagena there are four brotherhoods, which have assigned different days for their procession. These brotherhoods are “Cristo Del Socorro”, “Californios”, “Marrajos” and “Resucitados”. All brotherhoods are similar in their structure when they do a procession, which are formed by various groups.

Penitents, dressed with a robe, cloak and the “capuz” that is a kind of hood with conic form. This “capuz” only allow you to see out the front. These penitents are in formation and can’t move anywhere.

Grenadiers, dressed with the traditional uniform of soldiers of the earlier 19^th century.

The “Pasos”, which are represented different parts of the Passion and New Testament. These “Pasos” are transported on the shoulders of many people called “Porta Pasos”.

The military squad escort, formed by soldiers of the different barracks of Cartagena.

All brotherhoods have a different history and were formed at different times.

"Cristo del Socorro" - The brotherhood of “El Cristo del Socorro” was founded in 1691. Nowadays their colour is black but at first it was purple. 

"Californios" - The brotherhood of “Pontificia, Real e Ilustre Cofradía de Nuestro Padre Jesús en el Doloroso Paso del Prendimiento y Santo Celo del Bien de las Almas” was founded in 1747, it symbolizes Christ's passion and its main colour is red. This brotherhood is called “Californios” because circa 1747, two sailors who were in the Californian conquest, arrived Cartagena, joined to this brotherhood and donated a lot of money to it. 

"Marrajos" - The brotherhood of “Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno” was founded between 1565 and 1612. Usually it is called “marrajos” because in the 17^th century, the fisherman, didn’t have enough money to pay the maintenance cost of the brotherhood, and sold a fish called “marrajo”, and they used the money that they earned to pay their debts. Marrajos symbolizes Christ’s death and its main colour is purple.

"Resucitados" - The brotherhood of “Nuestro Padre Jesus Resucitado” was founded in 1940, and commemorates the Resurrection of Christ. Its main colour is white.

FESTIVALS AND OTHER INTERESTING FESTIVITIES

FESTIVAL CARTAGINESES Y ROMANOS. THE ORIGIN

“In 1990, I went on holiday in September. It was in Cartagena and I could enjoy, among other things,  the first festival the “Cartagineses y Romanos”. They were celebrated next to the port.

 The following year, it was held in the former artillery park where nowadays you can see the street San Juan. In those days, I already lived and worked in Cartagena. Then, a friend of mine told me all about the origin of this festival that is the most unique festival of the city today”.

 A brotherhood wantes to have a celebration in their city such as the “Moros y Cristianos” that took place in others cities. This celebration could be a faithful reflection of the birth of the city. And finally, they decided to revive the Punic and Roman history through theatrical representations and parades carried out by the people of the city.

 All the city enjoys this festival, its people and people of the other cities. It improves every year and already it has a fixed place, its “campamento”.

CARTAGENA AND ITS FESTIVALS

 Carthaginian and Roman celebrations are based on the Second Punic War, General Hannibal Barca and Publius Cornelius Scipio being their main characters. Commemorations star with the Quart-Hadast foundation in 223 BC and finish with the Roman victory in 209 BC.

 During ten days of celebrations, the extraordinary events happened under Carthaginian domination and up to the final battle they are celebrated and lived again in a wonderful atmosphere which involves both local residents and visitors.

  ACTIVITIES AND PARADES

 Carthaginian troops and Roman legions are the architects of the celebrations to commemorate the history of the city. They make magnificent parades wearing lavish costumes and weapons which remind us of the best films about Romans. During the second fortnight of September, Cartagena and its inhabitants relive their history and show the great deeds done by their Carthage and Roman heroes. Most of the celebrations take place on the same location as they happened more than two thousand years ago and both participants and audience live magic moments. During these 10 days more than 20 celebrations commemorate the history of Cartagena, among them the most outstanding ones are: "Quart-Hadasht Founding", The Great Roman Arena" and "The Great General March Past of Troops and Legions". We can also see "Tanit's Oracle", "The Wedding of Hannibal and Himilce", "The Conquest of Quart-Hadast", "Plenary Session of the Roman Senate" and many more celebrations full of beauty and colour.

  FESTIVAL CAMP.

 Part of the success of these celebrations is due to the festival camp. It is a large area where each of the 50 groups of Carthaginians and Romans decorates their own marquee, open to the public, to taste the most exquisite food and beverages of that time. This way the festival camp becomes a great citadel set in antiquity, where mercenaries from different origins, Iberian, Phoenician, Mastien, Carthaginian, Greek and Roman, art and symbolism are present in all the constructions. Nightlife at the festival camp bustles with activity and is full of life.

 During the festival, a typical marketplace sets up next to the festival camp. It is a beautiful place where you can taste different products, tasty potions or buy exotic perfumes, and at the same time you can enjoy the roller coaster, witch's train, crash cars...

ACTIVITIES

The Troops and Legions plan many enjoyable activities in the camp and children can also enjoy the fun fair.

The main activities are:

-         The first Friday: “Festival Inauguration” by the Mayor. From that day on, the camp and the fun fair are opened until early morning.

-         On Saturday: “Founding Quart Hadasth Espectacle” in which Hannibal decides to swear eternal enmity to Rome.

-         On Sunday: “Senate and Rome’s Day”. On that day is held six official acts.

-          On Monday: “Wedding Spectacle from Hannibal and Himilce”.

-         On Tuesday: “Oracle’s Spectacle” in Cartagonova Stadium.

-         On Wednesday: “Roman Circus’ Spectacle” where people will be able to see the fights between gladiators and wild animals.

-         On Thursday: The General Hannibal announces his arrival in Roma.

-         On Friday: “Big Battle Spectacle” which finishes with Escipion’s victory in Quart Hadasth conquest.

-         On Saturday: “Great Parade” where the Troops and Legions will march along the city.

-         On Sunday: “Festival Closing” with fireworks throughout the Festival area and the camp.

CARNIVAL IN CARTAGENA

 Cartagena did not have carnival for over half a century because it was prohibited but later it resurged in 1981. Nowadays 5000 people of all ages grouped in "comparsas" and "chirigotas" participate in the carnival.

-comparsa.- It's a group of people who dress up in identical costumes with spangles and  feathers and that parade dancing their own choreography. In the carnival parade there are forty comparsa among children, adults and elderly people.

-chirigota.- It's a group of people who write and sing their own songs and in their lyrics they make fun of politicians and famous people to denounce with sense of humour unjust social situations.

Seven chirigotas participate in the carnival. These chirigotas are different from those of Cadiz because they allow women to sing .

The main characters of the carnival are "Don Carnal" y "Doña Cuaresma". The first represents the fiesta, madness and debauchery and the other one represents the time of fast that precedes Easter.

During the week of carnival there are different events from the election of the queens and ladies of different ages, contests of costumes, tasting of paella and typical cakes until the fireworks on the last Tuesday of carnival.

OTHER FESTIVITIES

If you have enough time you can visit other villages near Cartagena, which you will enjoy, such as "Fiesta del Caldero" in los Alcázares in October and "Cante de la Minas" in La Unión in August.

In Summer we have a lot of festivities in villages near the beaches. Here you can see some parades,  fireworks and some coaches. For example: "Fiestas del Carmen" in July and "Mercadillo Berberisco" in August. Furthermore you can taste our typical gastronomy full of a variety of dishes.

TOURISM IN CARTAGENA

Tourism in Cartagena is bigger than before. Nowadays we can say that Cartagena is the most visited city in Murcia. 80% of the immigrants are foreign and the most of them arrive in Murcia and come to Cartagena, so this city is very important in order for tourism in Murcia to be bigger. Foreigners like visiting Cartagena especially in September when there is the "Cartagineses y Romanos" festival. They enjoy it a lot because they dance, drink and eat typical Spanish food.

 TOURISTS IN CARTAGENA

A lot of tourists visit Cartagena every year in order to spend their holidays in our city. During "Cartagineses y Romanos", Cartagena is full of people from other cities in Spain. This festival was declared a festival of National Tourist Interest and people who love History like it. However, if you go to the campamento at night, you will see young people dancing and drinking. Perhaps, they are not fond of History, but this festival offers a lot of possibilities like excursions, meetings, parades, parties...

In these two weeks, hotels are booked up and you must look for a place in advance to spend these days.

This happens in Carnival as well. However, there are more foreign people during September, because this festival is unique around the world.

The weather is warm almost all year, there is good food (Mediterranean diet), people are nice... for these and other reasons you should visit Cartagena.

 MUSIC FESTIVALS

There are many music festivals in Cartagena during the year. Some of them are La mar de musicas, el cante de las minas, Festival de jazz, Mucho más Mayo, MU Danzas...

MU Danzas is not a really music festival, but it is a dance festival. The MuDanzas festival came about in 2001in this festival we can see contemporary dance.

There are a lot of kinds of spectacles. They take place in the "Nuevo Teatro Circo" that is a theatre and one of the most special things is that some performances are on the street among the passer-by’s.

Some of the most important companies that take part are Mario Molina, Dori Sanchez, Nat Nens, Trini Martinez... Sol Picó is one of the most famous dance companies that comes from Cataluña. Besides, it is very funny because you can take lessons from a professional dancer and they are free. Children can’t be bored because there are special spectacles for them.

The Cartagena Jazz Festival is held in the Teatro Circo theatre in Cartagena. This festival was born in 1980 and for two weeks it fills the city with the best traditional and avant-garde jazz in the world. Artists like Cassandra Wilson, Rufus Wainwring or Bill Evans have visited it lately. It will take place next month from 1st to 17th November. In this edition, musicians such as: Benjamin Biolay, Lloyd Cole, Gal Costa, Roberto Fonseca, Ron carter, Chick Corea, Bela Fleck, Niño Josele, Robin McKelle, Richard Galliano, Gary Burton and Dianne Reeves will take part.

MUCHO MAS MAYO FESTIVAL.

It’s a festival for young people which was born two years ago. It’s a variety festival in which many artists from different genre take part. There are lots of things for everybody: concerts, poetry, sculpture, performances, cinema, theatre, graffiti, new technologies, photography...

This is a moving festival. The activities are, carried out around different streets and areas of Cartagena. It has a flexible timetable, so all kinds of people can enjoy it.

SPORTS

There are lot’s of sporting activities and events in Cartagena

 Diving in Cartagena

Cartagena is a wonderful place for people who like diving. Its coast offers numerous possibilities, from sandy places to rocky ones. Some zones are stunning like Cabo Tiñoso. There you can find very high cliffs that continue underwater to 50 meters in some points. Cabo de Palos-Islas Hormigas is a marine park; some experts say that in this place you can do one of the best dives in the Mediterranean (this is our opinion too); the protective laws have produced the sought aim: a place where Mediterranean sea life shows itself with splendour.

Inside the biggest salty lake in Europe, the Mar Menor, life is poor, but geological conditions have created a unique ecosystem; in this closed sea there was an important population of seahorses, famous in the World; however, human activity has been negative for these peculiar fish until the point that now it is extremely strange to find one specimen.

 Kayaking in Cartagena

 Kayaking is an aquatic sport that is growing continuously. Although most people reduce its practice to the summer period, the best time begins when summer finishes. The coast of Cartagena offers a diversity of landscapes that are able to satisfy the most exigent sport lovers. Here kayaking can be practiced most of the time thanks to the Mar Menor, a seawater lake that, although it is the biggest in its class in Europe, has reduced dimensions and, so, the conditions of the water are usually good when the practice of this sport is dangerous in the Mediterranean Sea. Other attractive properties of this coast are the presence of islands not far away from the coast; so, with a partner (for security), you can visit one of this island with the added adventure of travelling in the open sea and to land in a place where wildlife normally maintains itself better than on the continent.

 Swimming

 Swimming is an excellent form of exercise. Because the density of the human body is very similar to that of water, the body is supported by the water and less stress is therefore placed on joints and bones. Therefore, swimming is frequently used as an exercise in rehabilitation after injuries or for those with disabilities.

 In Cartagena there aren't a lot of people who practise swimming, in my case I love going swimming, and also I know two friends who go to Olympic championships. They have won a gold and a silver medal respectively.

 Sailing

 A sailboat or sailing ship moves forward because of the reaction to the inertia of moving air in its sails. Since the dawn of history this vital technology has afforded mankind greater mobility and capacity for fishing, trade and warfare. From moving the stones of the great pyramids from Aswan to Giza to allowing man to migrate throughout Polynesia to Nelson's defeat of the French and Spanish navies at the Battle of Trafalgar, mankind's history has been intertwined with this seemingly simple technology.

 In Cartagena a lot of people practice this sport. There are several sailing schools. There are in Cartagena, Los nietos, La Manga, Los Urrutias...etc. This sport is very interesting and here it is easy to practise because of the Mar Menor. If you practise this sport you could compete in competitions and win a lot of money. Here there are a lot of competitions.

 Windsurfing

Windsurfing is a surface water sport using a windsurf board, also commonly called a sailboard, usually two to five meters long and powered by a single sail. The rig is connected to the board by a free-rotating flexible joint called the Universal Joint (U-Joint). Unlike a rudder-steered sailboat, a windsurfer is steered by the tilting and rotating of the mast and sail as well as tilting and carving the board.

It is a difficult sport to practise in Cartagena, because here, there is little access to the sea and this sport needs a lot of water and a lot of wind, and here, there aren't either of these things. It's difficult but not impossible, you can do it in beaches like La Manga and Mazarron, but you won't find it very cheap. For example, here I don't know anybody who, normally, practises this sport but there are people who practise this sport as an activity on their holidays.

A change in my life

An important turning point in my life was when I told my husband that I was going to go to University. I wanted to be a nurse.

 I was a normal housewife with two daughters who worked as a telephonist in a big company. I worked six hours a day, five days a week. However, I was happy, I enjoyed my lifestyle, my family and my job. Everything was perfect except for my eldest girl. She was a sick girl.

 My first baby was a premature girl. She had to stay in the incubator for a month.

She had very poor health. We frequently visited the doctor’s.

       One day, when I woke up, I decided that I wanted to be a nurse.

      My husband couldn’t believe me. His first thought was: “you are a fool”.

      We discussed my decision. At the end, he understood my idea and I went to University.

      It was extremely difficult because I had to look after my children, I had to work, I had to study, I had to live, and so on.

      In spite of the fact that I worked very hard, at the end, I could finish my University degree in only three years. I was a nurse at last.

If my girl had been healthy, perhaps I wouldn’t have a degree as a nurse now.

Nowadays my family and I are healthy. My daughters are of age. I work in a hospital. I have free time that I use to study English.

Amparo Soriano

Do you want to know about the way famous people live? It’s possible!

If you want to know something exciting about an artist, you can’t miss this article.

Elieen Jones, who was born in 1976, is a wonderful painter. Since she was a child, she’s loved drawing. It’s been her favourite hobby. While she was at school, her teachers were really angry with her because she didn’t pay attention to class. She usually spent her time drawing. However, she often passed all her exams without problems.

After school, at the age of 16, she decided to go to an art college. Eileen knew it was very difficult to become successful in that career, and she was afraid of that. She didn’t want to disappoint her parents. They expected a lot from her. Her close friends supported her, and they told her she was extremely good at that subject and she didn't have to leave her dreams. She only had to find the key to success and for that, she needed more self-confidence. So, Eileen concentrated on her career and she got the highest marks in her class. She made the difference.

When she finished her art A-levels, a great deal of companies offered her a job. All that was driving her mad because she was under a lot of pressure, then, she made a decision: she wanted to set up her own company.

Nowadays, she’s working a lot to carry out her project. Eileen is opening her new Art Gallery, which is called The Imagination World, on 28^th August. She’s really happy and absolutely satisfied with herself. She’s getting everything she has wanted in life.

In September, she is going to fly to New York, and she would like to stay there for two weeks: a week for business and the other week for relaxation. In addition, she is going to move into a new flat in the centre of London because she needs a bigger place to keep her paintings and her current flat is too small. Apart from that, she has got a boyfriend, (who she met in her art college, there, both of them noticed each other quickly), and they are looking forward to living together.

Eileen loves children and she’s sure she is going to have one. She thinks she will have it in a year, when her career and her life are calmer. By the time the baby is a year old (about in two years), she’s going to marry her boyfriend, John.

Eileen is never in a rush and she’s a person who likes doing everything tidily.

That’s all, readers! Don’t miss our next article!!

NOTICE THE WAY THE STUDENT USES VOCABULARY AND PHRASES PRESENTED IN CLASS (which will appear underlined)

‘Bullying, a real nightmare’

Recent news and reports have it that related incidents of violence are growing up in both primary and secondary schools. There is no denying that the issue of ‘bullying’ is becoming the hottest topic in conversation in the school safety field. In this article, the concept of ‘bullying’ and further opinion are given in order to have a closer approach to the problem.

It is often suggested that Spanish people seem to use British terms as own, and ‘bullying’ is an outstanding example of those sophisticated gerunds of difficult translations into Spanish. ‘Bullying’ is concerned with verbal, physical, or other acts caused by a student to harass, threat, intimidate, hurt or frighten someone who is smaller or less powerful than you, often forcing them to do something they do not want to do. In other words, the bully puts the victim down and makes him feel at a very low ebb.

Although the episodes of ‘bullying’ have been traditionally attributed to Anglo-Saxon countries, recent reports pointed out that ‘bullying’ cases are growing in Spain, The Region of Murcia, and even in Cartagena and its neighbourhood, involving all sorts of controversial and opposite opinions.

The recent episode happened in the ‘Pedro Peñalver’ high school in the village of ‘El Algar’. It is a clear example of local ‘bullying’. An eleven-year-old boy required hospital treatment after being bullied. Students, parents and neighbours of ‘El Algar’ staged a street protest to express their  total disagreement with ‘bullying’. The Chief of Education stated in the media that he believed the injuries of the boy were caused as a result of falling off his bicycle. Judging from this statement, it seems that politicians are doing little-to-nothing at the present time to come up with a good solution.

On the other hand, far from the headmasters, teachers and politicians attitude, it is by no means certain that ‘bullying’ is not related to human nature, which is predicted upon Darwin’s Law of Evolution. This law states that the fittest and toughest survive. Thus, our personal life is a clear symbol of ‘bullying’. Who is not intimidated by a boss, doctor, lawyer, or work colleague from time to time? Who has never been bullied by a friend or partner through manipulation and overcontrol? How can we get the children straight when the audience figures of TV programs, such as ‘Big Brother’, increase with the confrontation, hassle and dirty play between partners?

The fact is that the society has become so aggressive and extremist and, as a result, lovely people have been forced to become bullies. Today, more than ever, apparently quiet and lovely people make crass things like honking horns at other drivers, kicking the dog, using taboo, racist and sexist words, and so on. How can school be different when adults operate in this way? Maybe, there is no way to tackle the ‘bullying’ problem until adults set a good example.

Horacio Sánchez Reinoso

5ºC – EOI

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS – AREAS I NEED TO IMPROVE

AT THE BEGINNING (How and when my interest in English began).-

            The making of this assignment has brought to my mind  the reasons why I’m studying English. I remember being a little boy ( as young as 8-10, although after the dinosaur extinction) and singing English songs as Spaniards (Spanish-speaking ) did; I mean, pronouncing words that sounded like English but with no meaning. The thing was that “I sung in English”, and that’s enough. In those years all the music that came from U.K. or from U.S. was fascinating to me. I was eager to begin to study English at school and this did not occurred until I was eleven. At that time I was a fan of “Deep Purple” “Elton John” or for instance “Cat Stevens”; the Beatles era was nearly ending.

            As I was growing up, my knowledge and interest in English increased, and so it has been happening up to now, but the fact is that the more English I study the less I understand English spoken by British people (I think Scottish-English-speakers’ pronunciation is clearer).

A WHOLE LIFE STUDYING ENGLISH (my day to day with English).-

            As I’ve said before, I began studying English early (I studied at a nuns School where discipline was very strict and I had to study hard every day), in the 70’s. I had an old man teaching English  who worried too much about his pupils, and usually, he gave us a lot of homework to do, but I felt pretty happy with this situation because I loved English. In this way, the learning lasted until I had finished my degree in Biology. We, at Biology Faculty, only studied scientific English. By that time I used to buy English papers to improve.

            Quite apart, I started, from the second course,  at “Escuela Oficial de Idiomas” in Cartagena and got my Elementary Grade Certificate; I found it really useful to get better marks and so have more chances to become a teacher: It is what I am at the moment.

            Because of one of my greatest desires is to understand and speak English in a better way we        ( my wife and I ) usually travel to G.B. at least once in a year.

BUT... DESPITE MY EFFORTS, I DON’T UNDERSTAND THEM !!!!!!!

            We have visited Edinburgh, London, Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, Lackock, Stonehenge and Glasgow. Our neighborhood at the beach is mainly British. I usually watch English speaking channels,  English DVD films even I bring books in English from my trips...

            But, to my despair, I am still incapable of understanding spoken English apart from  BBC  or Tony Blair’s one.

CONCLUSIONS.-

            According to all above mentioned, I can conclude there is only just one way to speak and understand a language properly: living in the country whose tongue you wish to be an expert on.

            In this way I need to improve my pronunciation and listening skills, and I consider “Escuela Oficial de Idiomas” is a good chance to achieve it but not the most appropiate even though teachers do their best.

            Finally, I want to say that my major hope is to get  the Higher Certificate in English so that I can use it for my job, i.e., to teach bilingual Maths and to climb the corporate ladder

AN ACTION PLAN TO IMPROVE MY ENGLISH DURING THIS COURSE.

HEADING:

This book covers the main areas of English grammar and it concentrates on areas I need to improve, so I  hope that by the end of the course I will be able to get qualified.

This will be one of my main priorities because it will mean that I will be able to get a reasonable knowledge and the ability to put across my ideas using English grammar at an advanced level.

AREAS WHERE I NEED TO IMPROVE:

- Concentrate on the wide selection of colloquial expressions, phrasal verbs and idioms that The Cutting Edge Advanced Phrase Builder shows with the exercises.

- Another important problem is the fact that speaking up in public or in front of the class really embarrasses me, but I will try to avoid that.

- I´d find it very useful to prepare more grammar structures at an advanced level, mostly, it comes in useful for the writing exam.

AREAS WHERE I FEEL CONFIDENT:

One thing I am good at is that I try to write down on a paper all those words, useful phrases or expressions that I consider important to remember, so for that reason, I´m willing to put this into practice.

During the class, I will write on the notebook those structures that are more typical of written or spoken English and both in formal, used in limited contexts, and in informal English.

These targets should not only be accomplished  during the class but also outside.  With just one text book isn´t enough to become fluent.

That´s why I´ll read in English using some books, magazines or free newspapers that you can find very easily as well as take every opportunity to listen to English as often as possible, with the help of the library.

THE FINAL RESULT:

Only by being a hard-working student and active, the final results will be worthwhile and it will come up to my expectations.

That implies that the exercises must be done and ask my teacher any doubt that arises during the exercises.

           LEMON TREE

            It was a sunny Sunday afternoon. The kids were playing in the room and I was in the living-room with Susan, reading my favourite newspaper.

            We were the typical well-off middle class family with a comfortable standard of living.

            Susan, my wife, worked as a part time journalist for a prestigious environmental magazine. One of her main worries was that of making people aware of the paramount importance of environmental issues. She had all the qualities every man could ever wish; she was an attractive and sensitive loving woman, a family-committed person who felt pretty proud to be able to combine work and family, to which she devoted most of her time. In addition, Susan was a really hard-working woman, outstanding for being an excellent communicator, a responsible, enthusiastic, open-minded and tremendously creative worker. Everybody adored her.

            Steve, a 9-year-old little boy, had an incredible imagination. He was always inventing all kinds of stories. He often seemed to live in his own world and that was the main reason why he sometimes tended to be a bit introverted.

            Ann, the sweetie blonde blue-eyed Ann, was nearly 7. She was a light-hearted child who loved pets. She was actually good at drawing and her teachers agreed that it was no secret that she could become a talented future painter.

            Both kids had been brought up in a respectful, tolerant and cooperative domestic atmosphere, where everyone had their own home responsibilities, where the concept of family was the most appreciated value for all of us.

            And me, a 35-year-old self-assured estate agent who used to spend most of his time dealing with people from all walks of life, and who truly enjoyed being  with his family.

 We were such a wonderful family!

            Ten years have gone by, and I find myself in the same place, with my favourite newspaper, a hot Earl Grey cup of tea and… my Prozac tablets!

            Ann began to skip classes and failed her exams. Some months ago, she met a boy who plays in a rock band. They spend most of the time in her room or rehearsing their songs in our cellar. Now, it could be said, this is the most noise-polluted house in the whole neighbourhood. Besides, to make matters worse, she was recently arrested for spraying graffiti!

            My little Einstein is still very keen on science, but sadly, the longest talk we have had, as far as I can remember, took about ten minutes. It was to tell me he had decided to drop university so as to join the army. He wanted to develop his scientific skills there. Unfortunately, all his dreams seem to have come to an end since he was informed he will be leaving shortly for Iraq.

            Two years have passed now since Susan was promoted to editor-in-chief. That was a memorable day, but what I will never be able to forget is the day the apple of my eye introduced me to the global warming protester; the person who made her discover her real sexual orientation, who is her current partner: Carol.

            There is no doubt things have changed a little bit. I’m just sitting here gazing absentmindedly through the window at my yellow lemon tree and wondering what new surprises future will bring me. L

…I wonder how, I wonder why, yesterday you told me about the blue, blue sky and all that I can see is just a yellow lemon tree.

Fool’s Garden, Lemon tree.

                       Mª José García Manzanares (5ºC)

THE DAY WE BECAME MILLIONARE$

It was a sunny afternoon, the kids were playing in the room and I was in the dining room with Susan reading my favourite newspaper.

“Did you have a nice day at work honey?” I asked Susan while closing the paper.

“Not really…you know my boss, he is always so strict, and so rude, that sometimes I just wish I didn’t work there.”

The truth was that Susan and I, in order to keep our house well provided, had always had to work hard and long hours in jobs we didn’t really enjoy, since none of us went to university. Susan’s parents never wanted her to study, and to say the least. I never was brilliant at college.

Anyway we loved each other and had managed to stay together, and go through thin and thick.

After all this thinking, that’s when it hit me: I forgot to check on that lottery ticket I bought last week. Maybe because after all this years playing, I had lost my faith in winning.

I grabbed the paper again, and began to check the numbers one by one.

“5…1…4….4…6”   I couldn’t believe it at first, so I checked out four or five more times.

I’ll never forget the moment when I told Susan we won. We were shouting, jumping and crying over joy; the kids came to the dining room to see what happened, and even some neighbours worried about all the noise.

The next day we both decided to have a spare day at work and went to cash the ticket.

It wasn’t until some weeks had passed that we really began to think about what we would do with the money. I talked with some economy advisors who suggested that I should invest part of the money in some properties in the coast.

Susan quit her job and I decided to quit mine and set my own business.

We moved to another city, more suitable for our new situation, and took our child to one of those expensive public schools, in order to (at least that’s what we thought) assure them a good education.

The next two years were out of this world; everything was new and better, the new business was taking off the ground and we no longer had money problems. But little by little something was also changing.

Susan, who had always been so charming and  so funny, became quite snobbish and worried about “what people will say”. Her new full time job was to try to fit in with her new friends at that private club we joined.

The kids didn’t have many friends at their new school, and they were way more worried about their clothes brand than about their studies.

Over the next five years I became more and more involved with my new job. Negotiations, business travels, conferences, meetings… stress was killing me!

Then came the bad years. I was losing money with the investments I made, and the business was no longer so profitable.

My company was forced to close.

It’s hard to fall down when you’ve been so high. It took us a couple of years to come to terms with our new situation again. We had to move back to our city.

Gradually everything returned to the place were it started. I managed to recover my first job, but now I had a higher position, thanks to the experience I gained running my own business.

Susan got a new job, and the kids entered high-school.

Now we are not millionaires, but neither have any money problems, and we don’t need to work that many hours.

It’s only after experiences like that when you realise what is really worth.

Now sometimes when I read the news in the dining room, just like I did that day, I look backwards and say to myself… “the loss of that money was the best thing that could ever happen to me.”

Miguel Martínez Gandía (5ºC)

"On holiday"

Presentación en Powerpoint

Miguel Ángel Gil Cartón ( English on-line 1ºB )

A TOURIST BROCHURE:
THE  ‘YOUNGEST’  LONDON

London is worldwide known for being one of the liveliest and most interesting cities.

If you are planning to have a break with your children, here you have a recommended number of places where kids and parents will surely find plenty of things to do while having a great time.

·          THE LONDON EYE

      One of the most attractive and successful attractions anyone shouldn’t miss is The London Eye. The highest wheel in the world provides a slow 30-minute ‘flight’, delighting passengers with an impressive panoramic view of the heart of London.

·          THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Go back to the dinosaurs’ age just at the very Central Hall, meeting the great diplodocus squeleton. Learn how these animals lived and why they disappeared. Traditional displays as well as modern interactive techniques show the visitors how life on Earth was like from the very beginning.  Don’t forget your camera! 

·          THE BRITISH MUSEUM

This is the oldest museum in the world. The building itself is worth a visit. It contains a vast collection of treasures from ancient cultures, outstanding the Egyptian mommies, which is the most popular exhibition. Children usually find this section particularly appealing and really fascinating.

·          THE SCIENCE MUSEUM AND THE IMAX CINEMA

      Discover the secrets of science, technology; how old artefacts have developed from the eighteenth century up to now as well as the way they work. Follow the special route for children and let them investigate amazing materials, get on planes or discover the mysteries of space by having the adventure of a rocket launch on a travel space simulator. Finally, get into the unknown world of the deep ocean, go for a spectacular 3D walk on the moon or feel the fierce force of nature in the astonishing IMAX cinema.

·          SHOPPING: HAMLEYS

Kids could go absolutely ‘crazy’ at this especially magical toy store, well-known for being one of the biggest of its kind across Europe. The shop has seven floors with all types of toys and gadgets. There is a wide range of prices and that is the main reason why parents will not be able to refuse that some of their children’s dreams come true.

·          BUCKINGHAM PALACE AND THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD

The official residence of the Queen is one of the most famous and easily recognisable buildings in the world. The Changing of the Guard takes place at the front of the palace and it is a very popular event for visitors. The youngsters will be surprised by such a bright and colourful parade.

·          HYDE  PARK

Have a rest at this awe-inspiring open space in the centre of London.  Children will enjoy with the great amount of activities the park offers:  playgrounds, wildlife watching, rowing at the Serpentine lake, horse-riding…there is something for everyone at Hyde Park.

·          MADAME TUSSAUD’S MUSEUM

“Will you recognise them?” This wax museum will surprise you with one of the finest collections of famous figures around the world. Pop stars, the Royal Family, legendary actors, prestigious sportsmen… all of them have room in this sensational site. Kids will love it! 

                                                                                  Mª José García Manzanares  (5ºC)

Valencia: The Joy, closer than you think

Is your conception of paradise a place bathed by the warm and clean waters of a marvellous sea, where there the sun always shines, and you have all kind of facilities within reach?

What if I told you all that is here in Spain? Just turn your head to that Eastern point on the map. There you have it, Valencia. Let’s outline some reasons to visit it:

Summer dreams

Bathed by the calm waters of the Mediterranean, and located in a region where the weather is always good, Valencia is a great choice for those who love the beach.

Sunbathe, have walks along the sea shore, practise any summer sport, meet new people, relax playing golf. El Saler and Malvarosa beaches offer that and… much more.

Nature

Discover the natural spaces around the city. All along the Turia river you’ll find the Turia Gardens : kilometres and kilometres of parks, open spaces and botanical gardens.  The ideal place to have some fresh air, and take your pictures.

Not just art

You can’t come to Valencia and not visit the great Museo de las artes y las ciencias. Just watching its marvellous structure you can realise it’s not just any ordinary museum. It’s a place where everything is interactive, and you learn while having fun. Divided into four sections, it satisfies everyone’s curiosity:

o        Enjoy the opportunity to discover some physical principles and phenomena in the “Museo de las ciencias” museum.

o        Meet animal species from all around the earth in the     “Oceanografico”.

o        Get surprised by the huge 180º cinema at the “Hemisferic” where you can almost sense you play part in the movies.

o        Art and entertainment come together in Palau de les arts. The latest technology at the service of the music, theatre and dance.

Later at night

If you don’t want to go to sleep after all the previous activities, Valencia still offers you the best alternatives when the night arrives.

The most famous clubs and dance floors for those who are tireless, with a wide variety of the most trendy styles and music.

 Because there’s no need to travel any further when you have everything just a few kilometres away. Come to Valencia.

The EOI Big Issue Part 2

As we all know, nowadays, languages are growing in importance in our society. The learning of different languages not only implies the speaking skill itself, but also the knowledge of different cultures as well as the understanding of other peoples’ behaviour.

For that reason, we, as students, must be provided with appropriate conditions. This proposal aims at demanding the Educational Authorities some aspects. 

A FOREIGN LANGUAGE ASSISTANT

Although teachers are well prepared and qualified we, as students would improve the foreign language by means of enjoying lessons with an English, in my case, assistant. He/she will provide us with a real English input as well as his or her experience with the target language, at least, once a week.

STAFF

Bearing in mind the importance of learning a language, the number of teachers should be increased for different reasons. First of all some languages, such as English or French, are over crowded, especially at the very beginning of the academic year. Therefore, if the Educational Authorities engage more teachers the rate of students per class would be reduced and we could take part on the lessons more actively. In other words, no way do we learn a foreign language without communication. Besides, by counting on more teachers the timetables would be more flexible and, consequently, more opportunities to receive a higher number of learners.

LIBRARY

The library plays an important role in our EOI since it allows us a closer approach to the Foreign Language by using DVD’s, or CD’s as well as books and complementary materials related to the target language.

Unfortunately, our EOI hasn’t got a person devoted to the library. This fact reduces our possibilities of improving our learning since the hours it is open it is because a teacher has some minutes to carry out this task, which is not his or her competence and being in charge of the library while they are ‘wasting time’ on preparing the next lessons or attending students. Thus, a librarian is required to develop this job and make the access to this essential place for us easier and, obviously, the access to the target culture.

             CONCLUSIONS

            By mentioning all these aspects we don’t want to say that the EOI in Cartagena does not fulfil all the requirements. However, it is obvious that the more improvements are included in our school the better for the students.

The building of the EOI in Cartagena

LLANOS GARCÍA LÓPEZ

The EOI Big Issue (Part 1)

REPORT: MAJOR PROBLEMS IN CARTAGENA

This report provides an evaluation of the major problems in Cartagena, in which the lack of car parks and the existence of high levels of air-pollution stand out as the most important. For the drawing up of this report we conducted a survey among 1.500 citizens to analyse the diversity of opinions about our city.

1. - CAR PARKS

The most important point considered was the lack of car parks in the city centre. Over six thousand of people drive every day through these streets in order to park their vehicles. In this way, over six car parks are needed at least (at this moment there are only four car parks in and around the city centre). In addition to this, the parking garage in Calle del Carmen street will disappear as a consequence of the pedestrianisation of the area.

2. - POLLUTION

Despite of the decreasing levels of toxic substances in the air in the last five years, conspicuously since Potasas y Derivados was closed, there are other important types of pollution that enable Cartagena to have the doubtful honour of being one of the dirtiest towns in Spain.

Thirty per cent of the interviewees agreed on the idea that the council has not seriously tackled the matter of contamination yet. In the streets the rubbish is not always cleaned and debris and rubble are spread over abandoned ground plots. Besides, tons of oil and waste products are spilled every year on our coasts and we do nothing to stop it in the meanwhile.

3. - OTHER PROBLEMS

Other problems that were also indicated by the citizens that took part in the survey could be presented as follows: 

o        the lack of green spaces and parks where children could play

o        the neglect of the Roman archaeological remains

o        the pedestrianisation of Calle del Carmen

o         the increasing number of immigrants (which is becoming out of control)

All in all, there are two important points to consider:

§         Firstly, parking your car is turning into an impossible task to perform

§         Secondly, the problematic danger of pollution has to be tackled, not only for the beauty Cartagena but also to contribute to an improvement of our citizens’ health.

§          

We would recommend undertaking stricter controls of rubbish and dumps and investing a considerable amount of money in car parks.

                                                             IGNACIO GIL DE SOLA BELLAS (5ºD)

 REPORT: MAJOR PROBLEMS OF CARTAGENA

o        Introduction

The aim of this report is to describe some of the main problems found in the city of Cartagena. Some of the most important weaknesses can be summarised as follows: green areas, crime and dirtiness.

• Green spaces

One of the most important issues is by far the lack of green areas in the city. In comparison with other similar cities, the conspicuous absence of parks has become a problem needed to be solved. It has not only effects on the landscape but also on the citizens’ lives, which are not able to find a place for them to have a walk or for their children to play.

o        Crime

According to the concerns of the majority of the population, there has been an increase in crime recently in certain areas of the city. It should come as no surprise that some zones have always been particularly dangerous, but lately the number of petty crimes has risen, especially in the centre. Both the insufficient amount of street lighting and the lack of police presence in those neighbourhoods are an incentive for delinquents to commit crimes. 

o        Dirtiness

A further point to consider is the dirtiness of the city of Cartagena. Far for being able to be solved, the problem continues. It is unanimously agreed that not only would an effort of the cleaning services be necessary, but also a change in inhabitants’ behaviour would be of tremendous importance for the matter to be settled.

o        Conclusion

All in all, there are many considerations to take into account in order to improve our city. The points above are only some of them, and I would recommend considering them when suitable with the aim of having a better city to live in.

                                                                     HELENA MUÑOZ AYUSO (5ºD)

The EOI Big Issue (Part 2)

REPORT: MAJOR PROBLEMS IN CARTAGENA

            The aim of this report is to present some of the main issues that worry the vast majority of citizens from Cartagena.

 ·          SPORTS FACILITIES

At present the Council of Cartagena is making efforts to provide people with a wider range of sports facilities. Almost every year, new sports halls are opened in different suburbs. However, neighbours often protest about the poor quality of the buildings, the inappropriate size of their facilities and the restricted timetables. But the most frequently heard complaint is that of the lack of public indoor swimming pools. There is only one in the whole city and that is the reason why it is obviously inadequate for a population of about 200,000 inhabitants.

 ·          GREEN SPACES

Another of the oldest and most popular demands is that of the need of large green areas, as well as a right preservation of the few existing ones. We all can sadly see how public gardens go dry and spoilt as soon as local festivities have gone by. Public parks, where children and the whole family could find a natural, safe and big enough place for fun and enjoyment, do not actually exist in our town.

·          LEISURE FACILITIES

People, especially the young, demand more facilities for entertainment.  Among others, Cartagena needs a conference centre and a good theatre. There is just an old cinema , recently refurbished and now used as a theatre, where important plays cannot be performed due to its small stage. Besides, the theatre programme hardly meets the audience’s expectations; plays can only be watched on working days. Musicals, concerts and big shows have not a set stage in this town either.

 ·          ROADS

A matter that has still to be solved is that of roads. Most of the secondary roads present appalling conditions with endless potholes and bumps all over the pavement, making driving a dangerous issue. Although cycle paths have proved to help reducing air and noise pollution as well as being a good method to exercise, there are just a few metres of such paths in our town. In addition, more and more drivers ask for a bypass road to avoid traffic jams and heavy traffic that are lately becoming an increasingly urban problem.

 ·          MILITARY FORTRESSES

Some time ago, Cartagena became one of the most relevant military enclaves in Spain. Even though this situation has changed lately, we still have remains of the past. There is a huge number of buildings and fortresses that have been abandoned, plundered and ruined. People wonder why this cultural heritage has not been properly preserved. The Council should pay more attention and make better use of these emblematic spots.

            All in all, there is much to develop and improve in this city. The local authorities could be aware of the citizens’ requirements to obtain a better and more comfortable place to live in.

                                                                    Mª JOSÉ GARCÍA MANZANARES (5ºC)

To : Ms Pilar Barreiro Alvarez. Mayor of the Council of Cartagena.

From: Loles Albaladejo Torregrosa (a citizen of Cartagena)

Date: 27 March, 2006.

Subject: The main problems that need to be tackled in Cartagena urgently

INTRODUCTION

            The main purpose of this report is to evaluate the problems that we can perceive when walking around Cartagena. Summing up a wide range of opinions based on the information provided by different citizens being asked on the street, they agreed to mention the following matters as the most important:

1-     TRAFFIC: CAR PARK ZONES / MOVEMENT OF TRAFFIC.

Nowadays, car owners find several difficulties to drive their cars in Cartagena. Not only in the main shopping streets, but also in the suburbs which are being built up in the outskirts. This chaos is due to the public building works in several of those streets. And a more specific problem is the lack of parking spaces. People have serious problems whenever they wish to park their cars, besides having to pay very high prices.

2-     THE LACK OF CLEANING SERVICES

Having clean streets is an important point for a city which is working on its development in different ways. One of the most striking aspects of this issue is the lack of litter bins all around the city. So as to have an optimistic reference of the city, we have to improve our appearance. It is unacceptable that we have not clean public squares, playpens, landmarks, etc… in so important a city, as Cartagena is. These places are always dirty and neglected.

 We could take the city of Murcia as an example of this issue. Suffice it to go around Murcia and to take note how they care for their monuments, landmarks and obviously their magnificent squares.

3-     THE CLOSENESS OF HOLY WEEK.

It is a well-Known fact that Easter is one of the most important occasions in our city. If the street works continue under construction, the inhabitants of this city would not be able to enjoy the Holy Week’s religious parades as we used to.

We believe it is one of the problems that need to be resolved urgently.

4-     POLICE PRESENCE.

As everyone knows, Cartagena is a city that is growing in a diversity of ways. A wide range of suburbs are being set up in the outskirts and obviously more police-officers are necessary. It is clear that an alarming increase of criminality is threatening society and we need be and feel safe. We should find solutions together. It has been suggested that matters could be helped if there was greater police presence on the streets and we agree on that point.

·          CONCLUSION

From all this, it follows that we must assume that the development of a city is no easy task and in conclusion we must to work together because we all want the best for Cartagena.

REPORT ON THE MAJOR PROBLEMS OF CARTAGENA

Introduction

The aim of this report is to give a general overview of the mayor problems which affect the city of Cartagena.

Focusing on:

1.      Ecological problems

2.      Social exclusion

Major information sources:

-          Economic and social studies undertaken in January of 2006 by the Institute for Research in Social Sciences of Murcia.

-          An interview with PILAR BARREIRO ÁLVAREZ, the mayor of Cartagena, about the state of the city, made on 12 January 2006 published in the newspaper La Verdad.

-          National Institute for Ecological Sustainability’s report (Cartagena 2005)

Environmental problems

·         Air quality is being monitored from different locations into the town centre and some suburbs for concentrations of fine particulates (referred to as PM10), such as airborne particles of dust, dirt, soot and smoke. In 2005, the PM10 level at which health risks are known to occur (25µg/m3) was exceeded on more than 18 days, or 1% of the time, in 2 of the 10 monitored points.

·         The water quality tests made by the hydrological sampling stations denote that although potable, it does not reach enough level of depuration as to catalogue it as healthy drinking water for day to day use.

·         Green places, parks and garden areas are not in enough proportion to the city size.

Social problems

The main social problems in Cartagena are related to immigration and poverty.

·         The immigration has had a significant increase in the past few years.

·         Poverty is present in the streets. Homeless people, people begging for money, people searching in the rubbish bin.

Recommendations

All these problems must be treated individually by the local administration. 

o         Immigrants are a group vulnerable to social exclusion and that must be taken into account and some special actions have to be carried out to promote integration of the immigrant population and growing diversity in the territory of Cartagena.

o         An environmental plan must be designed.

GAME OVER
...........................................................

I just want to know why?
Why will you leave me alone now
Why you turn to another way
Oh I beg and beg all this time
all to wish you the best, friend
I kept crying for you
in complete darkness
I was so lonely here
thinking of you
praying for you
to bring you the best
Why will you leave me alone now?
You don’t know, I’m not ready yet
You didn’t show me the way
I don’t know where to go now
I look around myself
and I see no roads
no streets, no paths
no panels to show me where I am
I got up thinking I won’t see you any more
I kept all night long praying for you
I don’t know yet if it works
I can’t believe you’ll still stay
I felt warm near you
just looking at you
just knowing you were next to me
And yesterday I felt so cold
I thought my eyes wouldn’t see the light
I thought everything was going to get dark
Hopefully you won’t go
I know one day you’ll have to
but I’ll beg everyday to myself
please go the latest you can
I’ll miss ya everyday
From today to the end
Since I remember now
you’ve always been with me.
I’m not ready to feel it again
feel me down, lonely and cold
with no one to help me
with no one who makes me fight
I’ll fight against anything
anything that I want to steal you
I know I’m not a soldier yet
but I’m sure you’ll be the bravest
I’ve been hiding until today
I’m sure you’ll never know this
but be sure you’ll always be in my mind
Have the best days
I’ll take care of you forever
Even if you don’t want to
I know how we feel lonely
I won’t leave you alone
We will walk the way
both together, to the end
with no maps, no advice
only the feeling we feel

NO TIME
...........................................................

You are sitting on you chair
as you usually do everyday
seem you are not worried yet
but it’s not true, babe
maybe it’s too late now
to change things today
you think you found
what you were looking for
you are with a sad face
your eyes keep shining
nobody knows why
you still listen to your tape
everything reminds you of him
oh, you hide this feeling
you can let him know
what you feel round him
your heart goes crazy
beating all the time
you get so nervous
just thinking how you feel
someone gives you a tip
just write him a card
and leave it at his door
you think that’s wrong
it never worked before
but a part of you says
try it again, babe
you don’t know
what to do
you want to let him
know the truth today
the time is ending
the countdown is finishing
you really think
he isn’t free
oh, try it, babe
just listen to your heart
oh, friend don’t
think of it and do it
he seems so rocky
a bit bad guy
but don’t worry
oh, babe, think that
your life could change
oh, babe, think that
you can change him too