Tafi del Valle

A combination of mountains, rivers and an ideal climate makes Tafi del Valle the most popular tourist place in Tucumàn. It invites the visitor any time of year.
Its name derives from the diaguita word "Taktillakta" which means "town of splendid entrance" - Diaguitas were the aborigens wich inhabited the area.
The Santamarina culture flourished at the Tafí Valley between the 13th and 14th centuries. They were farmers and shepherds and their technological development was superior to the previous cultures.
By the end of the 15th century these societies fell under Inka domination. The Tafí Valley region was a strategic region for that empire because it played the part of a natural border that stopped the advance of the enemies.
In its origins there was no way to reach the place except by horse. In 1943 was built the present route.

The village is a privileged place because of its beautiful landscapes and cultural heritage. It is situated in a deep depression and borders on Calchaquí Mountains to the east.
It is located at 107 km from the capital and 1976 msmn. To get there your must go by National route 38 in south direction and then take Provincial route 307 in west direction. The trip is through the "yunga" , a jungle with a variety of plants and trees.
Tafi is situated in a deep depression and borders on Calchaquí mountains to the east All the valley join the landscape’s beauty and the weather’s benignity, in summer the temperatures is nice (maximum 26°C ) and in winter it snows (maximum 16°C) Tafí provides an excellent alternative to enjoy interesting sightseeing and excursions to the high mountains.
Van excursions to Los Sasos River , hiking to Pelao Hill , horse- riding to Quilmes ruins or rides by truck in the valley are some of the chosen activities by tourists.
The visitors will find outstanding sites like Nuestra Señora del Carmen Church , la Quebradita , a narrow pass and La Angostura dam which is an ideal place to fish pejerrey or practice water sports.

Apart from that, there are a few archaeological reservations, some of which are almost unexplored.
Thousands of tourists choose Tafí del Valle as a place to spend the Holy Week in order to celebrate Easter. There is a play called “ The Passion “which commemorates Christ´s Passion and it is performed every year by local actors and actresses.
At aproximately one kilometer there is a monastery built by the Jesuits in XVlll century. Besides, there is a museum that protect a precious and historical heritage and it is one of the most important in the argentinian north.
Before leaving Tafi there is a recomendation to take into account. Following route 307 there is a path in the left hand which goes to Casa Duende. Ilustrations, ceramics, sculptures and paintings worth the visit to the place that was declared of turistic and cultural interest.

Where to eat
Restaurants
El Parador Tafinisto Av. J. D. Perón Esq. G. M. Critto Tel: 42-1241
Rancho de Félix Av. Belgrano y Pte. Perón Tel: 42-1022

"Criollos" Restaurants
Parador Parrilla Restaurante Avenida Juan Calchaqui S/N Cel: 15-589-1531 / 15-604-2505
Hotel Mirador del Tafí Ruta Prov. 307 Km. 61,2 Tel: 42-1243

Where to sleep
Tafí Av. Belgrano 177 Tel: 42-1007/ 1452
Mirador del Tafí Ruta Prov. 307 Km. 61,2 Tel/Fax: 42-1219 / 1243
Huayra Puca Los Menhires 71 Tel/Fax: 42-1190

General Information
Medical Assistance
Hospital Av. San Martín s/n Tel: 42-1031

Banks
Bank of Tucuman-

7

Mrs Crabtree, Mrs Fairfax, and Daniel were all wearing red

Euthanasia

This controversial issue has been point of debate for many years and took
the world atenttion since Dr. Kevorkian was accused of assiting many
pacients in several suicides.
On the one hand, there are people that agree with euthanasia. The main
points are that tremendous pain and suffering of patients can be saved, the
right to die should be a fundamental freedom of each person and patients can
die with dignity instead of suffering.
Some people think that nurses and doctors could work on savable patients and
pain and anguish of the patient's family and friends can be lessened, and
they can say their final goodbyes, friends and family of the patient often
suffer as much or more pain as the patient himself. Vital organs can be
saved, allowing doctors to save the lives of others. We have long waiting
lists for hearts, kidneys, livers, and other organs that are necessary to
save the lives of people who can be saved. Without physician assistance,
people may commit suicide in a traumatic way.
On the other hand there are people who are completely against Euthanasia
because they think that It would violate doctors' Hippocratic oath and that
it demeans the value of human life. Many religions prohibit suicide and the
intentional killing of others. The most basic commandment is "Thou shall not
kill". There are also people that believe in miracle cures or that
recoveries can occur. It is important to say that many times doctors are
given too much power, and can be wrong or unethical.
From my point of view there are more pros that cons in this theme. The most
important is that everybody has the right to dye with dignity and it is a
personal election and it is a humanity issue to help people with terminal
illnesses.
http://www.balancedpolitics.org/assisted_suicide.htm

Eathquake in Peru

="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/17/world/americas/17peru.html">http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/17/world/americas/17peru.html

Vocabulary

Toll: the number of people killed or injured in a particular accident.

Sway: swinging movement side to side.

Summary

This is an article about the eathquake that took place in Perù on August 16.
At least 437 people died and 17.ooo lost their houses.
The main places affected by the earthquake are Pisco and Ica. In Pisco a port city 125 miles from Lima dozens of people were in the Cathedral when it collapsed.
A lot of people is sleeping in the streets and squares, they are afraid of going back to their houses.
There is lack of power and water in many cities and people need food, water and medicines.
The President Alan Garcia flew in to the most affected places and said that government will do all the things necessary to help people whose houses fell down.
In Chincha Alta, a wall of a prison collapsed and at lest 700 prisoners escaped. Most of them returned by their own because out of prison they do not have neither food nor a place to sleep.

Personal opinion

I am very sad because of the earthquake in Peru . As always in world history the most affected are poor people. This is a moment to value and to think about the importance of our own life above trivial matters like have a lot of money, wear beautiful clothes , have luxurious cars or have the best house .

Bush and Olmert support to Palestinian President

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19308597/

Summary

This is an article from Newsweek Magazine, about the support of president Bush and Prime Minister Olmert, for Palestinian President Mahamoud Abbas. The had a meeting at the Oval room in the White House.
They spoke about the recent issues in Irak where the extremist political party Hamas took by force and violence the control over Gaza where there are 1.500.ooo inhabitants. Olmert pointed that Israel will not be indiferent to human suffering in the zone.
The Midest expert, Jon Alterman, said that the split of the territory is not a problem tha USA can fix with money. There are inner problems related to corruption and inneficiency.

Personal opinion
Middle east is a dispute that comes from long time ago and although all people living in the zone have their rights it seems that it is a problem will never end.

My most memorable summer

The most memorable summer I had was in 1980 when I was 20. I traveled to USA and my dream came true !I went to Disneyworld.
The trip was organized by a travel agency and I met the group few days before de trip.
I felt a little nervous because in those days was unusual that a girl went alone ( without a friend, or a family member) to a distant country, so the day of the flight I said good bye to my mother and father as if I was going to the cinema.
Once I was in the plane I forgot everything, I felt so excited and anxious of being in way to concrete my dream.
I will never forget the day I arrived at Disney and got into the monorail train that took me to the front door of the park. As soon I began walking I felt I was in a fairy tale. The music of Disney sounds everywhere and all the characters , Mickey , Minnie, Pluto, and others were greeting us. Further was the Cenicienta Castle , I stopped there, and took a lot of photos that I kept as a treasure.
I was thrilled by the scenery, and went through the tales I had learnt when I was child. I flew with Peter Pan, traveled to future, went back to past, all the same day !
It was an awesome experience I’ll keep in my heart for ever.

Me by me

An aspect of my personality that I developed recently is sociability. I enjoy coming to university and sharing time with my classmates. Although they are younger than me, I think I learn many things of them.
My goal is to be Lic. in Tourism so I’m enthusiastic on my studies.