Tourism causes benefits and problems (Journal 5)

Tourism is an important factor in the economy of many countries. According with some researches the tourism constitutes one of the most significant sources of incomes of a nation. For many developing countries, in particular small economies, tourism is the strongest economic sector. Tourism not only provides economic benefits, but also it provides certain disadvantages.It is true that tourism brings good incomes in the economy of some countries, but also it brings some problems which affect directly the environment of those countries surrounded by tourists.

Since tourism plays a important role in the improvement of the economy of developing countries, it has become a plataform in which exists a transformation in the lack of economic resources into a wealth economic. Tourism also provides the increase of employment. Many industries are benefited by the tourism, which is a important factor that provides new jobs. Tourism also provides excellent benefits to the countries bringing cultural pride and reduce the vulnerability.

In contrast, tourism provokes environmental impacts in those countries where the affluence of tourist is enormous. In those countries which are characterized for having natural areas, is where exists environmental damages. An increase in the tourism can ruin areas of natural beauty. Tourism can damage coral reefs, pollute beaches and destroy natural areas. Tourism also creates great consume of resources, for example, energy, water, and other. Tourism also bring changes in the infrastructure of the country because the more tourism, the more increase of construction which affect natural lands.

Indeed, many are the benefits that tourism brings to developing countries. Many industries are benefited with the affluence of tourism which contribute in the creation of job opportunities. The economic of the countries increase its profit. At the same time diverse are the impacts that tourism carried to those natural areas. The environment is suffer a change in its original structure which are fatal since natural resource are not renewable.

Getty Center Museum and Bowers Museum (Journal 4)

The Southern California has many museums to visit, but two interesting museums are The Getty Center Museum and the Bowers Museum. The two museums are full of valuables pieces of art which make of them two attractive places to visit. Both museums received every year thousand of visitors, and the two museums are considered part important in the history of California. The two museums look very similar, but both museum have many differences.

First of all, The Getty Center was founded in 1983, by J. Paul Getty who also donated this building. The museum is characterized for its singular architecture which is Modernism. The Getty Center was built over a mountain which makes of the place an amazing and unique museum. The visitors must to leave their cars in a building located five miles from the museum, and they have to ride a train from the top of the parking lot to the installations of the museum. Riding the train is other singularity of the museum because you can admire the beutiful enviroment surrounded around while you are transported to the museum.

In contrast, The bowers Museum was founded in 1936 by Charles Bowers who donated the land where the museum is located. It has more of 70 years of history. The architecture of the bowers museum is Classic Spanish very different from The Getty center which is contemporany. The Bowers Museum is located in the city of Santa Ana, California. Arrived to this place is very easy by following a map, and the parking is located in the same building.

Other difference is that The Getty Center Museum has many room with exposing pieces the art but basically it exhibits paints. The museum possess important paints from Van Gogh and Monett. The Getty Center has recently a especial exposition of the work of a famous Italian sculptor who name is Cian Lorenzo Bernini from 1598-1680. The sculptures of Cian Lorenzo were made with the influence of the Catholic religion. The museum also offer a exposition of photography.

Whereas The Bowers Museum has six permanent galleries. The museum basically exibits pieces from the Azteca culture from Mexico, and other Asian cultures. The Bowers Museum offers a exposition of jewerly that makes one of the most important galleries in the museum. The Bowers museum has in these days a exposition of the Chinese culture which is called "Terra Cotta Warrios". The figures have over 2200 years old. Only two museums in the U.S have this especial exhibition because of the difficult transportation of those pieces.

In conclusion, both museums look very similar but are differentes. Nevertheless both museums are interesting places to visit in the state of California

My visit to The Getty Center (Journal 3)

On August 30, 2008 I visited The Getty Center, in Santa Monica, Ca. I was impressed of how beautiful and interesting this place is. In 1983 J. Paul Getty bought the land where today this museum is located. Mr. Paul Getty chose the famous architect Richard Mejer who is characterized for his contribution to architectural Modernism. Finally the Getty Center opened to the public in 1997. This museum is free thanks to Mr. Paul Getty who donated the building and the pieces of art that are exhibited in this amazing place.

This museum offer to the public different expositions. I had the opportunity to see a special exposition of sculptures which are the work of a famous Italian sculptor, Gian Lorenzo Bernini from 1598-1680. Some sculptures exhibit in the museum were lent by The National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, and others. The work of this sculptor is dominated by religious themes from the Western European art. The room where is the exposition of Bernini is jealously guarding.

The sculptures that most caught my attention are portrait of Cardinal Francois d' Escoubleau de Sourdis 1621-1622 it sculpture was thrown into a well during the religious unrest of 1790 fomented by the French Revolution. Other sculpture is portrait of Carlo Barberini about 1632, this portrait reveals a transformation of the traditional papal portrait because looks like speaking. Finally other sculpture that is really impressive is the portrait of Louis XIV about 1700 after Gian Lorenzo Bernini it is made of bronze and there is another sculpture made from marble in Versailles. Also, The Getty Center has some piece of art from Van Gogh and Monette. Because of its architectural style and the amazing pieces of art, The Getty Center is the best place to visit in Santa Monica, California.

Journal 2

Studying at ALP has been one of my best experiences in my life. First of all, learning English was always one of my projects in life. After I decided to study a master in customs, my need of learn English increased. I was too difficult to choose the right English school, but finally I elected the best. During the last two semesters studying at ALP, I have improved enormously my English , and it is very satisfactory when people noticed my advance.

Second, beside greatly improving my English communication skills, I have been able to make new friends from all over the world. I have had the opportunity to share with them experiences, culture and good friendship. Every time I meet a new classmate, my knowledge increases because everyone teaches me something new about her or his culture. It is really fantastic to study in a place where there are diversity of cultures. Friends are very important to me, so I must to say thanks ALP for giving me this wonderful gift.

Finally, the instructors at ALP are perfectly trained. I have learned a lot from my teachers who are people Ready to help to resolve any question. Something that I have noticed of my teachers is that they posses the ability to teach to every student in the best way because every person has different capacity to learn. It is my duty to say thanks to all my teachers for their dedication and patient. Without the help of my teacher I wouldn't have been who I am now.

In brief, being part of ALP has been a wonderful experience. I have improved my English, I have made good friends, and I have had excellent teachers. I'm proud to be a student of ALP, and belong to the history of it.