EXOTIC ANIMALS HAVE SOULS

Take a look at these pictures, aren´t they fashionable handbags?

Well, in fact, they are! Who doesn’t like to have a handbag like these ones? But there is a detail that many people do not consider at the moment of buying handbags: most of them are made of skin animals. Not only are handbags made of skin, but also jackets, boots and other accessories. A crucial question to this situation may be: how many animals have been killed to make one of these handbags? Is it worth killing animals?

As a result of this situation, several famous people are committed to different campaigns to inform people about the massive slaughter of animals. Joss Stone, my favorite singer, is a clear example of this. I came across with this ad a week ago and what called my attention was her unusual fearful face. Then, I realized she was almost naked. Finally, I read the co-text and I see the reason of her being naked. In a way, we can say that she is talking to all of us to make us aware of the damage we make every time people buy expensive handbags (or whatever) made of animal skin. If animals cannot defend themselves, who then? As this advertisement clearly exposes, 3 animals, in this case crocodiles, are killed to make a bag; therefore I consider that famous singers, actors etc, who have the possibility of being seen by many people around the world, must do something in the name of animal´s right.

 If we analyze the picture, we can see Joss´s face depicting fear, worry with tears shedding from her eyes. Besides, her body is painted in such a way that resembles a crocodile´s skin. Joss Stone doesn´t have the reputation of being exuberant, wearing few clothes; on the contrary, she is conservative, simple, and, most importantly, she loves nature and everything that has to do with it. That is why I really appreciate her courage to pose nude in this campaign carried out by PETA. 

PETA (The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is a foundation in UK dedicated to establishing and protecting the rights for all animals. This organization got what they have found for many years, an exotic-skin trade where crocodiles are left bleed to death on farms that supply skins to a luxury brand. Here you can see the video (which in fact it is a video recorded by a hidden camera) which is in the official webpage of PETA.

If you have watched the video completely, I´m sure that you are going to think twice before you buy a skin handbag. The video is shocking, but I think people need to see these kinds of things to realize how much animals suffer. We have to appreciate animals as they are, they weren´t born to be a piece of clothing. Thus, PLEASE! Stop buying items made of skin animals, and remember: 

NEVER WEAR THEM

A friend in need is a friend indeed

Two days ago, one of my best friends, Wan Shu, graduated. She didn´t want to go to the graduation ceremony, because she didn´t like those kinds of events when people are on the spotlight, but I obliged her to go because (I told her) it will be a special moment for her and her family. I can´t explain with words what I felt when I saw her on the stage receiving the degree. You may think I´m a little bit exaggerated, but I consider the friendship we have is unique, a friendship which began 6 years ago the first class at the IFDC.

6 years ago, I started studying to be an English teacher. I remember the expectations I had that day because I was going to know the teachers and my classmates. I was a little bit lost because I saw hundreds of classrooms which resembled fish tanks (“how peculiar!” I thought) and I was alone, trying to see if I recognized someone. Among all the students (which, believe me, were a lot) I discerned a Chinese girl who stood out against the rest. She was alone too. I approached her and we exchanged some words. That day I realized we were going to be great friends and I realized she was a girl of few words too.

I could see the first years at the IFDC were difficult for her because she didn´t know some words in Spanish, thus, imagine how difficult it was for her to learn English!

The years passed by and our friendship consolidated more and more. First, we saw each other every single day at the IFDC;  then, we gathered to go there. We discovered we had some things in common. We met to study in my house and I taught her to brew “mate”. Some other days she and her family invited me to have lunch in their house and they taught me their traditional tea ceremony. In their house, the Wang family received me with a unique warm; though they cannot communicate very well, they made me feel very comfortable. They taught me to eat with chopsticks, she taught me some Chinese words; but most importantly, she taught me what true friendship means. We are not compatriot, we do not share the same traditions, we have different preferences but we stand by ourselves whenever we need. Sometimes we don´t need to talk to know what we are feeling.

Therefore, how shouldn´t I feel proud of her after so many year of friendship? She and her family are special for me, so, when she was at the stage with the degree in her hands I say to myself: “she did it!” after some years of studying hard she finally gets what she has expected so much. That degree is the result of patience, perseverance, hours and hours of studying and commitment. Congratulation my dearest friend!