India: Land of Wonder 印度：惊奇国度
India's colorful history makes it an unforgettable place to visit
多采多姿的历史让印度成为令人永难忘怀的旅游胜地
October 9
In a land once ruled by princes, history lovers might be disappointed to find India's modern cities boasting Western favorites such as McDonald's. Fortunately, though, the historical, exotic India can still be found, most notably in the northwestern state of Rajasthan.
Once called the "Land of the Kings," Rajasthan was formed in 1949 when 18 kingdoms merged, creating India's largest state. Experiencing Rajasthan is like opening a treasure chest of precious Indian antiquities, including magnificent palaces, ancient forts and much more!
"The Golden City"
The magical desert city of Jaisalmer in western Rajasthan sits on a hillside above the Thar Desert like a city of gold. Today one-fourth of the old town's residents live inside the walls of the 12th century structure, making the honey-colored citadel one of the last "living" forts.
As soon as you enter this medieval city with its elaborately carved golden buildings, images from the classical tales of Arabian Nights come to mind. Winding through the ancient stone streets, you might see camels but not cars since automobiles are not allowed inside the city walls.
After strolling through the streets, visit the local Folklore Museum and learn more about Jaisalmer's fascinating history.

    历史爱好者来到印度这块曾由王子统治的土地，却看到现代化的城市里充斥麦当劳这类西方人爱好事物，大概会失望不已。所幸印度仍保有充满历史与异国风情的一面，特别在西北部的拉贾斯坦省。
    拉贾斯坦曾有「诸王侯之地」之称，在一九四九年由十八个邦国合并成为印度最大省分。游历拉贾斯坦就像打开装满珍贵印度古物的藏宝箱，宝物包括雄伟的皇宫、古老的堡垒等许许多多的名胜！
    「黄金城」充满魔力的沙漠城市齐沙默尔位於拉贾斯坦省的西部，座落在山坡上，俯瞰塔尔沙漠，宛如一座黄金城。这座古城现有四分之一的人口住在十二世纪建造的城墙内，这座金褐色的城堡因此成了少数仅存的「活」堡垒之一。
    一踏进这个中世纪城市，看到精雕细琢的金黄色建筑，不禁令人想到经典童话故事《天方夜谭》中的画面。走在弯弯曲曲的古老石街上，你说不定会看到骆驼，但不会看到车辆，因为城里不许车辆进入。
    到街上散步过後，你可以去参观当地的「民俗博物馆」，更深入了解齐沙默尔动人的历史。

Word Bank
exotic (adj)洋溢异国风情的；充满异国情调的
Last summer I traveled to exotic Thailand to experience its ancient palaces and delicious food!
antiquity (n)古代遗迹、风俗
The British Museum in London is filled with priceless antiquities from around the world.
come to mind (idiom)想到
When I hear that song, memories of our first date come to mind because it was playing in the restaurant where we had dinner.
folklore (n)民俗
Every culture has its own folklore that is passed down from generation to generation.

More Information
citadel (n)堡垒
Arabian Nights (n)《天方夜谭》；《一千零一夜》

Chat Room:
Teaching Topic: Dowry and Hope Chest 教學主題： 嫁妝與嫁妝箱
dowry：嫁妆
hope chest=wedding chest：嫁妆箱
treasure chest：海盗收藏的宝藏箱

---Hi, everyone. This is the Chat Room. And my name is Linda.
---And I'm Ken. Say, Linda, have you found a treasure chest?
---A treasure chest? No, I never even had a hope chest.
---A what? You know, a hope chest. A glory box for those in Britain or Australia.
---Huh, so what does one hope for?
---One hopes to get married. Another name for a hope chest is a wedding chest.
---Oh, like a chest where you put things for your wedding?
---Right. We don't use them anymore, really. But in the first part of the twentieth century, those chests held women's dowries.
---A diary?
---No, a dowry. A dowry is the property or money a bride takes with her to her husband. The hope chest held things like the wedding dress, linens and quilts, things like that.
---Oh, so a dowry is just linens?
---Well, you know in the West, a woman is not really expected to give anything to the groom like property or animals. The hope chest held things often made by the bride-to-be or given to her or made by her mother.
---OK. diary是日记，但是我们刚刚和Linda讨论的dowry嫁妆，西方的嫁妆和东方不一样，在早期一个女孩子的嫁妆常常是自己做的或是妈妈帮助做的婚纱，床单，棉被等，而这些东西都回收藏在一个hope chest嫁妆箱，hope chest也可叫做wedding chest，但treasure chest是海盗收藏的宝藏箱
---OK, it's time for a break. Studio Classroom will be right back.

exotic (adj)洋溢异国风情的；充满异国情调的
重音在第二音节
1 The restaurant serves exotic food and plays exotic music.
这家餐厅供应异国风味的餐点而且播放异国风味的音乐。
2 You can find exotic animals like monkeys and tropical birds in this zoo.
在这个动物园中你可以看到国外的动物例如猴子或热带鸟类。

antiquity (n)古代遗迹、风俗
常常用复数形
1 Many Greek and Roman antiquities can be found in this museum.
这个博物馆中可以看到许多希腊和罗马的古物。
2 The Colosseum is one of Italy's most famous antiquities.
古罗马的圆形竞技场是意大利最有名的古迹之一。

come to mind (idiom)想到
1 Several possibilities came to mind when we discussed how we solved this problem.
当我们在讨论如何解决这个问题的时候想到几种可能性。
2 Say the word Hawaii, and a vision of blue sea comes to mind.
当一听到夏威夷三个字蔚蓝的海水的景象就浮现在脑海。

October 10
"The Pink City"
Jaipur, Rajasthan's state capital and the first planned city in India, is best-known as "the pink city.? Buildings in Jaipur were originally painted pink to give the impression of having been built from red sandstone. The most impressive view of the city is from Nahargarh Fort at sunset.
Must-sees in Jaipur include Hawa Mahal, known as the "Palace of the Wind," and the City Palace, with its outstanding collection of legendary costumes and weapons.
Calling all shoppers!
Jaipur's bustling bazaars are a feast for the senses with brilliantly colored fabrics, exotic foods and bargains too tempting to pass up. The Johari Bazaar is famous for its wide variety of precious and semiprecious stones, mounted in modern or traditional pieces of jewelry.
Sleep like a king
When evening comes, enjoy a traditional Rajasthani dinner and folk dance, and then check into the Raj Palace where guests sleep like royalty. Jaipur's oldest mansion is now one of the area's finest luxury hotels, allowing guests to stay in the luxurious suites once occupied by royalty.

「粉红城市」
    拉贾斯坦省会齐浦尔是印度第一座历经都市规划的城市，以「粉红城市」之称远近驰名。齐浦尔的建筑物原本都漆成粉红色，营造出由红色沙岩打造的感觉。最棒的景色是从「虎堡」眺望日落余晖下的城市。
    齐浦尔的必游之地包括「哈瓦玛哈」，一般称之为「风之宫殿」，另外还有「城市宫殿」，那里收藏了非常丰富、充满传奇色彩的服装和武器。
爱血拼就看过来！
齐浦尔熙来攘往的市集可说是感官的一大飨宴，这里有灿烂缤纷的布料、异国美食和让人很难不掏钱好占为己有的便宜玩意。乔哈里市集以买卖各式各样的宝石与半宝石闻名於世，这些宝石会镶在现代或传统风格的首饰上。
享受国王般的睡眠品质
    当夜幕低垂，先享用传统拉贾斯坦佳肴、欣赏民俗舞蹈，然後住进「拉兹皇宫饭店」吧，客人在这里能享受王公贵族般的睡眠品质。齐浦尔最古老的宅邸如今是该区最雅致的豪华饭店之一，游客能留宿在王公贵族住过的豪奢套房。

Word Bank
legendary (adj)富有传奇色彩的
Britain is known for its legendary tales of brave knights, fair maidens and fire-breathing dragons.
bustling (pp)熙来攘往的；忙乱的
As I walked through the bustling streets of Hong Kong, I heard many languages being spoken by people from around the world.
royalty (n)王室；贵族
Tammy was treated like royalty when she flew first class to Paris.
suite (n)套房
Kevin reserved a suite at the hotel, so he could work in the living room while his family slept in the bedroom.

Chat Room:
Teaching Topic: Harem behind the Facade 教學主題： 後宮的妻妾
facade：建筑物的正面
harem：古时候皇帝的妻妾，所有在后宫的女子们

---Hi, there. Welcome to the Chat Room. And today we'd like to welcome Linda back today. Hi, Linda.
---Hi, Ken. Hi, everyone. It's really nice to be here with you all. So Ken, what would you like to chat about today?
---Do you know anything about this Palace of the Wind, the Hawa Mahal?
---Well, I know I'd like to go see it. It sounds fascinating.
---I heard that it almost looks like a pyramid.
---Well, some say it looks like a facade.
---A facade. What's that?
---Well, it is like the front or face of the buildings.You know, in the movies or in a play, you see the front of the buildings but there's nothing behind them. That is a facade.
---facade指的是建筑物的正面，在舞台剧的舞台上或电影城拍片的现场也常常可以看到不同建筑物的facade那是一个虚设的外表。But this palace isn't a facade, right?
---Right. In fact, it has screens and lattice work and little cubby holes, so that the women in the royal harem could see the parades or all the other activity on the streets below. And they couldn't be seen. You know like in ancient China, women in the royal household couldn't be seen.
---What was that word you said? Harem?
---Right, a harem. A harem is the wives and women and children in te royal household usually, and is often associated with India in the Middle East.
---harem指的是古时候皇帝的妻妾，也就是所有在后宫的女子们
---OK, it's time now for a break. Studio Classroom will be right back.

legendary (adj)富有传奇色彩的
1 We visited the legendary great wall of China where we were in Beijing.
我们在北京的时候到了传说中的万里长城一游。
2 The movie Three Hundred is the story of the legendary Spartans.
300壮士斯巴达的秘籍这部电影是讲传奇的斯巴达人的故事。

bustling (pp)熙来攘往的；忙乱的
1 We strolled along the bustling streets of Tokyo and shopped for the whole day.
我们漫步在东京熙攘的街头整天逛街。
2 The bustling market is full of life.
人来人往的市集充满了生命力。

suite (n)套房
成套的家具
1 The movie star was interviewed in the presidential suite.
这位电影明星是在总统套房中接受访问的。
2 The honeymoon suite costs $500 per night.
蜜月套房一个晚上要用500元美金。
3 We need new furniture and this dinning room suite is on sale now.
我们需要新的家具这套餐厅组合现在正在拍卖。

October 11
All aboard!
A unique way to see many of the sights of Rajasthan is on the "Palace on Wheels.? Considered one of the 10 most luxurious trains in the world, it looks like the opulent trains that were once ridden by India's royal families. Onboard, an attendant in a traditional Rajasthani uniform caters to your every need in the splendor of your private compartment.
The eight-day trip, which includes 14 points of interest, begins and ends in Delhi. A highlight of the trip is the stop in Agra, in neighboring Uttar Pradesh, the location of India's crown jewel, the Taj Mahal.
"The Temple of Love"
According to legend, when the prince who would become Emperor Shah Jahan first saw his future wife, Mumtaz Mahal, it was love at first sight. After her untimely death, the grieving emperor resolved to build the most beautiful mausoleum in the world for her. The 17th century building required 20,000 workers and 22 years to complete. Afterward, Shah Jahan gazed upon the grandeur of the white marble architectural wonder, his Taj Mahal.
A memorable journey
Traveling through Rajasthan and Agra will give you a taste of India's exotic past and will provide you with the journey of a lifetime!

上车吧！
遍览拉贾斯坦胜景有个独到玩法，就是搭乘「皇宫列车」，它名列全球前十大豪华列车，看起来就像印度王室曾经坐过的奢华火车。在你个人专属的华丽车厢中，身着传统拉贾斯坦服饰的服务员会满足你所有的需求。
    八天的旅程带你游访十四个景点，起点与终点都在德里。旅程最棒的地方是到邻近「北方邦」的阿格拉，此处正是印度最珍贵的「泰姬玛哈陵」所在地。
「爱的殿堂」
    传说中，後来当上沙贾汗国王的王子看到未来妻子慕塔芝?玛哈便一见锺情，无奈妻子早逝，伤心欲绝的国王决定为她打造世界上最美丽的陵墓。这座十七世纪的建筑动用了两万名工人，费时二十二年才建造完成。此後，沙贾汗便凝视这座雄伟壮观的白色大理石建筑奇景，他的「泰姬玛哈陵」。
难以忘怀的旅程
    拉贾斯坦与阿格拉之旅能带你体验印度充满异国风情的历史，让你享受一趟终生难忘的旅程！

Word Bank
opulent (adj)奢华的
The cruise ship was decorated in style with opulent furnishings from the dining rooms to the suites.
cater (v)满足（需求、意愿等）
Annie caters to her son's every need, but he's old enough to do some things for himself.
untimely (adj)过早的；时机未成熟的
After the untimely death of her husband, Sharon and her daughters moved back to her hometown to be near her parents.
grandeur (n)雄伟；壮观
The beauty and grandeur of the Grand Palace in Bangkok will take your breath away.

More Information
compartment (n)（火车）小客房
mausoleum (n)陵墓

Chat Room
Teaching Topic: Legends, Folktales, Fables and Myths 教學主題： 不同的傳說
legend：传说
folktale：民间故事，民间传说
fable：寓言，常用不同的动物来传达含有道德教训的故事
myth：神话
tall tale：荒谬夸张的故事

---Hi, there! Welcome to the Chat Room! We’d like to welcome Linda back to the Chat Room today. Hi, Linda!
---Hi, Ken! Hi, everyone! It’s really nice to be back with you all today. So Ken, what would you like to chat about today?
---Well, I see that the Taj Mahal was built because of a legend. You know, it gets confusing to know the differences among all of these words, like legend, folklore and fable, folktale, words like that. Do they all mean the same thing?
---What an excellent question! Let’s start with legend because it seems to be a bit different than the rest.
---Really? It is different than the other words?
---Yes. And the legend comes from the Latin. And it means to be read. You know, before the 14th century, legends had to have been written down for people to read them. And then in the 15th century, that changed where they were carried on by being told as a story.
---Interesting!legend指的是传说，这个字原本是拉丁文，表示可阅读的，因此在14世纪之间，legend是经过书写记载下来的，后来才变成口述的方式。So all of the others were just told?
---Well, basically, yes. A folktale was passed by word of mouth, and it usually changed before it was written down, and it often dealt with stories involving mythical creatures. So the folklore museum that was written about in day one should contain things that were passed by repetition and not written down.
---And then we have the Animal Tales stories that we do. I have heard you refer to them as fables.
---Right. A fable usually tells a story that involves animals, and the purpose is to teach a lesson. And then we have myths, which are stories that deal with ancestors or heroes or supernatural beings about how something happened. Maybe like how the forest came to exist.
---folktale是由民间故事，民间传说，folktale是由word of mouth口述的方式流传下来的，fable是寓言，fable常常用不同的动物来传达含有道德教训的故事，最后myth是神话。Now I’ve also heard uh…one person tells a story and another person calls it a tall tale or tall story, how can a tale be tall?
---Well, a tall story or a tall tale is usually a story told by men about an adventure that they had, like how they fought off a 15-foot bear, or a 20-foot alligator. Well, in fact, it was probably a baby.
---tall tale就是荒谬夸张的故事，很多男人爱吹牛，喜欢炫耀自己的一些丰功伟业，其实这些故事往往都是tall tales，也可叫做tall stories
---OK, let’s now go to Michelle for some Language Tips. And they’re no tall tales.

opulent (adj)奢华的
1 The couple live an opulent lifestyle and travel all the time.
这对夫妻过着奢华的生活一天到晚都在旅行。
2 The opulent hotel charges over 600 dollars for its smallest room.
这家豪华旅馆最小的房间都要600元。

cater (v)满足（需求、意愿等）
供应，迎合，投合
1 The magazine caters to professionals such as doctors or engineers.
这本杂志是针对医生或工程师等等专业人士量身打造的。
2 The club caters for children between 7 to 12.
这个俱乐部是为7-12岁的孩子所设计的。
3 Who's catering Nina's wedding?
哪一家餐厅负责Nina的婚宴？

untimely (adj)过早的；时机未成熟的
1 The accident put an untimely end to the trip.
这个意外让这个旅行早早就结束了。
2 George's untimely remarks made everyone upset.
George不适时地言论让每个人都不愉快。