大阪府立大学英語講座 - Traveling with English

These days, all international airlines are becoming really strict in limiting the weight of luggage allowed for check-in, and allowed for carrying on-board. Be very careful and find out what the weight and size restrictions are before going to the airport. This will save you a lot of time, frustration, and embarrassment from emptying out your luggage in the airport. Airports are becoming more stressful, so go there with a light heart, and a light bag!!

When traveling, often many new friends will be made. To have a meal at the home of a newly made friend living in the country that you are visiting is often one of the most valuable travel experiences. Your eyes will be wide open to the foods, interior decorations, and rules of etiquette. Remember to bring along some good stories of your home!!

The Sydney Opera House is one of the most photographed and distinct architectural structures in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The concert hall has an organ with 10,000 pipes. The building is in the shape of a series of giant shells housing 5 theatres: the most seats being in the concert hall, then the opera theatre, next the drama theatre, the playhouse, and the smallest is the studio theatre. It's quite a dramatic spectacle to see and to enjoy the music of the spheres.

Niagara Falls is one of the great natural wonders of the world. It's truly amazing to see so much water that continues to flow over the falls. The water has traveled so many miles from mountains, rivers, lakes and will continue onward to the Atlantic Ocean. It is the biggest falls in North America with 110,000 cubic meters of water flowing over the crest line every minute. But for many people, Niagara Falls is known as a honeymoon destination with it's spectacular, colored, night lighting shining magically on the roaring water as it tumbles downward.

Many people think of London as a crowded, busy metropolis. Yet, if you walk along the Thames River you will discover a charm and peacefulness that will give you a hint as to why London has a long and rich history as a center of inspiration for poets, writers, inventors and artists.

The city of London is preparing for a grand world event - the Summer Olympics to be held in 2012. A couple of years ago there was a fierce competition with Paris, France as to which city would be chosen to host the Olympics. To the delight of the Londoners they won, but for the Parisians, it was an emotional blow! These days, there seems to be competition on every level of society. Sometimes it's better to go to the museum and enjoy art that uplifts the spirit, and joins people through beauty.

There is always something so wonderful about meeting a good friend. It doesn't matter if we saw our friend recently or a very long time ago, we connect heart to heart, mind to mind, and begin this new day, this new moment, once again renewing our friendship. With no friends, what is life?

In popular tourist cities, like Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, it's sometimes very difficult to distinguish between who is a tourist and who is a local resident. Sometimes a tourist will be from a different part of the country. Sometimes a local resident will know very little about his or her city e.g. directions, tourist sites, and restaurants. And in this podcast situation of a relaxed, casual environment, we may not know who is a shop worker, a local resident or a tourist. Actually, this confusion may turn out to be an opportunity to meet new people...and that's part of the fun in traveling!

This particular podcast may sound like the opening of a thriller story. Actually, it's not unusual to have an unknown person knock on your hotel room. Of course it could be one of the hotel personnel delivering a message, a gift from a friend, or food and other items that you may or may not have ordered. If in doubt, call the main desk or concierge in the hotel lobby and verify why the mystery person is outside your door. There's no problem in being cautious, but also don't be too concerned about a drama about to unfold. Relax and enjoy.

Traveling along the California coast is such a wonderfully delightful experience. Fortunately, if you take the Amtrak train, parts of the ride go next to the beautiful sea on your left side and stunning rock cliffs and forests on your right side. Other parts of the trip go through miles and miles of vast farmlands of almonds, avocados, citrus trees and just about any vegetable you might be familiar with. Regarding a bus trip, it's very fast and convenient from L.A. to San Francisco as it takes the main highway northward. Of course if time is a factor, you'd be best served by taking a plane. Enjoy this fun trip!!