VOA常速英语2016--巴拿马城原帮派成员现在摇身一变成导游（在线收听）

巴拿马城原帮派成员现在摇身一变成导游

Gang graffiti still defaces some of the walls in Panama City's once-impoverished neighborhood of San Felipe, but many of the beautiful old homes have been refurbished.

巴拿马城圣费利佩昔日贫困社区的墙上帮派的涂鸦仍依稀可见,但这里许多美丽的旧房屋已经被翻新。

The area now attracts tourists who want to learn firsthand about the violence in San Felipe's not-so-distant past.

这个地方现在吸引着游客亲身前往了解圣费利佩不远过去曾经的历史。

When city officials decided a decade ago to open up the old town for revitalization, some gangsters realized their past experience could be marketable. Now, they are tour guides.

市政府官员于10年前决定复兴这座老城开放时,一些帮派成员意识到他们过去的经历可能会带来市场价值。现在,他们摇身一变成了导游。

“It's not just anybody that can stand on a corner and say he was a crook. Look, I did this; look, I was in jail for so many years. I stole. What's more, I robbed a lot of tourists. They are going to say, Wow, they are going to rob me, too!

“不是随便一个人都能站在角落说自己是满嘴谎言的骗子。你看看,我以前干过这种勾当,你看看,我曾经蹲过多年的监狱。我曾经偷窃。更重要的是,我还抢过很多游客。游客们会说,哇,他们也要抢劫我!

 It's not easy. Am I clear? That's what really impresses them."

“这可不容易。我说的够清楚吗?这是真正让他们觉得有意思的地方。”

The American Trade Hotel in Plaza Herrera was once a gang hangout. Panama's Ministry of Public Safety persuaded the new owners to employ some of the former gang members. Revitalization, however, came with a price.

埃雷拉广场的美洲贸易酒店曾经是帮派成员的聚集地。巴拿马公共安全部成功说服这个地方的新主人雇佣一些前帮派成员。然而伴随新生复兴的也有代价。

Many residents had to either adapt to the new life, or move out. But for some, tourism brought jobs and income. And tourists love it.

这里的许多居民要么适应新生活,要么选择搬出去。但对一些人来说,旅游业带来的是就业机会及收入。而游客就是喜欢这一点。

"I thought it was very interesting, to see the process these people have gone through. They used to be part of a gang, and they have now found a way to be productive for society, and to accept the change taking place in their community, and to choose to be part of it."

“我认为这非常有趣,能够看看这些人经历的事情。曾经是帮派分子的他们现在已经找到一种方式成为对社会有用之人,接受这种发生在他们的社区的变化,并选择融入其中。”