2007年VOA标准英语-Love Boat Sails in Washington, DC

By Rohit Kulkarni
Washington, DC
10 January 2007
 
watch Singles Cruise report

Many single people in the United States are turning to new, creative ways to meet their soul mate. These include online dating sites, matchmaking and speed dating, a series of brief one-on-one meetings. For young Indians living in Washington, DC, there's a new twist to meeting Mr. or Ms. Right. For producer Rohit Kulkarni, VOA's Jim Bertel has more on a dinner cruise where love is on the menu.

Socializing on a singles cruise

The cruise liner Odyssey¹ waits patiently on the banks of the Potomac River in Washington, DC. Outside, a throng² of single Indian-Americans is eager to get on-board for a romantic experience that could change their lives.

Organizer Anjali Giri says the cruise is a new twist on speed dating.  "We have mostly done this in restaurants in the past or hotels or banquet halls but in this case we thought the atmosphere of the cruise is really romantic."

For $100, participants will be introduced to a number of young singles plus enjoy food and entertainment.

Jugal Patel is among the young people looking for love. "Events like these are a good opportunity to meet people, to meet single people."

Just before sunset, the Odyssey sets sail, packed with young, single Indian Americans.

Nehal Patel sees an advantage to holding a singles event on a ship. "Well you can't leave -- that's awesome³, so no one can escape out of here, you can't jump out, so that's awesome."

Indian singles' cruises are a new concept for the Indian community in the United States but their popularity is catching⁴ on. Such events are now routinely organized in cities like New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Washington DC where there are concentrations of Indian-Americans. For these young adults, it is a great way to find love with someone who shares their heritage.

1 odyssey   

n.长途冒险旅行；一连串的冒险

参考例句：

• The march to Travnik was the final stretch of a 16-hour odyssey.去特拉夫尼克的这段路是长达16小时艰险旅行的最后一程。
• His odyssey of passion, friendship,love,and revenge was now finished.他的热情、友谊、爱情和复仇的漫长历程，到此结束了。

2 throng   

n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集

参考例句：

• A patient throng was waiting in silence.一大群耐心的人在静静地等着。
• The crowds thronged into the mall.人群涌进大厅。

3 awesome   

adj.令人惊叹的，难得吓人的，很好的

参考例句：

• The church in Ireland has always exercised an awesome power.爱尔兰的教堂一直掌握着令人敬畏的权力。
• That new white convertible is totally awesome.那辆新的白色折篷汽车简直棒极了.

4 catching   

adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住

参考例句：

• There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
• Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。