VOA标准英语2013--Spectacular Cherry Blossoms in Maryland Lure International Visitors

 

Spectacular Cherry Blossoms in Maryland Lure¹ International Visitors

Twelve hundred cherry trees line the streets of this neighborhood called Kenwood. The blooms are at peak, and so are the number of tourists who come to gaze at them. This is the first time Australian visitor Kirra Stutchbury has seen cherry blossoms, and she said it’s like being under a big pink cloud.

“I didn’t expect there to be so many flowers, and the petals² falling, it’s just so beautiful. Almost like it’s snowing,” said Stutchbury.

The first cherry trees in this development were planted in the 1920’s, ahead of the new homes that were about to be built. Some of the original trees are now more than 90 years old. 

One couple from India is visiting family in the area. 

“Very beautiful. I have not seen in my life this type of flower,” said tourist Suresh Kumarshrievastava.

Le Ho from Vietnam, who now lives in the Washington area, has seen the flowers in the neighborhood before. He’s back, enjoying the beauty of the moment.

“Oh, when I come here I feel my heart calm down,” said Le.

Many people enjoy themselves in this park, having fun with friends and family. 

This couple, who just got married, stopped for ice cream. For Mariaby Hernandez and Ed Constante, the timing³ couldn’t have been more perfect to have their wedding photos taken in the park.

“It’s beautiful. We love it. It just adds a lot to the pictures,” they said.

The residents of this normally quiet community enjoy sharing the pride of the neighborhood, which lasts about a week. Les Nicolson said he appreciates the blossoms as much as the people who come to see them.

“It’s estimated now 30, 40,000 people, and a great many of them are people from overseas, particularly the Japanese who have a special affinity⁴ for the cherry trees," said Nicolson.

One Japanese woman said she had never before seen cherry trees forming a canopy⁵.

“It’s awesome⁶. I was surprised at this spectacular scene,” said visitor Kyounghui Yi.

The beauty comes back each spring, thanks to the 240 Kenwood homeowners who are responsible for the trees on their property. If a tree dies or is diseased, they replace it. Phyllis Knowles said it means a lot to the residents to share their neighborhood treasure.

“I think if you have something beautiful and you can share it with other people, and they can go home with a good feeling of seeing something really special, really spectacular, that gives me a very warm feeling,” said Knowles.

She said for the people of Kenwood, the trees are part of their lives. 

1 lure   

n.吸引人的东西，诱惑物；vt.引诱，吸引

参考例句：

• Life in big cities is a lure for many country boys.大城市的生活吸引着许多乡下小伙子。
• He couldn't resist the lure of money.他不能抵制金钱的诱惑。

2 petals   

n.花瓣( petal的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• white petals tinged with blue 略带蓝色的白花瓣
• The petals of many flowers expand in the sunshine. 许多花瓣在阳光下开放。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

3 timing   

n.时间安排，时间选择

参考例句：

• The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

4 affinity   

n.亲和力，密切关系

参考例句：

• I felt a great affinity with the people of the Highlands.我被苏格兰高地人民深深地吸引。
• It's important that you share an affinity with your husband.和丈夫有共同的爱好是十分重要的。

5 canopy   

n.天篷，遮篷

参考例句：

• The trees formed a leafy canopy above their heads.树木在他们头顶上空形成了一个枝叶茂盛的遮篷。
• They lay down under a canopy of stars.他们躺在繁星点点的天幕下。

6 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.