VOA标准英语2014--世界杯将至华盛顿流行起巴西风味

 

Brazilian Flavor Livens Up Washington DC Neighborhood 世界杯将至华盛顿流行起巴西风味

WASHINGTON — For anyone with World Cup fever who can’t make it to Brazil for the games, there are other ways to soak up the excitement - and the flavor of the country -- without missing a moment. In one of Washington, D.C.’s most eclectic neighborhoods is a bar where infectious rhythm will transport you without ever leaving the United States.

Adams Morgan is a colorful neighborhood with international restaurants and bars as diverse as the capital city itself.  

With just days to go before the international tournament officially kicks off in S?o Paulo, Brazil, there is one lounge - called Bossa -- that stands out from the rest.

Yillah Natalie, who is the manager, said, "When you come in, it feels like Brazil, the patrons are Brazilian. It’s so much fun. We dance, we sweat, we drink 'caipirinhas.' It really is a lot like being back home.”

Spirited partying

The Brazilians here take pride in their craft of mixing the caipirinha, the national cocktail¹ of Brazil. It’s a concoction² of lime, sugar and a fermented³ sugarcane-based spirit called cacha?a.

As winners of five World Cup titles, Brazilians also take pride in “futebol,” or soccer.

“Bring it… for all of the people like myself that can’t get back to Brazil for the copa [World Cup], it’s happening here at Bossa," said Natalie. "We’re ready, we’re going to show it, it’s going to be crazy in here with Brazilians, and we are going to get that trophy⁴.”

Whether you’re a proud expatriate or simply a curious first-time visitor, there is something for everyone here. Just up the stairs, Bossa offers Brazilian dance classes from various regions of the country.

In fact, upon entering the lounge, a visitor might just think -- for a moment -- that the tournament was about to take place right there.

Rio De Janeiro native Carolina Freitas said, “It’s a very positive atmosphere. It’s very much Brazilian, because I feel like Brazilian people for the most part are like that: friendly, welcoming, positive, fun.”

International language

Samba instructor⁵ Demeteris Hale is an American, originally from Louisiana. She said, though, she’s a Brazilian at heart. She teaches a dance called “samba de gafieira”-- a couple’s variation of samba.

“The first thing I learned with samba, even before I knew what it was, was this feeling of happiness," said Hale. "You have to let yourself enjoy the music, and let it be your first dance partner. My one rule is … feel the music."

Hale described music as the other international language -- a language that makes people smile, and transcends⁶ international boundaries.

“If I could put everybody on a plane and bring them here, I would," she said. "I would be like, the quickest way to Brazil is to come to Bossa. You don’t need a passport and you don’t have to wait for a visa.”  

So if you can’t make it to Brazil this June, your best decision may be to find the next best thing. The place you’re looking for might be closer than you think.

1 cocktail   

n.鸡尾酒；餐前开胃小吃；混合物

参考例句：

• We invited some foreign friends for a cocktail party.我们邀请了一些外国朋友参加鸡尾酒会。
• At a cocktail party in Hollywood,I was introduced to Charlie Chaplin.在好莱坞的一次鸡尾酒会上，人家把我介绍给查理·卓别林。

2 concoction   

n.调配(物)；谎言

参考例句：

• She enjoyed the concoction of foreign dishes.她喜欢调制外国菜。
• His story was a sheer concoction.他的故事实在是一纯属捏造之事。

3 fermented   

v.（使）发酵( ferment的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）激动；骚动；骚扰

参考例句：

• When wine is fermented, it gives off gas. 酒发酵时发出气泡。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• His speeches fermented trouble among the workers. 他的演讲在工人中引起骚动。 来自辞典例句

4 trophy   

n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品

参考例句：

• The cup is a cherished trophy of the company.那只奖杯是该公司很珍惜的奖品。
• He hung the lion's head as a trophy.他把那狮子头挂起来作为狩猎纪念品。

5 instructor   

n.指导者，教员，教练

参考例句：

• The college jumped him from instructor to full professor.大学突然把他从讲师提升为正教授。
• The skiing instructor was a tall,sunburnt man.滑雪教练是一个高高个子晒得黑黑的男子。

6 transcends   

超出或超越（经验、信念、描写能力等）的范围( transcend的第三人称单数 )； 优于或胜过…

参考例句：

• The chemical dilution technique transcends most of the difficulties. 化学稀释法能克服大部分困难。
• The genius of Shakespeare transcends that of all other English poets. 莎士比亚的才华胜过所有的其他英国诗人。