VOA常速英语2016--巴拿马城原帮派成员现在摇身一变成导游

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 decided¹ a decade ago to open up the old town for revitalization, some gangsters² 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 crook³. 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 Plaza⁴ Herrera was once a gang hangout. Panama's Ministry⁵ 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。”

 

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 gangsters   

匪徒，歹徒( gangster的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The gangsters offered him a sum equivalent to a whole year's earnings. 歹徒提出要给他一笔相当于他一年收入的钱。
• One of the gangsters was caught by the police. 歹徒之一被警察逮捕。

3 crook   

v.使弯曲；n.小偷，骗子，贼；弯曲(处)

参考例句：

• He demanded an apology from me for calling him a crook.我骂他骗子，他要我向他认错。
• She was cradling a small parcel in the crook of her elbow.她用手臂挎着一个小包裹。

4 plaza   

n.广场，市场

参考例句：

• They designated the new shopping centre York Plaza.他们给这个新购物中心定名为约克购物中心。
• The plaza is teeming with undercover policemen.这个广场上布满了便衣警察。

5 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。