At the Map of the World

This dialogue is a conversation between two tourists. Now they are both quite far from the civilized world, in the exotic jungle of Tasmania. They are waiting for their guide in the hotel. One of the tourists, Victoria, is an English lady. The other, Jane, is an American. So she is quite an impatient person and feels very nervous of waiting for the guide. Listen to the dialogue.

• Oh, dear! I wonder where the guide is. I’ve been standing here waiting for him for twenty minutes!

• Please, don’t be cross with him. I’m sure he’ll be here in a minute.

• Well, I’ve been to many places of the world, and nowhere had I to wait so long!

• I see you are a very experienced traveller. By the way, let me introduce myself. My name is Victoria.

• Nice to meet you. My name is Jane. What country are you from?

• I’m from Great Britain.

• Well, it explains your patience. I know the English are very patient and polite.

• Thank you.

• Not at all. Do you live in London?

• Yes, I do. It’s my native city. I was born in London. And where are you from?

• I’m from the USA. I live in Chicago, Illinois. By the way, I was in London three months ago. I’m taking my world round trip now.

• A world round trip? It is so exciting! Please, tell me about it.

• Well, to travel round the world had been my dream for many years, and when I won the prize of 20,000 dollars I decided to make my dream come true. My trip began in New York City. Have you ever been there?

• Unfortunately, I have not. But I’ve heard a lot about it from my father. New York is known as the biggest city in the world, isn’t it? Well, where did you go from New York?

• Then I crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Europe. The first European country I visited was Great Britain. In London I explored the British Museum, Buckingham Palace, the Tower and so on.

• And how did you like them?

• I enjoyed the sightseeing very much.

• What other English cities did you visit?

• I visited Liverpool, Stradford-upon-Avon, Glasgow and Bristol. Then I made a voyage, crossed the English Channel and found myself in Paris.

• Oh, Paris, Paris… Cette ville est magnifique! Do you speak French?

• Just a little, but I can understand nearly everything. Indeed, I speak two foreign languages: Spanish and Japanese. But this time I didn’t go to Spain. From Paris I went to Italy and of course I couldn’t leave it without visiting Florence, Venice and Rome. Then I continued my trip to the South. I stopped at Athens and Cairo.

• Did you travel from Athens to Cairo by ship?

• I did. I crossed the Mediterranean Sea especially to see the Egyptian pyramids. From hot Africa I flew to cold Russia and visited Moscow and St. Petersburg.

• Oh! I’ve been to Russia just once in my life. But I still remember it very clearly. The Russians are very special people, aren’t they?

• They are! I agree with you.

• Well, where did you go next?

• I left Russia for Asiatic countries, such as India, Thailand and China. I also visited the wonderful islands Ceylon and Java. Then I flew to Australia, to Sydney. My aunt Emily lives there, so I had a good opportunity to see her. She advised me to visit Tasmania. And now I’m here, somewhere deep in the jungle.

• Would you like to continue your trip?

• Of course I would. After leaving Tasmania I’ll go to Chile or Argentina and of course to Brazil. I’m so eager to see the Amazon! And at last I’ll visit Acapulco, where I’ll swim, sunbathe and spend the rest of my money. And so my world round trip will end.

• Sounds great! But east or west – home is best. Look! I think that’s our guide coming.

• I hope that’s him. Let’s go, I’ll tell him everything I think about him!