美國文化口語:中國城Chinatown

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CONRAD: I'm glad we came here. This is really delicious!
     LORI: I was worried you would think it was too far to drive. CONRAD: Well,it's true I've never driven two hours just to get lunch. But really,I think it's worth it. LORI: I think if you try some more authentic Chinese food,you might understand how we students from Taiwan suffer. CONRAD: How do you mean "suffer"?
     LORI: I mean,in Milwaukee there is no good Chinese food. So we miss the food in Taiwan too much. Sometimes we just have to drive down here to Chicago to find something better. CONRAD: Even in the winter?
     LORI: Yes,even in the winter. CONRAD: And even if it takes two hours,huh?
     LORI: Why not? I've been craving good food for three weeks now. I'm too sick of hamburgers and pizza!
     CONRAD: Well,this really is delicious,I have to admit. I can understand better now why you and your friends are always whining. LORI: Don't tease me! Good food is really important to Chinese!
     CONRAD: I know. I can see that. This is what is called "dim sum," right?
     LORI: Yes,all these dishes are different "dim sum" dishes. You can't find this kind of thing except for in a few cities in America. CONRAD: So when you Chinese think of Chinatown,you mostly think of food. Is that right?
     LORI: Of course. I will try to buy some things at the Asian grocery down the block too. Then I can do a little cooking in my apartment. CONRAD: And maybe we can go to a good Italian restaurant for dinner,after the museum. Chicago has some great Italian restaurants. LORI: No way!
     CONRAD: What do you mean?
     LORI: We're going up to the "new" Chinatown for dinner. I already know where we're going to go. CONRAD: Alright,alright. I am happy to try more Chinese food. Will it be dim sum again?
     LORI: No,dim sum is usually eaten around lunch time,or sometimes closer to breakfast. We'll try more Taiwanese style up at the "new" Chinatown. CONRAD: Taiwanese style? Isn't dim sum Taiwanese style?
     LORI: No,dim sum is more Cantonese style. But of course you can buy it in Taiwan. CONRAD: I wonder if you can cook things this good. LORI: I'm a great cook actually. You will see.康瑞德:很高興來到這里。這真的很美味。
     蘿莉:我擔心你會覺得開車太遠。
     康瑞德:這倒是真的,我從未開過兩個小時的車子,只是為了吃頓午餐。
     但是不錯,我覺得很值得。
     蘿莉:如果你再吃些地道的中國菜,你就會了解我們臺灣學生所遭受的了。
     康瑞德:你說“遭受”是什么意思?
     蘿莉:在密爾瓦基市都沒有好吃的中國菜,所我們很懷念臺灣的食物。
     有時候我們只好開車下來芝加哥找些好吃的東西。
     康瑞德:連冬天都這樣嗎?
     蘿莉:是的,甚至在冬天也是這樣。
     康瑞德:而且甚至要花兩個小時,是嗎?
     蘿莉:有何不可呢?我已經渴望美食三個星期了。
     我受夠了漢堡包和比薩。
     康瑞德:這真的很好吃,我必須承認。
     現(xiàn)在我比較能夠了解為什么你和你的朋友總是在抱怨。
     蘿莉:別取笑我了!美食對中國人來說是很重要的。
     康瑞德:我知道,看得出來。這就是“點心”對不對?
     蘿莉:是的,這些菜肴都是不同的點心。
     在美國除了少數(shù)幾個城市,你找不到這類食物的。
     康瑞德:所以當你們中國人想到中國城,幾乎都想到吃的,對不對?
     蘿莉:當然。
     我還要在下一條街的亞洲雜貨店買些東西。
     那么我就可以在自己的公寓煮些東西。
     康瑞德:也許參觀完博物館,我們可以去意大利餐廳吃晚餐。
     芝加哥有一些很棒的意大利餐廳。
     蘿莉:絕不!
     康瑞德:你是什么意思?
     蘿莉:我們要去新中國城吃晚餐。
     我已經知道我們要去哪里了。
     康瑞德:好吧,好吧,我很樂意多吃些中國菜。
     又是吃點心嗎?
     蘿莉:不是。點心通常是午餐吃的,有時候更接近早餐的時間。
     我們要在新中國城多吃些臺灣菜。
     康瑞德:臺灣菜?點心不是臺灣菜嗎?
     蘿莉:不是,點心比較像是廣東菜。
     當然在臺灣也買得到。
     康瑞德:我在想,你能煮得這么好吃嗎?
     蘿莉:事實上我很會做菜,你等著看好了。