零起点美语-The Flatlands

The Flatlands

平坦大地
Kathy and Evan leave Amsterdam to continue their journey through Europe.
K:Gee, this land is so flat!
E:The Netherlands literally means "the down lands," which of course means "the lowlands."
K:It's flat, but why do they say it's "low"?
E:A lot of the Netherlands is actually below sea level. That's why there are dikes everywhere to keep out the sea water.
K:No wonder the Dutch are considered an industrious people. It's a constant fight against the sea for survival.
E:The Dutch are tough. Such a small country, but they've not only survived, they've prospered.
K:It's true. You hardly see any poverty here.
E:Oh, look! There are a couple of old windmills on that farm.
K:How pretty! Let's stop here a minute. I want to take a picture.
E:Sure. I'll get off at this exit. Then you can take pictures to your heart's content.
K:Thanks. Oh, if you're hungry, there are a couple of sandwiches and drinks in the cooler. Mrs. Van Helsing made the sandwiches especially for us.
E:That woman is a saint!

凯西和艾凡离开阿姆斯特丹，继续他们游欧洲的行程。
凯西：咦，这里的地真是平坦！
艾凡：荷兰（The Netherlands）字面上的意思是『洼地』，当然就是『低地』的意思。
凯西：地面很平坦呀，为什么他们要说是『低地』呢？
艾凡：实际上荷兰许多陆地都低于海平面。那也就是荷兰到处可见阻挡海水的堤防的原因了。
凯西：难怪荷兰人被认为是一个很勤奋的民族。为了生存他们和海洋长期博斗。
艾凡：荷兰人很吃苦耐劳的。这么一个小国家，他们不仅生存，而且还兴盛繁荣。
凯西：你说的没错。在这里几乎看不到贫穷。
艾凡：哦，看那边！那个农场上有几座风车。
凯西：好漂亮哦！咱们在这里停一下子吧。我想照张相。
艾凡：没问题，我在下个出口下公路，然后你可以拍个痛快。
凯西：谢啦。哦，你如果饿了，冰桶里面有几块三明治和饮料。这些三明治是凡‧赫尔辛太太特别为我们做的。
艾凡：那位女士真是好心！