Cultural notes

San Francisco is one of the most popular destinations for American as well as foreign tourists. Sometimes called "America's favorite city, "San Francisco draws more than 2 million tourists each year.

Blessed with a mild climate, San Francisco has a metropolitan population exceeding 5 million. The city itself is built on and around more than 40 hills overlooking the San Francisco Bay. Many of San Francisco's streets are quite steep, especially in the areas of Nob Hill and Russian Hill.

Some of the important sights of San Francisco include: Fisherman's Wharf (once a bustling port for fishing boats), Chinatown, the Golden Gate bridge, and Alcatraz (a former federal prison built on a rocky island).

Action

YOU: How did you know my aunt?

COLLEAGUE: Stephanie and I founded a small company specializing in fine wines and foods. We worked together for about six years. She took care of finances, and I handled marketing and sales. She was a delight to work with.

YOU: I didn't realize that she lived on the West Coast for six years.

COLLEAGUE: She didn't. We met in Chicago.

COLLEAGUE (Cont'd.): As the company grew, I moved to California to be closer to our distributors. She eventually moved to Atlanta, as you know.

YOU: How is the company doing?

COLLEAGUE: Very well, thank you. When Stephanie became ill, she sold her shares of the company.

COLLEAGUE (Cont'd.): So, what brings you to the States?

YOU: My aunt wanted me to see the places in America that she loved. I'll receive an inheritance once I complete this trip and return to Atlanta.

COLLEAGUE: Interesting. Before you leave San Francisco, be sure you see the Golden Gate bridge, Chinatown, and Sausalito.

YOU: I've already been to Chinatown. I was just about to go see the bridge.

YOU (Cont'd.): Well, thanks for lunch. It was a pleasure meeting you.

Lesson 26 «A Household Emergency»

Vocabulary

apparently (adv.)

Similar adverbs include "evidently," "supposedly," "surely," "certainly," "obviously," "plainly," and "seemingly."

as long as (conj.)

"As long as" is a conjunction implying anticipation of a certain outcome ("I'll study as long as you let me use the car."). A similar expression is "provided that" (which functions the same way). (E.g. "I'll go provided that you drive.")

burst (past part., to burst)

cause, you didn't (to cause, past )

closet (noun)

cover, they'll (to cover, fut.)

"To cover" can mean that certain expenses will be "provided for" by the management company. "To cover (up)" also means "to hide" (as in "They covered up their footprints.").

cut off (inf., to cut off)

"To cut off" -- in "Do you know where I can cut off the water." -- means "to turn off." One can also "turn" something "on."

end (inf., to end)

inch (noun)

main (adj.)

mess (noun)

A "mess" refers to any "chaotic disorder" of what was once "ordered." Similar words include "untidiness," "clutter," "litter," "disarray," "jumble," and "confusion."

no sweat (id. exp.)

"No sweat" is a slang expression for "no problem."

over (prep.)

owners (noun, pl.)

In this instance, "owners" refers to the "management company."

pipe (noun)

Depending on context, a "pipe" can be either a conduit for water, gas, etc., or an instrument for smoking.

plumber (noun)

pretty (adv.)

"Pretty" can function as an adjective modifying a noun that is usually feminine in quality ("Julia is extremely pretty."), or as an adverb in the sense of "somewhat" or "very" ("I'm pretty tired today."). Although uncommon, one can say that someone is "pretty pretty" (i.e., "very pretty").

taken (past part., to take)

valve (noun)

Story

Finally, you're back in Atlanta; you've taken a cab from the airport to your apartment. You've been away for almost three weeks. As you enter your apartment, you find water all over the floor. A pipe in one of the bathrooms has apparently burst. You call the apartment manager; a few hours later, a plumber arrives.