Cultural notes

Although our protagonist has bought a one-way airplane ticket, most people purchase round-trip tickets. Sometimes a one-way ticket costs almost as much as round trip.

It is a good idea to go through a reliable travel agent when purchasing airplane tickets. There are so many different options and special packages available, as well as restrictions, that only a qualified travel agent can help you sort them out.

Most American airlines offer two classes of travel -- first class (more expensive) and coach (less expensive). On some larger planes, there is an intermediate category called business class. Smoking is now forbidden on all flights within the continental U.S.

Finally, the preferred usage to refer to a member of the flight crew is "flight attendant", even though people still use "stewardess" (female) and "steward".

Action

TICKET AGENT: A ticket to San Francisco. How many pieces of luggage will you be checking?

YOU: Just two. May I have an aisle seat, please?

TICKET AGENT: Yes, seat 12-C in the coach section. You'll be boarding in about 30 minutes from Gate 16.

NARRATOR: You walk to Gate 16 after passing through airport security.

NARRATOR (Cont'd.): A few minutes later, you board the plane and soon you're in the air.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT: Good morning. Can I offer you something to drink?

YOU: Coffee, please. No cream or sugar.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT: Today we'll be serving lunch.

YOU: How long will it take to get to San Francisco?

FLIGHT ATTENDANT: About four hours. Would you like a newspaper or magazine?

YOU: No thanks, I brought a book. It's all about U.S. history -- and it's fascinating!

Lesson 24 «California Dreaming»

Vocabulary

17-mile (seventeen mile)

The "Seventeen-Mile Drive" will take you along a beautifully rugged section of coastline from Monterey to Carmel. There is a small charge per car, but the drive is well worth the price.

around (prep.)

"Around" refers to "close to," "in the vicinity of," "near," etc.

bay (noun as adj.)

Standing bodies of waters progress from "puddles" to "ponds," "lakes" to "seas," "seas" to "oceans." "Ports" are often situated on large "bays" or smaller "harbors." Running bodies of water may start with "streams," "creeks," and "brooks," feeding into "rivers" and then "lakes" or "oceans."

beautiful (adj.)

Big Sur (prop. noun)

An area of coastline south of Monterey and Carmel, Big Sur is known for its breathtaking cliffs and views of the Pacific.

Cannery Row (prop. noun)

A pier which was once home to a thriving fishing industry, "Cannery Row" is now dotted with restaurants, shops, and boutiques.

Carmel by the Sea (prop. noun)

Home to many of California's artists and galleries, Carmel is an ocean side village with a powdery white sand beach.

catch a glimpse, you'll (to catch a glimpse, fut.)

"To catch a glimpse" or "to glimpse" something is to see it briefly or fleetingly.

coastline (noun)

That which "lines" the "coast" -- a "beach," "cliff" or "shore."

colleague (noun)

Also known as a "workmate," "fellow worker," or "associate."

cottage (noun)

A "cottage" is a "quaint" and "cozy" little house (meaning that it is extremely comfortable and charming).

famous (adj.)

former (adj.)

A similar way to express the idea of "former" is to use the word "old" (as in, "Let me introduce you to Paul, my old colleague."). Former is also used in reference to people with whom one has severed relational ties (as in "John's former wife" ["John's ex-wife"], "Mary's former boyfriend" ["Mary's ex-boyfriend," or "her old boyfriend"]).

Hansel and Gretel (prop. noun)

Characters from a children's story about two lost kids who stumble across a gingerbread cottage and have a run-in with a wicked old woman who wants to eat them.

heading (pres. part., to head)

Another way to express "heading" is "going toward."

Lamp Lighter Inn (prop. noun)

An "inn" is a "quaint" hotel. Normally, it is an older building on one or two levels, situated in a quiet locale.

lands, it (to land)

look over, you (to look over)

Monterey (prop. noun)

nap (noun)

Other expressions similar to "to take a nap" include "to take a snooze" or "to take a siesta."

overlooking (pres. part., to overlook)

The word "overlooking" can have two meanings. The first has to do with "perching over" as in the "a table overlooking the water." The second meaning of "overlooking" is "ignoring" or "neglecting."

perhaps (adv.)

quaint (adj.)

"Quaint" is a nice way to describe something that is a bit old or traditional, but still "charming."

rugged (adj.)

The opposite of "rugged" is "smooth" or "flat."

sea otters (noun, pl.)

south (adj.)

To express "compass directions" in English, use the words "north," "south," "east," and "west." You can also say "northwest," "southeast," etc.

splendid (adj.)

An eloquent word, "splendid" conveys the idea of "beautiful," "magnificent," "sumptuous," "impressive," "grand," and "striking."

upon (prep.)

"Upon" can also be used with a present participle, as in "Upon arriving in San Francisco, I rented a car."

view (noun)

In relation to "vista," a great "view" may be referred to as a "scenic outlook" or "panorama."

Story

Your flight lands in San Francisco. You rent another car and go to your hotel for a bit of rest. After a short nap, you look over the last envelope of instructions. You are to drive to Monterey to see the sights. Upon your return to San Francisco, you will have lunch with a former colleague of Aunt Stephanie.