A Walk with Death. Don’t Look down
Paul Lay dances with death in the mountains of southern Spain.
I have always enjoyed walking. When I was a boy, I used to go walking at weekends with my father. We ………. and climbing together.
I try to visit a new place every day. Last year I decided to walk a path in Spain called El Camino del Rey, which means the King’s Way. It is one of the highest and the most dangerous footpaths in Europe. It used to be very safe, but now it is falling down.
I took a train to the village of El Chorro and started to walk towards the mountains. I was very excited. Then the adventure began.
The path was about three feet wide and there were holes in it. It ………. a handrail, but not any more. I didn’t know what to do – should I go on my hands and knees, or stand up? I ………. and walk very slowly. At times the path was only as wide as my two boots. I stopped to have a rest, but there was nowhere to sit.
I ………. very frightened. It was impossible to look down or look up. I was concentrating so hard that my body ………. . there was no thrill of danger, no enjoyment of the view. I thought I was going to die.
I finally managed to get to the end. I was shaking, and I was covered in sweat from heat to fear. I fell to the ground, exhausted.
a. Answer the questions to the text.
What is Paul Lay’s hobby?
What did he use to do with his father?
Does he go to the same place every year?
Is the King’s Way in good condition?
Why couldn’t he have a rest?
Why didn’t he enjoy the walk?
Writing options. Try to make a story on the offered topics.
Why do you travel? Have you ever been to any foreign country? What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever been to?
Would you rather visit another country or travel within your own country? Do you prefer hot or cool countries when you go on holiday?
Would you prefer a package tour or the one organized by yourself? Would you rather go to a crowded place or a calm one?
Have you ever got lost while travelling? If so, tell about it.
Do you travel with a lot of baggage or do you like to travel light? If you were going on a camping trip for a week what 10 things would you bring? Explain why.
What is the most interesting souvenir that you have ever bought on one of your holidays?
What is the best kind of holiday for different ages of people? Children? Teenagers? Adults? Elderly people?
Do you think the type of vacation one takes reflects one’s social status?
Do you think tourism will harm the earth?
HUMOUR TIME
“Were you in Paris on your vacation?” “I don’t know, my wife got the tickets.”
*****
A man arrived at his holiday guest-house and met the landlady. “Can you sing?” she snapped. “No,” he replied. “Well, you’d better learn quickly. There’s no lock on the bathroom door.”
*****
A huge American car screeched to a halt in a sleepy English village, and the driver called out to a local inhabitant, “Say, am I on the right road for Shakespeare’s birthplace?” “Ay, straight on, sir,” said the rustic, “but no need to hurry. He’s dead.”
*****
A police officer was amazed to see a hiker walking along the road carrying a sign which read “To Seattle.” “What are you doing with that?” asked the police officer. “I’m walking to Seattle,” said the hiker, “and I don’t want to lose my way.”