CHARLIE: Excuse me. Is anyone in that seat next to you?
ANGELA: No, I don’t think so.
CHARLIE: Do you mind if I put my jacket there?
ANGELA: No. It’s no problem.
ANGELA: Are you American?
CHARLIE: Yes. And you?
ANGELA: No. I’m from Taiwan. Can’t you see?
CHARLIE: Well, there are many Chinese Americans, you know.
And your English is very good. You sound like an American.
ANGELA: I don’t think so. You are flattering me.
CHARLIE: No, really. I can only hear a little accent.
ANGELA: Are you flying home?
CHARLIE: Well, yes. Actually, I’m going back to visit.
ANGELA: You were visiting Taiwan?
CHARLIE: No, I’m going back to America to visit.
I’m from America, but I don’t live there now. I live in Taichung.
ANGELA: Really! You live in Taiwan!
CHARLIE: Yes. Why not?
ANGELA: May I ask what your job is in Taiwan?
CHARLIE: Sure. I teach history in a university. Have you heard of Dong-Hai University?
ANGELA: Of course. It’s a good school. How long have you lived in Taichung?
CHARLIE: I have lived in Taichung for two years now.
So this is the second time I am going back to the States.
I go back once a year to visit my family.
ANGELA: It must be strange for you to live in Taiwan.
CHARLIE: No, it isn’t strange at all.
Many people from Taiwan move to America too, you know.
Do you think it is strange for them?
ANGELA: No. Well, I don’t know.
But Taiwan is so crowded. Don’t you miss life in America?
CHARLIE: There are some things I miss. But I love Chinese food.
And I think the people in Taiwan are really hospitable.
Besides, I grew up in Los Angeles, so I’m used to living in crowded places.
Why are you going to America?
ANGELA: I’m going to New York to visit my sister. She is in art school.
I’ve never been to New York before. I’m kind of scared.
CHARLIE: Why?
ANGELA: Well, I know a lot of people have guns there. I think maybe it isn’t too safe.
CHARLIE: Don’t worry about it.
Your sister lives there. She probably knows the places in town you shouldn’t go.
It’s true there are some dangerous places in big American cities.
But if your sister lives there, she must know the city pretty well already.
ANGELA: Yes, I’m not really scared. Maybe only a little.
CHARLIE: Don’t believe what you see on TV. You will have a good time in New York.
What things do you want to see?
ANGELA: I want to see the museums, and I want to shop a lot.
CHARLIE: The museums are excellent. And the shopping!
Well! I’m sure you’ll spend a lot of money there.
ANGELA: Hmm. I hope not.
查理：对不起，你旁边有人吗?
安琪拉：没有吧。
查理：你介意我把夹克放在那里吗?
安琪拉：没问题。
安琪拉：你是美国人吗?
查理：是的，你呢?
安琪拉：我是台湾人，看不出来吗?
查理：你知道的，美国有很多华裔。
而且你的英文很好，听起来像是美国人。
安琪拉：不会吧，你过奖了。
查理：是真的，我只听出有一点点口音。
安琪拉：你是要回家吗?
查理：是的，事实上我是回去探亲。
安琪拉：你是来台湾探亲的?
查理：不是，我要回美国探亲。
我是美国人，但是我现在不住在那里，我住在台中。
安琪拉：真的!你住在台湾啊!
查理：没错。为什么不呢?
安琪拉：我能请问你在台湾的工作吗?
查理：当然可以。我在大学教历史，你知道东海大学吗?
安琪拉：当然，是个不错的学校。你住在台中多久了?
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(兼职编辑：段保净）