Readme before you journey
This travelogue is a continuation of the story from the previous post.
Portland https://th.readme.me/p/18597
and Washington D.C. https://th.readme.me/p/19163
After exiting the station, I waited for the bus nearby. The weather was very hot.
Alexandria is located approximately 16 kilometers from Washington, D.C., and is accessible via the Metro system.
We must take a car and then walk to Christ Church, which is the meeting point designated by the guide.
Upon meeting the guide, we were informed that we could explore the interior while waiting for the group to assemble.
Christ Church
This tour is limited to 10 people and is free of charge. However, at the end of the tour, you are welcome to tip the guide a minimum of $10 or more, depending on your satisfaction.
(Those interested can visit https://freetoursbyfoot.com/washington-dc-tours/ for more information.)
The tour group consisted of people from Australia and California, with me being the only Asian participant. The tour guide was American.
Once everyone had arrived, the guide began explaining the various historical sites. The total walking distance was approximately 3 miles.
Alexandria, also known as Old Town, is a historic district dating back to the colonial era of the United States, predating the nation's founding by over 50 years. Named after philanthropist George Alexander, who donated land for the city's establishment, Alexandria is also the birthplace of George Washington.
Alexandria is currently part of the state of Virginia.
The condition of the old town
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Please provide the image or its description for me to translate effectively.
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If you have any other text you would like me to translate, please provide it and I will be happy to assist you.
This cobblestone street is considered a historic landmark.
Or a gravel road dating back to the 18th century
The guide informed us that this house belonged to George Washington during his youth.
The provided text is an image link, not a sentence or phrase. Therefore, I cannot translate it.
Please provide a sentence or phrase in Thai that you would like me to translate into English.
Upon closer inspection, one can discern a sculpture of George Washington within.
This area is the City Hall, a historical landmark.
The streets of this city are lined with charming shops and trendy restaurants. The buildings retain their original character from a bygone era.
The final stop on the tour was the Torpedo Factory Art Center, which houses a vast collection of contemporary art.
Before parting ways, everyone tipped the guide as a token of appreciation.
We enjoyed this tour because it was friendly and perfect for solo travelers who don't want to feel lonely, as there were many other solo travelers in the group.
Riverside atmosphere
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The towns and villages in that area.
Take a break and buy ice cream to eat.
It was around four o'clock in the afternoon, and we were wondering where to go. As we exited the Metro station, we noticed a monitor displaying information about Mount Vernon. We searched for it on Google Maps and saw that it closed at five o'clock, with a travel time of thirty minutes. We decided to go, so we boarded a bus. However, after a while, we realized we had boarded the wrong bus.
It's a shame we couldn't make it in time. We should have planned better.
The original text describes a situation where the speaker, having boarded the wrong Metro station, decides to visit the Pentagon Mall instead.
Here's a possible translation:
Finding myself at the wrong Metro station, I decided to change my plans. Glancing at the station signage, I noticed the Pentagon station. On a whim, I opted to visit the Pentagon Mall and enjoy the cool air conditioning.
Front view of the department store
The interior of the mall is similar to other malls, selling brand-name and fashion items.
And the condition of the shophouses there
The provided text is an empty HTML paragraph tag with no content. Therefore, there is nothing to translate.
If you have any other text you would like me to translate, please provide it and I will be happy to assist you.
We were strolling around the neighborhood until around nine o'clock in the evening. We decided to head home because we remembered that we had a meeting with Marita and Ken at eight o'clock.
Ken picked me up at Springfield Station as usual.
Upon arriving home, they formulated a plan with Ken.
"Let's leave home a little earlier tomorrow so we can visit the Pentagon Memorial and the Air Force Memorial. We also have a Georgetown tour at 10 am that ends around noon."
Ken will pick you up at Springfield at two in the afternoon to go to the airport.
Ken was also worried about whether we could get back from Georgetown, so he went into the room to print out a map for us to see.
After discussing their travel plans, Ken and Marita stated that
"We will be working outside and will return home around 11:00 pm. Please make yourself at home and feel free to turn on the television if you wish."
Therefore, we stated that
"Tonight, I want to sit outside in the backyard because it's beautiful and the atmosphere at night should be nice."
After Marita and Ken left, we went out to sit in the backyard, eating pizza and looking at photos.
The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.
Filled with gratitude, she thought to herself how lucky she was to have the opportunity to visit D.C. and have free accommodation. Feeling a strong desire to reciprocate Marita and Ken's kindness, she tore out a piece of paper and picked up a pen to write a thank-you note.
The atmosphere tonight is so beautiful, I wish I could stop time. A time where I don't have to think about anything, no heavy burdens to carry.
Similar to Thailand
Waking up early this morning, we realized it was our last day. We walked upstairs to find breakfast and found Marita and Ken reading newspapers in the kitchen. Marita said,
"I'm going to work early today and won't be back until late, so I'm taking this opportunity to say goodbye."
Ready to reach out and hug us, so we said
"Please wait a moment, I have something for you."
He then rushed downstairs, grabbed the letters for Marita and Ken, and said:
"Before returning to Portland, I want to express my deepest gratitude for everything you have done for me. Though I have nothing material to offer in return, please accept this letter as a token of my appreciation."
If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be in DC. I took a picture to remember it.
Ken took us to see the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, before heading to the Pentagon. He mentioned that he used to work at the Pentagon when he was younger.
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense. The building is shaped like a pentagon, which is a symbol of the American military.
The Air Force Memorial, designed by Ken, resembles three airplanes soaring into the sky.
Ken tried to find a parking spot for us to get out and take pictures, but he couldn't find one. We told him it was okay, and that taking pictures from the car was fine.
The sky was overcast that day, as if rain was about to fall. It would be a welcome relief from the heat.
Translation:
This is the Pentagon Memorial, where photography is only allowed in this specific area. Initially, we went to take pictures of the Pentagon building.
The sentence "Please Translate:
" is incomplete and lacks context. As a journalist translator, I require more information to provide an accurate and meaningful translation. Please provide the complete sentence or paragraph you wish to be translated, including any relevant background information or context. This will enable me to deliver a translation that is both accurate and appropriate for the intended audience.
An official approached and informed us that photography was prohibited, except within the designated memorial area.
This memorial serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost in the hijacked terrorist attack on the Pentagon.
The memorial resembles a bench, with a stream flowing beneath it and the names of individuals inscribed along its edges.
A.
After finishing our visit, we walked to the nearby Pentagon Metro station to head towards Georgetown.
After exiting the metro, we had to walk a short distance to catch the bus. Along the way, we passed a woman whose face seemed familiar. We tried to remember, and then it dawned on us: she was a member of our Alexandria tour group from the previous day. She was Australian. We stopped to greet her, and she said...
"What a strange coincidence!" (Indeed, it is.)
Checking my watch, I saw that I had some time to spare, so I decided to take a walk around the area. I noticed a sign pointing towards Dupont Circle, so I followed it.
Dupont Circle
This area, resembling a hipster district in DC, features a white marble fountain dedicated to Samuel Francis Du Pont, a hero of the Civil War.
After that, I took the bus to Georgetown.
Georgetown, a historic neighborhood in Washington, D.C., is renowned for its cobblestone streets.
There are distinctive architectural features, such as brick houses.
Then walk to the meeting point, which is located near the waterfront.
The sentence is empty.
We met our guide today. The group members who asked questions came from various places, including LA and England. We had a good conversation and enjoyed practicing listening to different accents. Once everyone arrived, we set off on our journey.
Walk to the nearest point, which is the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal. Unfortunately, it was closed for renovation on the day we visited.
Translation:
The provided link leads to an image file. As a language model, I am unable to process and translate images.
If you would like me to translate the text associated with the image, please provide the text itself or a description of the image.
Translation:
If it weren't closed for renovation, it would be very beautiful (I stole this picture from the internet).
The sentence is empty.
The state of Georgetown
The guide is the one wearing an orange shirt. Today is not as hot as yesterday because it has been raining lightly.
Translation:
The ancient stone dwelling.
An old stone house, built in 1765, is one of the oldest buildings in Washington, D.C.
The guide referred to the small, blue house as a "spiky house." It was one of the narrowest houses, but it had a certain charm.
Translation:
The provided link leads to an image hosted on ReadMe.me. Without access to the image itself, I cannot provide an accurate translation. Please provide the image or its description for a complete translation.
The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.
Not many people were seen. The group of people seen in the picture are the people in our tour group.
The final destination is Georgetown University.
The oldest Catholic university in America, with many famous American graduates.
Following the custom of name-your-own-price tours, everyone tipped the guide according to their satisfaction and desired amount.
Translation:
This tour format is enjoyable due to its intimate atmosphere and small group size. The guide is attentive and engaging, making it ideal for solo travelers seeking to avoid loneliness and practice their English skills.
This angle is beautiful, with Georgetown University visible in the background.
Georgetown is a historic city, but it also offers charming boutique shops for shopping.
After taking a break to eat bananas on campus, we went for a short walk along the path to the bus stop. Along the way, we looked for friendly-looking people to ask to take our picture.
Translation:
The provided link leads to an image hosted on ReadMe.me. Without further context or information about the image, it is impossible to provide an accurate translation.
Please provide additional details about the image, such as its content or purpose, to enable a more accurate and relevant translation.
As we approached the destination, we noticed a long queue in front of a shop. Looking up, we realized it was the famous Georgetown Cupcake. Some websites claim it offers the most delicious cupcakes in America.
I decided to go in and buy something, but it took so long that I almost missed the bus. It was about a minute before the bus arrived. Phew, but I made it just in time.
Translation:
The taste is good. We ordered the seasalt caramel flavor, which is not too sweet.
Upon arriving at the host family's home, Ken summoned us to observe a cat named Roman, who was 13 years old.
Nicole shared that the cat was adopted from another location and is jointly cared for by her and her neighbor, making it a shared pet for both households.
Translation:
Overweight and very cute
As we approached, Roman walked away, prompting Ken to follow him.
Ken drove me to the airport. We talked the whole way, and I really liked his perspective on things. Now I understand why Nicole thinks so highly of him.
Ken stated, "We are incredibly smart to be venturing out on our own like this. Nicole has never sent students before; we are the first."
In addition, Takae was mentioned. Nicole must have told him. Ken also said that...
"Traveling to new places broadens our perspective and allows us to see the world differently. If you have the opportunity, take a trip and explore new horizons. You can even bring your mother along next time!"
They never thought they would be brave enough to sleep at a stranger's house. So they turned around and said,
"Nicole's pleasant demeanor suggests that her parents may also possess similar qualities."
Ken then turned and laughed.
The car ride is nearing its end, passing by a construction site for a connecting road to Ken Airport.
She turned and said, "Next time, pick us up here."
It saddens me to say that time flies. It brought us together, two individuals from opposite sides of the world, only to separate us again. Though my time with Ken and Marita was brief, it was enough to recognize their kindness.
And then the time came.
I have arrived at the airport.
We are getting off the car.
Ken said that.
"Hold on a moment, let me give you a hug."
He/She/They said, "Nice to meet you."
We express our sincere gratitude to Ken for his invaluable assistance.
And we traveled back to Portland.
Upon arrival, Nicole was greeted at the airport.
We were sharing stories about our recent trips, and Nicole mentioned that it was...
"It was hilarious how we ended up staying at his house and meeting his parents."
We also said that
"Interestingly, my mother and yours have also had conversations. This is a surprising coincidence that I had not previously considered."
Nicole asked,
"Was your mother concerned about you?"
"She merely intended to express gratitude to your mother."
And she said that.
"Mom just called to ask if we arrived in Portland safely and said that I forgot my hat at home, by the sink. She will mail it tomorrow."
Previously, we were looking for our hat. We thought we had brought it out of the house. In fact, we had forgotten it by the sink. It was right after we finished filling the water. At that time, we felt embarrassed that we had left our things there.
"I apologize for my mistake. I will compensate you."
Nicole quickly replied that
"It's just a few baht, don't worry."
We smiled and thanked Nicole.
A few days later, a package arrived containing the "help me" hat that we had forgotten at Nicole's parents' house.
With a small note from Ken and Marita.
She is only 19 years old and just finished her first year of college. She lives in Portland, where the public transportation system is excellent. However, she still finds herself riding the wrong bus more than half the time she has lived there.
However, we have achieved it and gained many things in return.
I never thought that on the day I walked back from Toffee club with Michael, the simple sentence he said, "The fireworks in DC on the 4th of July are beautiful," would...
It will actually happen. We really went to see fireworks on American National Day in DC.
Fortunately, it was a good thing I went, because I would have gone anyway.
It would be a shame to miss out, wouldn't it? How many times will there be...
This will give you the opportunity to have free accommodation.
Beyond the free accommodation and beautiful house, we had the opportunity to meet Nicole's parents.
He is a very good person.
How many more times will I be able to visit the American capital on American Independence Day?
Or this may be the last time.
We may not have another chance like this.
We owe a debt of gratitude to Nicole for making all of this possible.
Nali
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 8:12 PM
