【推荐2】Transport around the World

The bamboo train, Cambodia

This simple train is made from pieces of bamboo. Local people use it to travel and move things from one village to another. It’s got an engine on it and wheels from old trains. It uses the same rails as the national trains and it’s a quick way to travel. But be careful: when you hear a train coming, get out of the way quickly!

The tuktuk, Thailand

Tuktuks are originally from Thailand, but they are popular in many Asian countries. They’ve got three wheels and an engine. The noise the engine makes gives the tuktuk its name. They are big enough for two to four people and a suitcase and they are often used for making short trips across busy cities. They’re small so they can go through the crowded streets quickly. The journey is often a little dangerous but always exciting.

The zorb, New Zealand

The zorb is not really a type of transport but it is a fun way of getting about. The zorb is a big plastic ball. One person gets inside and the zorb then rolls down the hill. There is a cushion of air to protect the person. It’s an exciting way of getting down a hill but it isn’t so good for getting up again!

The totora boat, Peru

Lake Titicaca is a large lake between Peru and Bolivia. The Uro people live in floating villages on the water. They use a local reed called totora to build their homes and boats. The Totora boats are light but very strong. The Uro people build the boats that look like dragons to protect them and their homes.

【推荐3】I first discovered Ruskin Bond on a hot afternoon in Agartala. My mother, sister and I were spending the summer with my father, an army officer, who was stationed there.

There wasn't much to do for a young teen in the army cantonment, so I spent most of my days at the library, which housed a various—if modest—collection of books. I casually picked up Bond's Delhi Is Not Far on one such day and was immediately drawn into his gentle, unassuming, non-judgmental world.

Since that day, I've searched for and read quickly and with great enthusiasm every one of Ruskin Bond's works. I think my affinity came from the fact that I identified on some level with him. Like me, he was shy and dreamy and enjoyed the company of the written word above that of people.

A particularly painful theme that runs through Ruskin Bond's work is his relationship with his father. The two were extremely close, more so perhaps because they were each other's sole emotional support systems. Bond's parents divorced when he was little, and so it was just him and his father, and the latter comes across as a sensitive, gentle man who adored his son.

Bond's father died suddenly of malaria at 46, when Bond was just 10—a cruel blow for the young boy. It's remarkable how Bond writes about his father's untimely death with a quiet dignity: It is deeply touching but never maudlin（凄凉的）

Moved as I was by Bond's memories of his father, little did I know that I would soon be experiencing his pain first-hand. When I was 21, my father too suddenly passed away after a brief illness. Looking back at the time immediately after my father's passing, all I remember is a feeling of utter disbelief, of thinking. I sought refuge in my beloved books, and no other author gave me as much assistance and relief as did my beloved Ruskin Bond.

【推荐1】Teachers work hard to care equally about each of the students they teach. For most of us, however, some students stand out because they have greatly influenced our lives. Years ago, I had a young boy named Juan in my first-year class who I will never forget. Our experiences together impressed upon me the huge influence that just a few minutes of kindness can have on a young life.

Juan came from a very poor, single parent home. His mother showed little interest in his education and in his life in general. Throughout the year, I noticed that Juan had an unusual ability to solve questions and he picked up new ideas fast. I was surprised when he approached me to tell me that he did not think he was smart enough to attend college.

I explained to Juan that he was one of my best students. His face lit up with excitement, and he looked at me delightedly. I went on to explain to him that he could apply for scholarships (奖学金) to pay for college. I continued by telling Juan that it would be a waste of talent if he did not go to college. Juan looked as though he would need to re-think his whole life. It was not surprising that he was finally awarded enough scholarship that he was able to attend the local university.

My love for my students and for the subject I teach has continued to grow over the years. I consider myself lucky to be a teacher, and to have been a part of so many young lives, hopes, and dreams! I may not drive the nicest car on the block, but I am very rich in the things that count the most.

【推荐2】It’s getting close to midnight, and close to my destination—mile marker 133 on Alaska’s Glenn Highway, where I’m on the road to realize a lifelong dream. I’m going to see the northern lights.

I am Scott’s only customer tonight, but whether it’s one person or a bridal party from Japan, the professional photographer and videographer loves to come put here to witness one of nature’s most spectacular shows — and to share it with others. “I can’t tell you how much joy I get from seeing the smile on people’s faces. That’s worth it right there. That’s the reason why I do tours,” he says.

I emerge from the van into minus 6 degrees. A bazillion stars sparkle, and the Milky Way pours overhead. What looks like a gray stream of cloud arches low over the horizon. “That’s it!” says Scott. Really? That’s it? I spent 13 hours in planes and airports, and then drove 2.5 hours to see a gray belt? “Patience,” he says. “It will get better. Wait till 2 am. That’s usually the best time.”

Aurora (极光) tourism is combined with winter activities like ice fishing, snow machine rides, and hot springs. As aurora guides and scientists will tell you, there’s no guarantee of a sighting. But Fairbanks is a statistically good bet because of its northern location and freedom from coastal clouds, which can be a challenge for Anchorage. Travelers are recommended to put aside at least three nights to improve your chances of viewing, with the idea that you’ll be up much of the night each time.

Each time he wakes me and I step outside, it appears more glorious. At first, a fuzz the size of a honeydew floats along the horizon. Another time, a broad green line stretches across the sky, followed by a short tail. “Do you see the red?” Scott asks. He has me look through his camera. It can see more color than the naked eye. Finally, as if playing a visual symphonic tune, a giant line of phosphorous (发磷光的) green seems to swoop down to the treetops and dollop them with a curlicue swirl. I’m smiling inside and out. We can go now.

【推荐3】Michael and his wife had recently moved into a new apartment building in SanFrancisco when they met a neighbor who is an Indian priest (牧师).

The priest, Jeff Dunan, 77, told Michael about an organization he volunteers for, which provides food, clothing and essential supplies to poor people in northern Bangladesh. The man decided to donate to the GoFundMe campaign, and settled on$150. “I thought it was a good cause, and a neighborly thing to do,” he said.

Shortly after making his donation on the GoFundMe campaign that day in February 2022, though, Michael received information from his credit card company, warning him of a suspiciously (可疑地)large business. He opened the text message, which warned him of a $15,041 charge from GoFundMe. When he saw the five-figure number, he couldn’t believe it.

Soon, it all made sense. Michael’s credit card number started with four and one. Clearly, he said, he accidentally began typing his credit card information while his cursor(光标) was still in the donation box.

Michael called GoFundMe’s support line in a panic and explained the mistaken donation. To his relief, he was told he would be refunded for the mistake within three to seven business days.

Still, there was a major complication: The $15,000 donation — which more than doubled the total amount raised at the time — would remain on the GoFundMe page until the refund was processed.

“I was like, oh no, that’s a problem,” Michael recalled. Before he explained to Dunan, he started receiving Facebook messages from Shohag Chandra, the charity’s Bangladesh-based program manager, thanking him for his substantial donation.

“The man had sent me a video of himself from Bangladesh, surrounded by dozens of hungry people holding bags of food, thanking me BY NAME.” After Michael watched it, his heart sank. He felt terrible that he had to revoke (撤销) his donation, and he wanted to offer more. Once his original contribution was refunded, he donated $1,500.