2 . On Christmas of 2017, I was born again. We like to spend our Christmas holidays somewhere warm abroad, and that year we_________Uganda. Nature, wildlife, and sunny days were a_________when it was so_________and dark in Europe. Life was beautiful, and we had a rental car and a busy schedule ahead to explore the country.

This is where this short travel story turns into one of my most_________travel experiences. At Murchinson Falls National Park, we had a car accident. I lost _________of the car, and it rolled over, destroying windows, chassis(底盘),and the engine. But we were alive! My right arm was_________injured, but we_________to walk to our lodge(旅馆), not far inside the_________. In the lodge, I was_________to learn that there was a pretty decent American hospital in Masindi that was just a one-hour drive away. Moreover, one of the lodge’s guests was a nurse who__________the wound while we were waiting for the taxi. The hospital took care of us and after a couple of injections and stitches(缝合), I was__________to head to our new hotel in Masindi; however, my wound required daily__________and more injections, so we were__________to stay in town for a few days.

The town’s highlights were the market and our__________visit to the hospital, so we__________looking for the small things,__________with the medical staff and the people in the market, and learning more about their customs.

We learned to slow down. When we were allowed to__________, we took a road trip through the country to see something else. We did not care about our travel bucket__________anymore - we were__________, and we wanted to enjoy Uganda’s unique nature and its people. In the end, our Uganda trip was not about the places that we saw, but the people that we met. It was travel for__________VS sightseeing.

4 . This Spanish city is almost car-free. Pontevedra, a city located in the north-west of Spain, gives pedestrians priority (优先) on city streets. With a population of 80,000, the local government has spent decades redesigning the city so that it is walkable.    1    .

“Everything here is pretty close,” Elena Herroro, who moved to the city from Madrid. “I have the health center almost behind my house. The hospital is also close by. I have several supermarkets right under my apartment.    2    .”

The city’s pedestrian-friendly (对行人友好的) layout has attracted local businesses and shops. And restaurants are flourishing. That’s because the streets are perfect for strolling and shopping.

“Every city has its main commercial street, which defines its character,” said city official César Mosquera. “    3    , you are transmitting an image: what’s modern, what’s cool, what’s contemporary.” He said that restricting cars does just that.

The first area to be closed off to cars was the old town in Pontevedra, which was transformed in 1999. That’s because in the 1990s, the city was choked by traffic.    4    .

“This city was basically a giant warehouse for cars, full of private vehicles that filled our public space, generated noise and emissions, and stopped our citizens-especially children and the elderly-from having true autonomy in the place where they lived,” said Pontevedra’s mayor Miguel Anxo Fernández Lores.    5    

5 . Unusual Libraries Around the World

There are 2.7 million libraries spreading across the globe, and while there are many beautiful ones, there are also a number of unique ones.

The Haskell Free Library and Opera House, a special library spanning two countries, is stationed on the border between Canada and the United States and serves people from both countries. The main entrance is on the American side, but the majority of collection of the books are in Canada. There’s even an official American-Canada borderline running right across the library’s floor.

Praised by many as a library of the future, the Deichman Bjørvika, city of Oslo’s new main library, has one hundred unread and unpublished texts. They are stored in a specially designed room lined with wood from the forest, making the library the world’s most secretive one. It witnesses different authors add their works to the collection that will not be available for reading until 2114.

Quietly sitting on an isolated (孤零零的) stretch of beach of Qinhuangdao in northern China, the Seashore Library has been called the world’s loneliest library. People have to walk across the sand to reach the doors. The building is designed to promote people’s connection with ocean, so the main reading room features a layered design to ensure that everyone has a good view of the sea.

Bíbliotheca Alexandrina is considered as a revival (复兴) of an ancient library in the Alex-andria 2,300 years ago or so. Characterized by its circular, tilting form, the building spans 160 meters in diameter (直径) and reaches up to 32 meters in height, while also diving some 12 meters into the ground.

7 . A Journey to Costa Rica

Costa Rican culture and its natural environment are deeply connected. Travel through the country from the Central Valley to the Pacific coast and everywhere in between. Experience first-hand Costa Rica’s lifestyle and you’ll soon see why Costa Rica is the happiest country in the world!

Program at a Glance

Dates 8. Price: August 5~9: $750 each person

Ages: 14 ~18

Group Size: 4 ~10 participants

Level of Spanish: A basic level is recommended

Details

Start with a walking tour of San Jose and visit its top places of interest: the National Theater, Gold Museum. Central Park and Central Market.

Stay with a homestay family in Heredia for a close experience into the Costa Rican lifestyle.

Learn about the beautifully painted oxcarts(牛车)in Sarchi,the heart of the country’s artisan culture. Participate in a painting workshop.enjoy a typical lunch and visit gardens

Experience a coffee tour in the highland community of Naranjo.

Travel to Guatuso to learn about the native peoples and their traditional ways

Visit Abangares and its gold mines.

End in Heredia with a farewell dinner and a cooking class.

Hangzhou will build a world-class ecological and cultural tourism corridor in connection with Anhui Province’s Huangshan City. Five towns in Hangzhou’s Chun’an County and five towns in Huangshan’s Shexian County    1     (include) according to the prepared plan. In ancient times, they were part of Huizhou region where the Xin’an River runs through. Dating back to the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), a trail    2    (link) Hangzhou’s Tianmu Mountain and Huangshan’s Yellow Mountain was formed to exchange goods     3     the two regions.

Over the years, Hangzhou and Huangshan     4    (preserve) their unique architecture and local ways of life in old villages, making this area popular with tourists. The villages have resisted the winds of change    5     swept across many other parts of China. In addition to architecture, also, the natural environment is being protected, with sewage(污水)    6    (treat) and new infrastructure being built.

These improvements are attracting more tourists and creating     7     engine for the local economy. Moreover, for those who love hiking, jogging or cycling, the Thousand Islands Lake in Chun’an County is an ideal destination    8     it boasts 1, 078 islands, winding roads and charming villages.

In     9    (add), Hangzhou will also increase forest coverage along the river in partnership with Huangshan, which perfectly matches President Xi Jinping’s concept of “Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” to highlight a     10    (harmony) relationship between ecological protection and economic development.

9 . A family vacation may be a good opportunity to relax and enjoy ourselves. Destinations nestled in nature with plenty of breathing room and easy access to fresh air are trending. Here are four destinations with an eye towards the great outdoors.

Woodloch Resort, Pennsylvania

Considering meals, drinks and activities are all included, it is worry-free to travel at Woodloch Resort. With vast rural grounds, its location and safety measures make it easy to be socially distant. You can sail on the lake, hike, swim or enjoy family-friendly games and entertainment. Comfort food classics served three times each day should satisfy even picky eaters.

Ocean Lakes Family Campground, South Carolina

Camping is a time-honored tradition. Families may bond over simple pleasures such as eating burgers grilled over an open fire and stargazing. Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, sits on nearly a mile of beachfront. Each site is roomy enough for a large camper. Mini-golf, a waterpark, and bike rentals are a few of the many family friendly recreational options.

Hull-O Farms, New York

Develop a connection to the land when you stay on a working farm. Take part in simple agricultural tasks such as picking fruit, gathering eggs and milking cows. Kids can enjoy the outdoor environment with healthy freedom that their parents might not be able to allow them in a crowded city. Hull-O Farms is a 7th-generation family farm. Guests may reserve one of three comfortable houses and participate in farm life as much or as little as they please.

Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley is not far from Philadelphia and New York. You’ll find a slower pace as you travel along scenic country roads through mountains, valleys and forests.

You can hike in Shenandoah National Park, explore large caves» or rent a boat moving down the Shenandoah River.

10 . Marvelous Scenic Walks Near London

There are plenty of walking routes in London. If you fancy something a bit more rural, then the green and pleasant land has plenty to offer.

If you’re in the mood for a gentle rural walk, the Thames Path is far from boring. The 5-mile footpath follows the curve of the river, winding past wildflower meadows (草地).

Post-walk pub: Pangbourne’s seventeenth-century pub The Swan serves high-end dishes. Bag a table on the riverside or keep toasty by one of its open fires.

To admire this spots rural views, first you’ve got to jump across 17 stepping stones and climb 272 steps to the top of Box Hill, where the path begins. The total distance is 6.8 miles.

Post-walk pub: The cavernous Tree on Box Hill has an attractive menu and huge beer garden, or sample a glass of Juniper Hill at Denbies Winerie.

If you’ve already done the classic Seven Sisters clifftop walk or can’t face all those hills, this is a long but lovely alternative. The route covering 14.3 miles snakes along a ridge and a river valley.

Post-walk pub: There are always 10 real beers at the old-school pub The Wellington.

Chess Valley in the Chiltern Hills isn’t home to any chess masters, but it used to produce a kind of water plant. This walk of 4.9 miles follows the river, winding through rolling meadows and woods.

Post-walk pub: The George & Dragon is a simple old coaching pub on the High Street with a log fire, real beers and giant burgers.