The Flat lands
平坦大地
Kathy and Evan leave Amsterdam to continue their journey through Europe.
凯西和艾凡离开阿姆斯特丹,继续他们游欧洲的行程。
K:Gee, this land is so flat!
凯西:咦,这里的地真是平坦!
E:The Netherlands literally means "the down lands," which of course means "the lowlands."
艾凡:荷兰字面上的意思是洼地,当然就是低地的意思。
K:It's flat, but why do they say it's "low"?
凯西:地面很平坦呀,为什么他们要说是『低地』呢?
E:A lot of the Netherlands is actually below sea level.
艾凡:实际上荷兰许多陆地都低于海平面。
That's why there are dikes everywhere to keep out the sea water.
那也就是荷兰到处可见阻挡海水的堤防的原因了。
K:No wonder the Dutch are considered an industrious people.
凯西:难怪荷兰人被认为是一个很勤奋的民族。
It's a constant fight against the sea for survival.
为了生存他们和海洋长期博斗。
E:The Dutch are tough. Such a small country, but they've not only survived, they've prospered.
艾凡:荷兰人很吃苦耐劳的。这么一个小国家,他们不仅生存,而且还兴盛繁荣。
K:It's true. You hardly see any poverty here.
凯西:你说的没错。在这里几乎看不到贫穷。
E:Oh, look! There are a couple of old windmills on that farm.
艾凡:哦,看那边!那个农场上有几座风车。
K:How pretty! Let's stop here a minute. I want to take a picture.
凯西:好漂亮哦!咱们在这里停一下子吧。我想照张相。
E:Sure. I'll get off at this exit. Then you can take pictures to your heart's content.
艾凡:没问题,我在下个出口下公路,然后你可以拍个痛快。
K:Thanks. Oh, if you're hungry, there are a couple of sandwiches and drinks in the cooler.
凯西:谢啦。哦,你如果饿了,冰桶里面有几块三明治和饮料。
Mrs. Van Helsing made the sandwiches especially for us.
这些三明治是凡·赫尔辛太太特别为我们做的。
E:That woman is a saint!
艾凡:那位女士真是好心!