How’s it going? Hoje eu falo pra vocês sobre uma pessoa que conheci no fim de semana: a black cab driver.
Transcrição
How’s it going? This is the new episode of the Inglês Online podcast.
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a black cab in London
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Today I’m gonna tell you about an acquaintance I made over the weekend. I went for a guided walk in central London, with a group, and as we waited for other people to arrive at the meeting point I struck up a conversation with this guy David.
He was born and raised in London, and now lives near Heathrow airport. He told me that he will soon be moving to a nice area further up north. I then asked him about what his commute was going to be like after he moved house, and he said that it doesn’t really matter since he drives a black cab. So that’s his occupation: he drives a black cab.
He told me that he had to pass a test in order to be qualified as a black cab driver. He studied for three years – yes, that’s three years – to prepare for the exam. Just to give you an idea, David had to memorise over three hundred routes in London. Basically, you’ve got to know the map of London by heart, as well as all the important landmarks and buildings. Twenty-five thousand streets… How about that?
In London you have the choice of black cabs and mini-cabs. Black cabs are the more expensive option and now I understand why. The driver of a black cab is highly qualified and chances are better that, you know, you’re not going to be ripped off or run into any sort of trouble. With that said, there are good reputable minicab firms as well – but it’s a lot easier to become a minicab driver than it is to be licensed and qualified to be a black cab driver, so… It’s just less risky to hop into a black cab than a minicab.
While we were walking, I told David where I live in London – it’s an area called West Norwood which most people haven’t heard of, but he obviously knew immediately where it was. Not only that, but he knew there was a somewhat famous cemetery in West Norwood, and he ended up giving me a few tips on local attractions that I could visit.
David then told me about his trip to the United States a while ago. I think he visited seven or eight cities, and his favourite one was New York, and the least favourite one was San Francisco.
So there you go: now you know a little bit about the life of a black cab driver in London. What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments and talk to you next time!
Vocabulário
a guided walk = uma caminhada com um(a) guia, que vai comentando os pontos de interesse durante o passeio
struck up a conversation = comecei a conversar
after he moved house = depois que ele mudasse de casa
commute = “viagem” ou trajeto, geralmente para o trabalho (e do trabalho para casa)
Ana criou um blog de dicas de inglês em 2006, e depois de muito pesquisar o que faz alguém ganhar fluência numa segunda língua, criou seu primeiro curso de inglês em 2009.
Newb question: 1) If I root, can I just keep the stock ROM and just “tweak” it how I want it (Overclock, remove bloatware, etc)? 2) I’m looking for a good resource for additional options for ROM’s, and if possible, a comparison of the various functions / features of the options available. Anything out there?Thx!
I got what you mean , thanks for posting .Woh I am thankful to find this website through google. “Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment.” by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
