📙 Part 2: Describe another city you would like to stay in for a short time

This episode's vocabulary

To encapsulate (verb) - to express or show the most important facts about something.

To romanticize (verb) - to talk about something in a way that makes it sound better than it really is, or to believe that something is better than it really is.

To show up (phrasal verb) - to appear or be seen.

To poke around (phrasal verb) - to investigate, search through, or snoop around something or some place.

A must (noun) - something that is so good, you must do it, have it, or see it.

Historic (adj.) - important or likely to be important in history.

Medieval (adj.) - related to the Middle Ages (= the period in European history from about AD 600 to AD 1500).

Square (noun) - an area of approximately square-shaped land in a city or a town, often including the buildings that surround it.

To apply (verb) - (especially of rules or laws) to have a connection or be important.

Lend itself to something (phrase) - f something lends itself to something else, it is suitable for that thing or can be considered in that way.

To overstay (verb) - to stay longer in a place than you are allowed or wanted.

Cataclysmically (adverb) - in a way that causes a lot of destruction or a sudden, violent change.

Long for something; long to do something - to want something very much.

Questions and Answers

R: Well, I've always wanted to go to Slovenia, which is a place I studied when I was at university and looking at Eastern and Central European history and politics. In particular, I really want to go to a place called Piran. It's a small coastal town with a few tourist attractions. But the real reason I want to go is that I think it perfectly encapsulates the Slovenian experience, or at least my ideal of it. I have a tendency to romanticize these things. I'd quite like to go there with someone special, like a partner or a close friend. But if that never happens, then I don't mind going it alone and just showing up in town and poking around. It seems like a friendly place with a great reputation for being welcoming and friendly to foreigners. So I'm not worried about doing things by myself, especially since it only has a special meaning for me at the moment. Since it's a seaside town, obviously, I'll be visiting the beach and going swimming. I love swimming in the sea. I like swimming in general, to be honest, but I prefer the sea since there aren't any harsh chemicals that you get in swimming pools. Some sunbathing is also a must. But I don't want it to be a lazy holiday and I love nature, so I'd also like to explore the historic old town and medieval city walls. There are a few other sites like the towers, churches and squares along with the harbour area. But the thing I'd like to do the most is see what the people are like. I've probably met two Slovenians in my whole life, but they were hilarious. And they've had, well, at least they had a very unique take or perspective on the world that I found very engaging. I'd like to see if that applies to the country as a whole, since they said it did. It would have to be a brief visit though, as my lifestyle doesn't exactly lend itself to long holidays of a week or two. I also have this belief that it's better to leave wanting more than to overstay and get cataclysmically bored. And that's why it worked very well for me so far. If I never get the chance to go there, I'll be a bit disappointed since it's an experience I've been longing for for a while now. Actually, I think I might book the trip quite soon.

M: And have you told your friends about this place?

R: Actually, I haven't. I probably should do if I want any of them to go with me.