Episode Description:
Trip Around the World (Part 1) For more than a quarter century, I have told my students tales of two buddies and me traveling around the world, including the legendary Trans-Siberian Railroad, in 1991. Our trip began and ended in Hsinchu, Taiwan, where we were living at the time. We voyaged from Guangzhou, China to Berlin, Germany, all by rail, with other portions done by water and air. It was one of the best experiences of my life, and it came at a pivotal time in the modern age. In 1991, China had only been reopened to the outside world for about twelve years, the USSR was in its last six months, and Germany had been reunited less than one year. My friend and fellow-traveler Mr. Terry Racher joins us for this episode. We discuss why we decided to make the trip, how it started, and it goes up to our departure from Beijing on the Trans-Siberian Railroad.
Word of the Day: circumnavigate (verb) to travel around the world
Word Stem: “circum” = around Other words with “circum”: circumference, circumstances, circumspect
Question of the Day: Do you know anyone who has circumnavigated the globe? If you could, what countries would you want to visit on the way?
Listen to Episode 10 below.
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Check your listening ability:
1. The church Mr. Racher co-founded in Hsinchu, Taiwan was founded by four men of three different denominations of Christianity. What were they?
2. What was the name of the travel agency they used in Hong Kong?
A. Wrong Turns
B. Fastimes
C. Departures
D. Monkey Business
3. A friend name Max could speak seven different languages, which were they?
4. T/F Mr. Racher was never asked whether he had Bibles in his bag when he entered China.
5. How long was the train ride from Guangzhou to Beijing?
A. 36 hours
B. 1 week
C. 4 hours
D. 10 hours
6. Why were there very few foreigners in China?
A. The three amigos were there in the off season.
B. China had recently opened back up after communist control.
C. The three amigos had had to process significant red tape to be there.
D. Most tourists were in another part of China.
7. Which type of transportation was prolific in Beijing?
A. Cars
B. Motorcycles
C. Bicycles
D. Public buses
8. What message did the Chinese pastor want Mr. Racher to share with his fellow Christians in Taiwan and the US?
9. On what day did Mao Zedong declare the foundation of the People’s Republic of China?
10. What historic artifact did Mr. Dreyer see related to question #9?
Answer Key:
1. Southern Baptist, American Presbyterian, Canadian Presbyterian, Lutheran Brethren
2. D. Monkey Business
3. Greek, Hebrew, Russian, English, Chinese, French, Spanish
4. False, he was asked if he had Bibles but a guard distracted the inquiring guard and Mr. Racher’s bag was moved along.
5. A. 36 hours
6. B. China had recently opened back up after communist control.
7. C. Bicycles
8. “The church is alive in China.”
9. October 1, 1949
10. The microphone Mao Zedong used to announce the foundation of the PRC.
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