Romantic parties held in ancient quadrangles

时间：2007-04-17 07:31:29

（单词翻译:单击）

Chinanews, Beijing, April 17 - Deep in Nan Luo Gu Xiang, one of the oldest Hutong (the Chinese word for alleys) in Beijing, romantic Western-style parties are regularly held in a quadrangle here, at which tasty coffee and good wine are served, and the customers can enjoy themselves thoroughly1 while listening to soft music.

 

"My German boyfriend and I love this place, as this ancient quadrangle helps bring to pass our dream of living in the ancient oriental capital, at the same time having access to all the modern conveniences we can have," said Ya Tou (not her real name), the hostess of the party. "In a word, it is our Shangri-la."

 

Sometimes, "old-style" parties are held, and all the visitors are required to put on old-style costumes. Even the food is allocated2 according to ration3 coupons4. "I like to experience the hard life of our forefathers5 in such a quadrangle, and I believe it is an ode to them," said Lin, who once attended an "old-style" party.

 

Mostly, the parties are of modern and Western style with numerous artistic6 elements. "I am always impressed by the atmosphere here. Sometimes I just sit here as if I were in a trance," said Xu, a college girl. Xu especially like the platform on the roof, from which the eaves of the buildings in the Forbidden City can be seen.

 

Movie are often shown at Ya Tou's parties, too. She has installed a projector7 in the hall of the house.

 

The history of Nan Luo Gu Xiang dates back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368), and the former residences of the wealthy and influential8 families in the past have been transformed into the monuments to new fashion trends today.

 

"The quadrangles here are usually full at night, as many as 70 or 80 vistors in each of them," said Ms. Zhou, the owner of a cafe in the near Dong Mian Hua Hu Tong.

 

It is very difficult to find Zhou's cafe, which is hidden in the depth of the Hutong, too. The yard of the cafe is of totally traditional Chinese style, with a clear stream running in it. However, the interior of the house is absolutely Westernized, with fireplaces, huge, soft, red sofas, and a large wooden bar, reminding visitors of some scenes in the fairy tales of H.C Andersen or Brothers Grimm.

 

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1 thoroughly sgmz0J     
adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地
参考例句：
  • The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
  • The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。
2 allocated 01868918c8cec5bc8773e98ae11a0f54     
adj. 分配的 动词allocate的过去式和过去分词
参考例句：
  • The Ford Foundation allocated millions of dollars for cancer research. 福特基金会拨款数百万美元用于癌症研究。
  • More funds will now be allocated to charitable organizations. 现在会拨更多的资金给慈善组织。
3 ration CAxzc     
n.定量(pl.)给养，口粮；vt.定量供应
参考例句：
  • The country cut the bread ration last year.那个国家去年削减面包配给量。
  • We have to ration the water.我们必须限量用水。
4 coupons 28882724d375042a7b19db1e976cb622     
n.礼券( coupon的名词复数 )；优惠券；订货单；参赛表
参考例句：
  • The company gives away free coupons for drinks or other items. 公司为饮料或其它项目发放免费赠券。 来自辞典例句
  • Do you have any coupons? 你们有优惠卡吗？ 来自英汉 - 翻译样例 - 口语
5 forefathers EsTzkE     
n.祖先，先人；祖先，祖宗( forefather的名词复数 )；列祖列宗；前人
参考例句：
  • They are the most precious cultural legacy our forefathers left. 它们是我们祖先留下来的最宝贵的文化遗产。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • All of us bristled at the lawyer's speech insulting our forefathers. 听到那个律师在讲演中污蔑我们的祖先，大家都气得怒发冲冠。 来自《简明英汉词典》
6 artistic IeWyG     
adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的
参考例句：
  • The picture on this screen is a good artistic work.这屏风上的画是件很好的艺术品。
  • These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.外国朋友很喜欢这些美术工艺品。
7 projector 9RCxt     
n.投影机，放映机，幻灯机
参考例句：
  • There is a new projector in my office.我的办公室里有一架新的幻灯机。
  • How long will it take to set up the projector?把这个放映机安放好需要多长时间？
8 influential l7oxK     
adj.有影响的，有权势的
参考例句：
  • He always tries to get in with the most influential people.他总是试图巴结最有影响的人物。
  • He is a very influential man in the government.他在政府中是个很有影响的人物。

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