Task 2 · Listening · Variant 11

Peter: Hi, Mary! How were your holidays?

Mary: Hello, Peter! Hmm, let's say they could have been better.

Peter: Really? How come?

Mary: Everything started when I was late for my train to Warsaw. I spent hours in a traffic jam, and then a few more standing in queues at the check-in barriers at the station.

Peter: Wait, were you carrying anything illegal?

Mary: I sure wasn't. The terminal was so jammed that I could barely breathe, and it was located at the far end of the platform... Anyway, if you want to know if I made it — I didn't. The train departed and I was left standing at the platform. I had to pay twice as much to get a top bunk on the next one going to Warsaw through Berlin.

Peter: I hope that was the end of your troubles.

Mary: Are you kidding? That was just the beginning. I was going to meet my friends there, and they were responsible for our sleeping arrangements. The luxurious hotel they booked was not at all as grand as we expected. Our beds were not comfy, the paint was peeling off the ceiling now and then, and the bathroom was somewhat claustrophobic. Yet, shabby as it was, everything was spotless.

Peter: I suppose, you didn't spend a fortune on it, so you could have just grinned and borne it. I mean it's Warsaw after all! Did you at least go sightseeing?

Mary: We did, and that was the best part of the trip. We visited all the most touristic places: the historic Old Town, the Royal Castle, and many others.

Peter: That sounds fun! Did you spend a lot of time outdoors?

Mary: We didn't. The forecast wasn't that grim and we enjoyed the first couple of days, but then the weather deteriorated and stayed that way for the rest of the trip.

Peter: Oh, come on!

Mary: Rain was pouring down every time we were heading somewhere.

Peter: Such a pity. But it means that you spent a great deal of time indoors. Have you tried out some local delicacies?

Mary: Have you heard of Schnitzel?

Peter: Is it a kind of a pork chop, coated in egg and breadcrumbs, and fried in hot oil with onion?

Mary: It is. And it is often served with grated beetroot and mashed potatoes. It was undeniably delicious. And the portions were huge! We used to take one and share it between the three of us!

Peter: I thought there were four of you.

Mary: There were. But Astrid is vegetarian, so no pork for her.

Peter: I see. Well, at least you liked something!