EP22 | 中世紀的孩子到底是悲慘還是快樂？ | Were Medieval Children Miserable or Happy?

Descripción

提到中世紀，很多人都會想到戰爭、疾病、貧窮，還有殘酷的生活環境。因此，不少人認為中世紀的父母不太愛孩子，甚至覺得童年這個概念根本不存在。但真的是這樣嗎？這一集，Miss Y 帶你一起回到中世紀，看看孩子們真正的生活。從嬰兒照顧、教育、遊戲，到農村與城堡裡不同階級孩子的日常，我們會發現，中世紀的父母其實非常在意孩子，也會為孩子生病、死亡而感到悲傷。透過歷史證據與有趣的故事，我們一起重新認識真正的中世紀童年。 Did medieval parents really not love their children? In this episode, we explore the surprising reality of childhood in the Middle Ages. From baby care and education to games, family life, and social class, historians now believe medieval children were far more valued and cared for than many old stereotypes suggest. Leave a comment and share your thoughts: https://open.firstory.me/user/cmilgpemw00i201yvfrduavyf/comments [https://open.firstory.me/user/cmilgpemw00i201yvfrduavyf/comments] Transcript: Hey guys, I’m your English teacher, Miss Y! Welcome to the podcast made for intermediate English learners who want to listen to English, and learn about different topics in a fun and easy way. Recently, I came across an article about childhood in the Middle Ages (中世紀; 也可以說 medieval ages; medieval (adj) 中世紀的), and I have to say, I found it fascinating. I started reading it just out of curiosity, but the more I read, the more surprised I became. So today, I really want to share some of these ideas with you. Before reading it, I had a lot of stereotypes (刻板印象) about medieval life. I mean, when we think about the Middle Ages, we usually imagine a pretty cruel (殘忍) and difficult world. Castles, wars, disease, poverty… you know, all those dark images. And because life seemed so hard back then, I always imagined children probably didn’t have a very happy childhood like many children do today. Maybe you’ve heard similar ideas too. People often say that medieval parents didn’t become emotionally attached (依戀; 附著;黏著) to their children because so many children died young. Some people even describe medieval children as just “miniature adults.” (迷你版的成人) But actually, historians today say this picture is mostly wrong. So in this episode, we’re going to explore what childhood was really like in the Middle Ages. We’ll talk about how children lived, how parents treated them, what games they played, what school was like, and why modern historians are challenging these old stereotypes. And once you start looking at the evidence, medieval childhood begins to feel much more human and familiar than we might expect. So let’s get started. One of the biggest misunderstandings about medieval childhood comes from an old idea by a historian (歷史學家) named Philippe Ariès. He believed that people in the Middle Ages didn’t really see childhood as a special stage of life. According to him, children were basically treated like small adults. Part of this idea came from medieval paintings. In many artworks, children wear clothes that look very similar to adult clothes. So people looked at these paintings and thought, “Oh, medieval society probably didn’t think children were different from adults.” But modern historians say the situation is much more complicated than that. When researchers started studying medieval law, education, medicine, literature, and art more carefully, they found a lot of evidence showing that medieval people absolutely understood that children were different from adults. For example, medieval writers divided life into different stages. They talked about infancy, childhood, and adolescence. infancy (嬰兒時期), childhood (童年時期), and adolescence (青少年時期). So they clearly understood that children developed step by step as they grew older. And medieval artwork also shows many scenes of childhood life. We can see babies learning to walk, children playing games, students sitting in schools, young people learning jobs, and parents taking care of their children. So children were not invisible at all. Actually, they appeared everywhere in medieval culture. And here’s another important point. Medieval parents really did care about their children emotionally. Now, of course, life was hard back then. Infant mortality was extremely high. Infant mortality means the rate for a baby to die before they reach childhood (嬰兒死亡率). Historians believe that in some periods, about one-third of children died before the age of five. One-third of children (三分之一)! That’s a shocking number for us today. Right? People had no antibiotics (抗生素), no vaccines (疫苗), and very limited medical knowledge. Even simple illnesses could become deadly. Fires, accidents, poor nutrition, and disease were constant dangers. But modern historians say high child mortality does not mean parents didn’t love their children. Actually, historical evidence shows the opposite. Parents prayed constantly for healthy births. Mothers asked the Virgin Mary (聖母瑪麗亞) for protection during pregnancy and childbirth. Families spent time and money trying to heal sick children. Some parents even traveled on long religious pilgrimages (朝聖之旅) because they hoped for miracles And when children died, medieval texts often describe deep sadness. So no, medieval parents were not cold or emotionally distant (有距離的; 疏離的). They lived in a dangerous world, but they still loved their children very much. Let’s talk a little about infancy (the period of being a baby). Being a baby in the Middle Ages was honestly pretty risky. The first years of life were the most dangerous. One thing medieval people commonly did was swaddling babies. This means wrapping babies tightly in a cloth. Today, this might look uncomfortable to us. But medieval people believed wrapping their baby tight could protect babies and help their bodies grow correctly. In medieval paintings, we often see babies wrapped very carefully and carried gently by adults. Breastfeeding (餵母乳) was also extremely important. People believed breast milk was not only healthy but also emotionally and spiritually (心靈方面) important. If a mother could not breastfeed, families sometimes hired a wet nurse. A wet nurse means another woman who breastfed the baby. And actually, babies who did not receive breast milk often had a much lower chance of survival because other feeding methods were not very clean or safe. Now here’s another stereotype people often believe: that infanticide, meaning killing babies, was common in medieval Europe. But historians say there is very little evidence for this idea. Yes, terrible cases existed sometimes. But medieval Christian society strongly condemned (譴責) hurting babies. It was considered both a crime and a serious sin (罪). Court records from the Middle Ages show surprisingly few cases, and when it happened, people reacted very strongly against it. So again, this challenges the old stereotype that medieval people didn’t value children. It’s good to know medieval people were not ruthless monsters, right? Haha. Now, as children grew older, medieval society expected them to slowly learn adult skills and responsibilities. Childhood was seen as a period of training and preparation. One important moment was learning to walk. Medieval art even shows early versions of baby walkers. Education depended a lot on social class (階級). For peasant children, children who are born in farmer’s family, learning usually meant helping with farming and housework. They learned by watching adults and joining daily work little by little. In towns and cities, many children became apprentices (學徒). Sometimes children as young as eight years old started learning trades like cooking, blacksmithing (打鐵), or carpentry (木工). And noble (貴族的) children had very different lives. Young noble boys were trained to become knights (騎士) and future leaders. They learned horseback riding, hunting, fighting, and court manners. Girls in noble families learned religion, household management, social etiquette (社交禮儀), and sometimes reading and writing too. And schools did exist in the Middle Ages, by the way. That surprises some people. After the time around 800 A.D., schools became more common in towns. Children learned reading, writing, religion, and sometimes Latin (拉丁文). Medieval artwork sometimes shows the idea that schools and education helps people climb higher toward knowledge. Now, something really important to remember is this: there was no single “medieval childhood.” A child’s life depended heavily on where they were born and what social class they belonged to. Most medieval people lived in the countryside, so let’s start there. Children from farmer’s family often worked from a young age. Around ten years old, boys might already help with works in the fields or taking care of animals. But their childhood was not only work. Medieval writers describe children running through fields, climbing trees, exploring vineyards, chasing animals, and playing outdoors with friends. Honestly, some parts sound very familiar even today. Now, city life was very different. Medieval cities were crowded, noisy, and full of activity. Children often worked in workshops (工作枋) beside adult craftsmen. And after the Black Death (黑死病) in 1348, city life became even harder. Many children suffered from hunger, disease, and poverty. Some became beggars (乞丐). But cities also gave children opportunities for fun and freedom. Historical images show children swimming in streams, watching street performers, playing games in public squares, and running around with groups of friends. So medieval cities were not only places of suffering. They were also lively social spaces. And then we have noble childhood inside castles. This is probably the version of medieval childhood people imagine most often. Young noble boys trained for being a knight. They learned to serve the nobles, learned military skills and social manners. But castle life was not serious all the time. Some medieval images show noble children playing with pets or small monkeys, which were apparently fashionable among nobles at the time. So even children preparing for war and leadership still had moments of play and fun. Now let’s move into daily life a little more. What kind of clothes did children wear? What about the colors of their clothes? Are you curious? Do medieval children also wear baby blue or baby pink like children nowadays? Actually, there are two popular colors for them — red and green. Red was believed to protect them from disease, while green was connected with youth and springtime. And what did the children eat? Did they eat like adults? Babies drank breast milk first, then slowly moved to soft foods like porridge, bread, eggs, and cooked fruit. And yes, this part surprises modern people: medieval caregivers sometimes gave children small amounts of heated wine (葡萄酒) because they believed it could help with stomach problems. Can you imagine if that happened now, how would people react to it? So different, right? As children got older, they slowly joined normal family meals and even large feasts. And of course, children played games. Actually, medieval childhood included a lot more play than people often imagine. Children played with balls, dolls, toy boats, hobby horses, and miniature tools. Many games copied adult activities. Children pretended to farm, fight battles, or run businesses. It’s like playing house (扮家家酒), just like what our children do nowadays. So childhood was not a small or unimportant subject in medieval culture. It was everywhere — in religion, literature, art, education, and family life. So, what can we conclude from all this? Well, medieval childhood was definitely hard. Children faced disease, dangerous work, hunger, and high mortality. Life was uncertain. But the old stereotype — the idea that medieval parents did not love their children or that childhood did not exist — simply does not match the evidence. Historical records show parents caring for children, protecting them, teaching them, praying for them, and grieving when they died. Children played, learned, grew, made friends, and slowly entered adult society step by step. In many ways, medieval childhood was very different from modern childhood. But emotionally? Humanly? Honestly, it may not have been as different as we sometimes imagine. And I think that’s what makes history so interesting. The more closely we look at the past, the more real the people start to feel. Alright, that’s it for today. I’m Miss Y, and I really hope you enjoyed learning English with me today. If you liked this episode, come back next time for another fun 15 to 20 minutes of simple, clear English and a brand-new topic to explore. Stay curious, and keep learning about the world in simple English. Powered by Firstory Hosting [https://firstory.me/zh]

EP26 | 40°C的歐洲如何改變人們的生活？| Europe Is Baking! How People Are Surviving the 2026 Heatwave

2026年夏天，歐洲再次遭遇嚴重熱浪，西班牙、法國、義大利、葡萄牙和希臘等地氣溫突破40°C。更令人驚訝的是，許多歐洲家庭、咖啡店、超市甚至理髮店都沒有冷氣！這一集，Miss Y分享自己住在法國時「熱到無處可逃」的親身經驗，帶你了解今年歐洲熱浪的成因、各國如何因應、居民與觀光客如何調整生活。 Europe is experiencing another intense heatwave in 2026, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in several countries. In this episode, Miss Y shares her personal experience living in France without air conditioning, explains why Europe is getting hotter, how people and cities are adapting, and offers practical travel ideas for visiting Europe this summer. Learn English with Miss Y: https://pse.is/95qltt [https://pse.is/95qltt] Leave a comment and share your thoughts: https://open.firstory.me/user/cmilgpemw00i201yvfrduavyf/comments [https://open.firstory.me/user/cmilgpemw00i201yvfrduavyf/comments] Transcript: Hey guys, I’m your English teacher, Miss Y! Welcome to the podcast made for intermediate English learners who want to listen to English, and learn about different topics in a fun and easy way. Let me ask you a question. Could you imagine living through summer without air conditioning (空調系統) ? Now, if you're listening in Taiwan, or maybe somewhere else in Asia, your first reaction is probably, "No way!" Air conditioning is almost part of our daily life. We use it at home, in restaurants, shopping malls, convenience stores, coffee shops, and even when we take the MRT or a bus. If the weather is hot, we simply go inside and cool down. But things are very different in many parts of Europe. I learned this myself last summer when I was living in France in 2025. Honestly, before I moved there, I thought, "Europe gets hot too, but people say it's not humid. It should be okay." Well...I was wrong. One afternoon, my apartment became so hot that I couldn't concentrate on anything. The windows were open, but there wasn't much wind. The walls felt warm, the floor felt warm, and even sitting still made me sweat. I thought, "No problem. I'll just walk to a coffee shop and enjoy the air conditioning." That's exactly what we would do in Taiwan. But after walking for several minutes, I realized something surprising. The coffee shop didn't have air conditioning. Then I went to a small grocery store. No air conditioning. A bakery. No air conditioning. Even my hair salon didn't have air conditioning. At that moment, I suddenly understood something that many Europeans have known for years. When your home is hot, there may be almost nowhere nearby where you can escape the heat. It sounds unbelievable if you've grown up in Asia. You feel tired. You feel sticky. You want to cool down. But every place feels almost the same temperature. I remember thinking, "So...where do people go?" The answer was...many people simply stayed home, opened every window at night, closed the curtains during the day, drank lots of water, and hoped the weather would become cooler. It felt a little hopeless. Of course, not every building in Europe is like this. Some hotels, office buildings, hospitals, and modern shopping centers have air conditioning. But in many homes, cafés, restaurants, and neighborhood stores, especially in countries like France, Germany, or the Netherlands, air conditioning is still much less common than it is in Taiwan. For many years, people simply didn't need it very often. Europe's climate was usually much milder (mild, 溫和). But recently, that has started to change. And this summer, in 2026, Europe is once again facing another dangerous heatwave (熱浪). You've probably seen photos online. Tourists carrying umbrellas under a bright blue sky. People cooling themselves with handheld fans. Streets that look almost empty in the middle of the afternoon because it's simply too hot to walk outside. So what exactly is happening? Let's find out. The summer of 2026 has brought one of the first major heatwaves of the season to southern and western Europe. Countries like Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Greece have all experienced extremely high temperatures, while the heat has gradually spread farther north. In several places, temperatures have climbed above 40 degrees Celsius. If you're from Taiwan, forty degrees may not sound impossible. Taiwan sometimes reaches that temperature too. But there's one important difference. Many European homes were never designed for this kind of weather. Most apartments don't have air conditioning. Many older buildings were built to keep people warm during cold winters, not cool during long periods of extreme heat. That means the temperature inside a home can stay high for many hours, even after the sun goes down. According to Reuters, weather agencies across Europe issued heat warnings as temperatures climbed close to or above historical averages for late June. Hospitals prepared for more patients suffering from dehydration (脫水) and heat exhaustion (熱衰竭), while emergency services asked people to stay indoors during the hottest hours of the day. Meteorologists (氣象學家) say one of the biggest reasons is something called a "heat dome." Don't worry. It sounds complicated, but the idea is actually quite simple. Imagine putting a giant lid (蓋子罩子) over part of Europe. That lid traps hot air underneath it. Normally, weather systems move around and bring cooler air from the Atlantic Ocean. But during a heat dome, the atmosphere becomes almost stuck. The hot air cannot escape easily, so temperatures continue to rise day after day. Another weather pattern, sometimes called an omega block because it looks like the Greek letter Omega on weather maps, also helped keep the hot air in place. This meant sunshine almost every day, very little rain, and extremely high temperatures across many countries. Scientists also explained that while heatwaves have always happened naturally, climate change is making them more frequent, more intense and longer lasting. In other words, heatwaves themselves are not new. But what is changing is how often they happen and how hot they become. Researchers say that today's temperatures are happening in a warmer world than they did decades ago. Because the Earth's average temperature has increased, every heatwave now begins from a higher starting point. Think about climbing a mountain. If you begin your hike halfway up the mountain instead of at the bottom, you'll reach the top much faster. Climate change works in a similar way. The atmosphere is already warmer than before, so when a heatwave arrives, temperatures can climb to much higher levels. That is one reason scientists are paying much closer attention to these events. Another interesting thing is that the heat doesn't affect every country in the same way. Spain and Portugal are already used to hot summers, but even there, temperatures this year reached levels that caused health warnings. France activated emergency plans in several regions. Italy warned people to avoid outdoor activities during the afternoon. In Greece, firefighters stayed on high alert because extremely hot and dry weather increases the risk of wildfires. Even countries farther north, where people are less used to extreme heat, began preparing for unusually high temperatures. One thing that really surprised me while reading all these reports was that Europeans don't only worry about feeling uncomfortable. They worry because heat can actually become dangerous. Doctors say older adults, babies, pregnant women and people with heart or lung diseases are especially vulnerable (脆弱). Even healthy people can suffer from heat exhaustion or heatstroke (中暑) if they spend too much time outside without enough water. That's why governments across Europe kept reminding people to drink water, avoid direct sunlight during the afternoon, and check on elderly family members and neighbors. For many Europeans, these heatwaves are no longer unusual news. Instead, they are becoming something people expect almost every summer. And that's a very big change from twenty or thirty years ago. So what happens when a whole continent becomes this hot? Well, life doesn't stop. People still have to go to work. Children still have summer vacation. Tourists still want to visit famous places. But everyone has to change the way they live. One thing I noticed while reading reports from the news was that many Europeans no longer treat a heatwave as something unusual. Instead, they treat it almost like preparing for a snowstorm. They know they need a different daily routine. Instead of going outside in the afternoon, many people now wake up much earlier. Construction workers may begin working at six or seven in the morning, before the strongest sunshine arrives. People go jogging before breakfast instead of after work. Some even walk their dogs before sunrise because the sidewalks become too hot later in the day. By lunchtime, many streets become much quieter. If you've ever visited Europe, you probably remember seeing people sitting outside cafés in the afternoon, drinking coffee or chatting with friends. During a heatwave, that picture changes completely. Instead of sitting outside, people hide indoors. Many restaurants and cafés pull down their sunshades, and customers look for the coolest table they can find. But remember what I told you earlier. Many cafés don't actually have air conditioning. So people simply look for shade and drink plenty of cold water. Some cities have also created something called cooling centers, or climate shelters. These are public buildings where anyone can go if they need a cooler place to rest. For example, libraries, museums, community centers and public buildings may open their doors during extreme heat. Some cities even publish maps showing people where these cooling centers are located. That's especially important for older adults who may live alone in apartments without air conditioning. In fact, protecting elderly people has become one of the biggest concerns. Heat doesn't affect everyone equally. Young, healthy adults might feel uncomfortable, but older people are much more likely to become seriously ill. That's why some local governments ask volunteers to call elderly residents every day during a heatwave. The phone call is very simple. "Hello, are you okay?" "Have you been drinking enough water?" "Do you need any help?" I think that's actually a wonderful idea. Sometimes a two-minute phone call can save someone's life. Hospitals also become much busier. Doctors treat more patients suffering from dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Emergency rooms in several countries prepared for an increase in heat-related illnesses as temperatures continued to rise. Another group that has to adapt is outdoor workers. Imagine repairing roads under a temperature of forty degrees. Or delivering packages all afternoon. Or working on a construction site with almost no shade (陰涼處). Some companies have started changing work schedules. Instead of working through the hottest hours, employees may start before sunrise, take longer breaks in the afternoon, or finish work earlier in the day. Some employers also provide extra drinking water, shaded rest areas and more frequent breaks. Of course, not everyone can work from home. But for office workers, some companies encourage remote work during the hottest days. That reduces travel and helps people stay somewhere cooler. Now let's talk about something many of us love. Travel. Summer is usually the busiest tourist season in Europe. Millions of people fly there every year to visit places like Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Athens and Lisbon. But this year, many tourists arrived and immediately realized one thing. "This is much hotter than I expected." Some reporters interviewed visitors from different countries who described carrying portable (可攜帶的) electric fans everywhere they went. Some tourists wore white or light-colored clothing to reflect the sunlight. Others carried umbrellas, not because it was raining, but because they wanted portable shade. It almost looked as if everyone had developed their own little survival kit. A bottle of water. A hat. Sunglasses. A handheld fan. And maybe a small towel to wipe away the sweat. Tourists also started changing their schedules. Instead of visiting famous attractions at two o'clock in the afternoon, many people woke up early. They might arrive at the Eiffel Tower just after breakfast. Or visit the Colosseum before the strongest sunshine. Then, during the afternoon, they would relax inside a museum, enjoy a long lunch, or return to their hotel for a few hours. When the sun became lower in the evening, they would go back outside. Actually, that's not a bad way to travel. You avoid the hottest weather, and you often avoid the biggest crowds too. One thing I found interesting was that despite all these challenges, most tourists didn't cancel their vacations. Instead, they adapted (適應). They slowed down. They rested more. They drank more water. They accepted that maybe they couldn't see ten attractions in one day. And honestly, maybe that's a healthier way to travel anyway. Sometimes we rush so much during a vacation that we forget to enjoy the place we're visiting. The 2026 heatwave reminded many travelers that it's okay to sit under a tree for half an hour, enjoy a cold drink, and simply watch the world go by. Of course, governments are also thinking about the future. Because if these heatwaves continue happening every summer, Europe cannot simply hope for cooler weather. Cities are planting more trees because trees provide natural shade and help lower temperatures. Some streets are being redesigned with more green spaces. New buildings are being built with better insulation (隔熱) to keep homes cooler. Architects are also exploring ways to reduce heat without depending entirely on air conditioning, because air conditioners use a lot of electricity. Electricity is very expensive in Europe, much more expensive than in Asia. So Europe faces a difficult challenge. People need to stay cool today. But they also need to prepare for even hotter summers in the future. And that balance won't be easy. As I read all these reports, I kept thinking back to my own experience in France last summer. At the time, I thought, "Why doesn't everyone just install air conditioning?" Now I realize the answer is much more complicated. Installing air conditioning in millions of older buildings is expensive. Some apartment buildings have strict rules about changing their appearance. Electricity systems would also need to handle much greater demand during the summer. So instead of depending on one solution, Europe is trying many different solutions at the same time. Some are changing city design. Some are changing work schedules. Some are changing daily habits. And perhaps most importantly, people are beginning to accept that extreme heat is no longer a rare event. It is becoming part of everyday life. # So, after hearing all this, you might be wondering one thing. "What if I'm planning to visit Europe this summer?" Should you cancel your trip? Personally, I don't think so. The answer is not, "Don't go." The answer is, "Go, but be prepared." The good news is that, according to Reuters and several European weather agencies, the most intense heat across parts of western Europe is expected to ease toward the end of June as cooler Atlantic air gradually moves in. That doesn't mean summer is over. July and August can still be very hot, especially in southern Europe. But the extreme temperatures that made international headlines this week are not expected to last forever. So if your trip is coming up soon, don't panic. Just plan a little differently. The first piece of advice is probably the simplest. Slow down. I know many of us travel with a very full schedule. Maybe you've saved money for years to visit Europe. Maybe you only have seven or ten days. So you want to visit five countries, fifteen museums, twenty famous attractions, and take hundreds of photos. I understand that feeling. I've been there too. But during a heatwave, trying to do everything can actually make your vacation less enjoyable. Instead, give yourself permission to slow down. Visit one or two attractions in the morning. Take a long lunch. Spend the hottest hours inside a museum or back at your hotel. Then go out again after dinner. In many European cities, the evenings are beautiful. The streets become lively again. Families come outside. People sit in parks. Restaurants fill with conversation. Sometimes the city feels even more magical after the sun begins to set. Another important tip is something many people forget. Drink water before you feel thirsty. By the time you feel thirsty, your body may already be getting dehydrated (缺水脫水). Carry a reusable water bottle whenever you go sightseeing. Luckily, many European cities have public drinking fountains where you can refill your bottle for free. That can save both money and plastic. Next, think carefully about your clothing. Dark colors absorb more heat. Heavy fabrics make you sweat more. Loose, light-colored clothes are usually much more comfortable. A hat is also a great idea. And honestly, after reading so many news reports, I think portable electric fans deserve an award. It seemed like tourists everywhere were carrying one. Small, rechargeable fans have become one of the most popular travel accessories during European summers. Another thing to remember is that Europe may not cool you down the way Taiwan does. In Taiwan, if you feel hot, you can simply walk into almost any convenience store or coffee shop. The air conditioning is usually waiting for you. In many parts of Europe, that may not happen. Some cafés have fans. Some rely only on open windows. Some hotels may have air conditioning, but many smaller hotels or older buildings may not. So before you book your accommodation (住宿), check carefully. If having air conditioning is important to you, read the hotel description and reviews. Don't simply assume it will be there. Now, if you plan to visit famous attractions, here's another suggestion. Go early. Very early. I know waking up at six o'clock during a vacation doesn't sound very exciting. But trust me. Walking through a quiet European street early in the morning is actually a wonderful experience. The air is cooler. The light is beautiful. There are fewer crowds. And you'll probably enjoy the experience much more than standing under the afternoon sun with thousands of other tourists. One more thing I'd like to mention is this. Please don't underestimate the weather just because Europe has traditionally had a cooler climate. Many visitors still think, "Europe isn't tropical. I'll be fine." But temperatures above forty degrees Celsius can be dangerous anywhere in the world. Listen to local advice. If authorities tell people to avoid outdoor activities during the afternoon, they're not trying to ruin your vacation. They're trying to keep everyone safe. Sometimes the smartest travel decision is simply to sit inside with a cold drink for two hours. Your body will thank you later. You know, as I was preparing this episode, I kept thinking about how quickly our world is changing. When I was younger, Europe was famous for many things. Beautiful castles. Historic cities. Amazing museums. Fresh bread. Outdoor cafés. Comfortable summer weather. Today, people are also talking about heatwaves. That doesn't mean Europe isn't worth visiting anymore. Not at all. It's still one of my favorite places in the world. But it does mean travelers need to prepare differently than they did twenty years ago. And honestly, local people are learning the same lesson. Many Europeans are changing their daily habits. Cities are planting more trees. Governments are opening cooling centers. Scientists continue studying how climate change affects extreme weather. Everyone is trying to adapt. In some ways, this reminds us that humans are actually very good at adapting. When life changes, we change too. Maybe we wake up earlier. Maybe we build different houses. Maybe we redesign our cities. Maybe we simply remember to carry a bottle of water and a small fan. Sometimes adaptation starts with very small changes. Before we finish today's episode, I'd like to leave you with a few questions. If you were planning a vacation during a heatwave, would you still go, or would you choose another destination? And if you've ever experienced an extreme heatwave yourself, tell me your story. How did you stay cool? Did anything surprise you? You can leave a comment or send me a message. I always enjoy hearing from listeners around the world. Thank you so much for listening today. I’m Miss Y, and I really hope you enjoyed learning English with me today. If you liked this episode, come back next time for another fun 15 to 20 minutes of simple, clear English and a brand-new topic to explore. Stay curious, and keep learning about the world in simple English. Powered by Firstory Hosting [https://firstory.me/zh]

29 de jun de 202623 min

EP25 | 世界盃現場直擊：球迷的熱情與城市的考驗 | Inside the World Cup: Fan Passion and the Cities That Host It

2026年世界盃是史上規模最大的世界盃，由美國、加拿大和墨西哥共同主辦。來自世界各地的球迷為了支持自己喜愛的球隊，不惜花費數千美元、跨越大半個地球前往現場觀賽。但當數百萬名遊客同時湧入城市時，交通、安全、住宿以及極端高溫等問題又該如何解決呢？本集 Miss Y 帶你認識來自克羅埃西亞、美國、蘇格蘭和德國的世界盃球迷故事，也一起看看主辦城市如何準備交通運輸、安全措施與高溫應變計畫，迎接這場全球最大的足球盛會。 The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the biggest World Cup ever. Fans are spending thousands of dollars and traveling across the world to support their teams. In this episode, we'll explore real fan stories and discover how host cities are preparing transportation, security, and heat-response plans for millions of visitors. Learn English with Miss Y: https://pse.is/95qltt [https://pse.is/95qltt] Leave a comment and share your thoughts: https://open.firstory.me/user/cmilgpemw00i201yvfrduavyf/comments [https://open.firstory.me/user/cmilgpemw00i201yvfrduavyf/comments] Transcript: Hey guys, I’m your English teacher, Miss Y! Welcome to the podcast made for intermediate English learners who want to listen to English, and learn about different topics in a fun and easy way. Today we're talking about something very exciting. The FIFA World Cup. Now, even if you're not a huge football fan, you've probably heard of the World Cup (世界盃足球賽). It's one of the biggest sporting events in the world. In fact, billions of people watch it. This year, for the first time ever, the World Cup takes place in three countries. The three countries host it together: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Sounds exciting, right? Have you ever wonder what it's really like to attend (參加) a World Cup? Why some fans are willing to spend thousands of dollars just to watch a match? And with millions of fans visiting the cities at the same time, how are those cities preparing for this challenge? Let's jump in. One thing many people don't realize is that the 2026 World Cup is expected to be the most expensive World Cup in history. Ticket prices for some matches can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. And that's only the ticket. You still need to pay for flights, hotels, transportation, food, and maybe a few souvenirs. When people first saw the prices, many worried that ordinary fans would not be able to afford it. Some people even wondered if stadiums (體育館) would end up half empty. But something interesting happened. The stadiums are full. Fans still come. And many of them made huge sacrifices (犧牲) to be there. For some people, watching their national team at the World Cup is a dream they've had for years. I read an article on BBC News written by reporter Eva Sandoval. She shared some fans’ experiences attending the World Cup, which I found very interesting, and I want to share them with you. There is a group of Croatian (克羅埃西亞的) fans, for example. These guys are not casual (隨便的；隨意的) fans. They follow Croatia everywhere. And when I say everywhere, I really mean everywhere. They attend every Croatia national team match. Over the years, they have become so familiar that some Croatian players actually recognize them. Can you imagine that? You're such a loyal fan that the players know who you are. When Croatia qualified for the World Cup, there was no question about whether they would go. Of course they would. The only question was how. Luckily, because of their fan club membership, they were able to get tickets at a much lower price than many other people. So they planned a 35-day journey through Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Thirty-five days! That's more than a vacation. That's basically a football adventure. What's funny is that they booked flights to Mexico City before they even knew where Croatia would play. That's confidence. Or maybe that's a little bit crazy. Probably both. But for them, the World Cup is about sharing experiences with friends, meeting people from different countries, singing, celebrating, and creating memories together. One fan said the atmosphere before the opening match felt magical. People were singing in the streets. Fans from different countries were taking photos together. There was music, excitement, and energy everywhere. And honestly, that's one of the special things about the World Cup. For a few weeks, people from all over the world gather in one place and share the same excitement. Now let's move to another group. This story comes from the United States. Four childhood friends decided to meet in Los Angeles to watch the U.S. national team play. These friends grew up together. When they were younger, they used to watch World Cup matches before school. Years later, they live in different parts of America. One is in New York, another in Arizona, another in California. Life gets busy. People move away. But football brought them together again. Now here's the shocking part. They bought premium seats. Premium seats means the seats are better, closer to the field, and of course much more expensive. Premium (頂級的；高級的). And each ticket cost more than two thousand seven hundred dollars. Yes. For one match. Two thousand seven hundred dollars? That’s about eighty-five thousand Taiwanese dollars! That's enough money for a vacation in many countries. The fans admitted it was incredibly expensive. In fact, one of them criticized FIFA for using dynamic pricing. Dynamic pricing means prices go up when demand increases. Dynamic (動態的). It's the same thing airlines often do. If more people want something, the price gets higher. The fans felt that this system makes football less accessible (容易得到的；容易接近的) to ordinary people. After all, football has traditionally been a sport for everyone, not just wealthy people. Still, despite the cost, they didn't regret going. Why? Because the experience wasn't really about the seat. It was about sharing the moment with lifelong friends. One fan said something that I really liked. He said that the premium experience came from being with his friends, not from the expensive ticket. I think that's true for many things in life. Sometimes the people you're with matter more than the thing you're doing. Now let's travel across the Atlantic Ocean and meet some Scottish (蘇格蘭的) fans. Their story is very different. Unlike the Americans who spent thousands of dollars, these Scottish fans tried to save every dollar possible. Scotland had not qualified for a World Cup since 1998. Think about that. Twenty-eight years. That's a very long wait. For many Scottish fans, this was their first chance in decades to see their team play in the World Cup. So they had to go. The problem was money. They didn't have huge budgets. So they became very creative. They used airline reward points (回饋點數). They shared hotel rooms. They stayed with friends whenever possible. Basically, they looked for every possible way to reduce costs. And guess what? It worked. When Scotland finally scored its first World Cup goal in twenty-eight years, the fans said it was a moment they would never forget. All the planning, all the saving, all the long flights—it was worth it. And I think that's a common theme in all these stories. The memories last longer than the money. Of course, not everyone travels only for football. One German couple had already planned a honeymoon in North America. Then they realized something. Wait a second. The World Cup will be happening at the same time. So they added a football match to their honeymoon. Not a bad idea, right? Imagine telling your future children, “We watched the World Cup during our honeymoon.” That's a pretty cool story. The couple managed to get relatively affordable (可負擔的) tickets through a German supporters' club. While they were surprised by some things—like paying almost twenty dollars for a beer—they loved the atmosphere. What impressed them most was the friendliness. Fans from different countries were talking together, taking photos together, and celebrating together. By the end of the trip, they felt the experience was even better than they had expected. So that's the fan side of the World Cup. But now let's switch perspectives (視角). Because if millions of people suddenly arrive in your city, somebody has to prepare for them. And that's where things get really interesting. Because hosting a World Cup is not as simple as opening a stadium and selling tickets. Think about it for a moment. Millions of people are coming from all over the world. They need places to stay. They need food. They need transportation. They need information. And most importantly, they need to get to the stadium on time. Now imagine what happens when tens of thousands of people all want to go to the same place at the same time. It sounds like a traffic nightmare, right? Well, that's exactly what many host cities are trying to avoid. Let's take Atlanta as an example. Atlanta is one of the host cities in the United States for the 2026 World Cup. The city expects huge crowds, and officials know that if everyone decides to drive to the stadium, things could become chaotic (災難性的) very quickly. So city planners are encouraging fans to use public transportation instead. Atlanta's public transportation system is called MARTA. Right now, MARTA is preparing for what could be the busiest weeks in its history. Train stations will be packed with fans wearing jerseys (球衣) from every corner of the world. People speaking different languages. Families carrying flags. Groups of friends singing football songs. It's going to be exciting, but it also needs to be organized. To handle the crowds, MARTA plans to run trains more frequently. Instead of waiting a long time between trains, fans will be able to move through the city more smoothly. The goal is simple. Get people to the stadium quickly and safely. Transportation can have a huge effect on a fan's experience. Imagine you spend thousands of dollars on a World Cup trip. You wake up excited. You put on your team's jersey. You grab your flag. And then you get stuck in traffic for three hours. Not exactly the dream experience. That's why transportation planning matters so much. But transportation is only part of the challenge. Cities also need to think about safety. Whenever a major international event takes place, security becomes a huge priority (優先事項). After all, millions of visitors are arriving. Large crowds gather in stadiums, train stations, fan zones, restaurants, and public squares. Officials need to make sure everyone feels safe. In Atlanta, security teams have been working closely with transportation authorities (當局). There will be additional police officers. More security checks. More monitoring systems. And faster communication between different agencies. The idea is not to make visitors nervous. It's actually the opposite. When security is well organized, most people don't even notice it. They simply enjoy the event and feel comfortable. That's really the goal. Now, something else many people don't think about is that the World Cup isn't only happening inside stadiums. In many cities, huge fan zones will be set up. These are public spaces where people can watch matches on giant screens. Sometimes thousands of fans gather together to watch games there. And here's the funny thing. Many people don't even have tickets to the match. They're just there to enjoy the atmosphere. And honestly, that's part of the magic. You might find yourself cheering for a country you've never visited. You might make friends with someone from another continent (洲). You might learn a few words in another language. The World Cup has a way of bringing strangers together. Of course, there's another challenge that cities cannot completely control. The weather. You've probably heard that experts are worried about extreme heat during the 2026 World Cup. Many of the matches take place in June and July. And some host cities can become very hot during the summer. Researchers have warned that several host cities face a high risk of extreme heat. That creates problems for players, fans, and workers. Imagine sitting outside in the sun for several hours. Maybe you're wearing a football jersey. Maybe you're waving a flag. Maybe you're jumping up and down every time your team attacks. That can be exhausting in very hot weather. Because of this, many cities are preparing cooling stations where people can rest and cool down. Some locations will provide misting fans. Others will create shaded areas. Medical teams will also be ready to help people who experience heat-related illnesses. Kansas City is one example. Kansas City is another city in the United States that will host World Cup games. Local organizers have created special heat-response plans. They want visitors to know how to stay safe, drink enough water, and recognize signs of heat exhaustion (衰竭). Some cities are even considering sending notifications to visitors' phones with weather updates and safety advice. It's kind of like having a local guide in your pocket. And heat isn't the only concern. In some parts of North America, wildfires (森林大火) have become more common in recent years. Sometimes wildfire smoke can affect air quality for days. Even cities in Canada, like Vancouver and Toronto, have experienced air quality warnings. If conditions become dangerous, organizers may need to delay matches or make changes to schedules. Now, hopefully, none of that happens. But the fact that cities are already preparing shows how seriously they are taking these risks. At this point, you might be wondering something. With expensive tickets, long flights, transportation challenges, security checks, possible weather problems, and crowded cities... why do people still go? That's actually my favorite part of this story. Because when you listen to the fans, almost nobody talks mainly about the money. Instead, they talk about memories. They talk about friendships. They talk about experiences. The Croatian fans talked about traveling together. The American friends talked about reconnecting after years apart. The Scottish supporters talked about finally seeing their country return to the World Cup. The German couple talked about sharing the experience during their honeymoon. In every story, football was important. But it wasn't the only thing. I think the magic is watching a game live in a stadium. And the World Cup gave people a reason to do so. A reason to travel, gather, and celebrate. And maybe that's why people continue to come, even when the prices seem crazy. Because some experiences cannot be measured only in dollars. Years from now, most people probably won't remember exactly how much they spent. But they'll remember the goal (進球) that made the stadium explode with excitement. They'll remember singing with thousands of strangers. They'll remember the friendships, the adventures, and the stories they brought home. And I think that's what makes the World Cup special. This football tournament is one of the few events that can bring together people from nearly every corner of the planet and make them feel like they're part of something bigger. So whether you're a football fan or not, the 2026 World Cup will be fascinating to watch. Are you watching the World Cup these days? Join millions of people and see them coming together for one shared experience! And that's all for today's episode. I’m Miss Y, and I really hope you enjoyed learning English with me today. If you liked this episode, come back next time for another fun 15 to 20 minutes of simple, clear English and a brand-new topic to explore. Stay curious, and keep learning about the world in simple English. Bye! 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