Why I Stopped Rushing and Started Slow Travel

Full script

Read the whole talk.

All slides in one place. Read it through once, then practice slide by slide.

1. 01Why I Stopped Rushing and Started Slow Travel

   Good evening, everyone. I'm a sixty-five-year-old retired engineer from Canada, and I've been traveling for most of my life. Tonight, I'd like to recommend something that changed how I see the world: slow travel.

   大家晚上好。我是一名来自加拿大的退休工程师，今年六十五岁，这辈子大部分时间都在旅行。今晚，我想向大家推荐一样改变了我看世界方式的东西：慢旅行。

2. 02How I Used to Travel

   For years, I traveled like many people do. I'd try to see five cities in ten days, spending more time on trains and in lines than actually enjoying the places.

   很多年来，我和许多人一样旅行。我总想在十天里玩五座城市，结果花在火车上和排队上的时间，比真正享受这些地方的时间还多。

3. 03What Is Slow Travel?

   Slow travel means the opposite. You stay in one place for a week or more, rent a small apartment, shop at the local market, and let the days unfold without a strict plan.

   慢旅行正好相反。你在一个地方待上一周或更久，租一间小公寓，去当地市场买东西，让日子自然展开，不必按严格的计划走。

4. 04Benefit 1: Real Connections

   The biggest benefit is connection. After a few days in a small Portuguese town, the baker knew my name, and a neighbor invited me to a family dinner. That never happened when I was rushing.

   最大的好处是人与人之间的联系。在葡萄牙的一个小镇住了几天后，面包师就记住了我的名字，一位邻居还邀请我去参加家庭晚餐。我匆匆赶路的时候，从来没有遇到过这样的事。

5. 05Benefit 2: Less Stress, Lower Costs

   Slow travel is also more relaxing and often cheaper. You buy fewer tickets, weekly rentals usually cost less per night, and you can cook some of your own meals.

   慢旅行也更放松，而且常常更便宜。你买的车票更少，按周租房通常每晚更便宜，你还可以自己做一些饭。

6. 06Admittedly, It's Not for Everyone

   Admittedly, slow travel isn't for everyone. It needs more time off, and you'll see fewer famous sights. But even on a short trip, you can choose two places instead of five.

   当然，慢旅行并不适合所有人。它需要更多的假期，而且你看到的著名景点会更少。不过，即使是短途旅行，你也可以选两个地方，而不是五个。

7. 07How to Try It

   If you'd like to try it, start small. Pick one base town, take short day trips from there, and leave at least one day completely free.

   如果你想试一试，就从小处开始。选一个小镇作为据点，从那里出发做短途一日游，并且至少留出一整天完全空着。

8. 08Conclusion

   In the end, travel isn't a race. When you see less, you often experience more. On your next trip, slow down, and let a place get to know you. Thank you.

   说到底，旅行不是比赛。看得少一些，往往体验得更多。下次旅行时，放慢脚步，让一个地方慢慢认识你。谢谢大家。