Speaker 1
I love to read. I love animals. I am a really kind person. My mom is a doctor. My dad is a fireman.
Speaker 2
I have 3 children below the age of 9. I work as a librarian in the city. My name means grown up in german. I love playing the flute. I go to work by boat everyday.
Speaker 1
I am a reader. I have just finished Pachinko.  I have a dog named Wylie. I want kids some day. My mom is pediatrician. My pop is a fireman. I like to be outside.
Speaker 2
I'm a librarian. I like the classic books, but am currently reading some star wars novels. I have three kids. I like to be outside.  I commute by boat every day to work. I live in Amsterdam so there are a lot of canals.
Speaker 1
Hi: tell me something about yourself. I'm pretty nice.
Speaker 2
Well, I'm a librarian, so I'd like to think I'm pretty nice, too.
Speaker 1
I ', a reader, too. What's your favorite book?
Speaker 2
I like the classics, but am currently reading some star wars novels. You?
Speaker 1
Just finished pachinko. I have a dog named wylie.
Speaker 2
That's cool. No dogs here, but I have three kids.
Speaker 1
I want kids some day. My mom is pediatrician so, she's around kids all day.
Speaker 2
Kids are great, but having three of them is definitely a handful.
Speaker 1
My pop is a fireman, he's sleeping so I'm being quiet on the computer.
Speaker 2
That's an exciting job. What do you do for fun?
Speaker 1
I like to be outside but mom wants me in right now.
Speaker 2
I like to be outside, too. I'm lucky that I commute by boat every day to work.
Speaker 1
What do you do that you take a boat to work and not a car?
Speaker 2
I'm a librarian, but I live in amsterdam so there are a lot of canals.
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Speaker 1
I am a reader. I have just finished Pachinko.  I have a dog named Wylie. I want kids some day. My mom is pediatrician. My pop is a fireman. I like to be outside.
Speaker 2
I'm a librarian. I like the classic books, but am currently reading some star wars novels. I have three kids. I like to be outside.  I commute by boat every day to work. I live in Amsterdam so there are a lot of canals.
Speaker 1
Where do you plan to spend the vacation this year? Do your kids have any preferences?
Speaker 2
Our plan is to go to Greece!  I am so excited.  I will have a chance to visit so many of those historical places.  It's not Coruscant, but it's a place I've longed to visit.
Speaker 1
In elementary school, one of my teachers was obsessed with Greek mythology. She got to travel to Greece, and she met someone with the name "Persephone". Have you ever been to Greece before, or if this your first time?
Speaker 2
This will be my first time.  We were supposed to visit when I went to Rome three years ago, but it was a rough time in Greece and figured "discretion is the better part of valor.”  Do you like the Greek myths?  Who is your favorite? 
Speaker 1
I used to like them, but I don't remember them now. Hercules comes to mind, but that's mainly because of the Disney movie. I have a book on Greek Mythology. I'll have to dig that up. What about you? 
Speaker 2
I really love Athena. What a perfect goddess for a librarian.  She is known for her reason, wisdom, intelligence, and skill. Spring directly from Zeus' head and fully formed is such a wild story.  I love it.
Speaker 1
Doesn't she have fiery red hair, or am I thinking of someone else?
Speaker 2
Sometimes she is depicted with red, but I often see her with black hair.  You might be thinking of Aphrodite.  Either way, you can't go wrong with those strong women.
Speaker 1
Strong women! The world needs more of them, and there is no better time than the present.
Speaker 2
Oh yes!  I know just what you mean. Perhaps a "goddess" will rise from the ashes and show the world how important women are!  I always liked that there were 12 goddesses!  There is something to that number.
Speaker 1
I agree about the number 12, although my lucky number is 7. Do you have a lucky number?
Speaker 2
It might be obvious after I tell you.  It's three!  That's the number of kids I have, but I was also the third born in my family and it was the uniform number when I played handball! 
3 days
Speaker 1
I am a reader. I have just finished Pachinko.  I have a dog named Wylie. I want kids some day. My mom is pediatrician. My pop is a fireman. I like to be outside. I used to enjoy Greek mythology but have forgotten much of what I learned. I am a fan of strong women. Seven is my lucky number.
Speaker 2
I'm a librarian. I like the classic books, but am currently reading some star wars novels. I have three kids. I like to be outside.  I commute by boat every day to work. I live in Amsterdam so there are a lot of canals. I am going on vacation to Greece with my family this year. I have never been to Greece. I traveled to Rome three years ago. I enjoy Greek mythology, especially Athena. I am a fan of strong women. Three is my lucky number. I have two siblings. I used to play on a handball team.
Speaker 1
When do you leave for Greece?
Speaker 2
Probably in the next three months.  Still sorting out flights and stuff.
Speaker 1
That's great. Have you looked at places yet that you'd like to visit?
Speaker 2
Athens is a must.  Probably will also go to Santorini.  One of my colleagues told me that Thessaloniki is interesting -- it's in the north, and quite different from the southern cities.
Speaker 1
Yes, I'm sure you will love Thessaloniki, it is amazing. Are you going to stay for a couple of weeks or have you not decided yet?
Speaker 2
Around that -- two to three weeks.  Still have a few details to sort out.  Not easy taking a family of five overseas.
Speaker 1
I can imagine. Sounds like a lot of fun though. I can't wait to have kids one day and go on a proper family holiday with them! Are you going on a summer holiday every year?
Speaker 2
We try.  Better doing something than having kids bored and screaming at home :-).  Do you like travelling?
Speaker 1
I do, but it's not as fun going on my own. I used to do a big trip around Europe a few years ago, visiting all the capital cities of each country. That was fun!
Speaker 2
Wow... that sounds amazing!!!  What were your favourite cities?
Speaker 1
My favourites were Rome, Berlin, Madrid and Helsinki. So much lovely, old architecture in those places. I took Wylie as well and he loved just exploring the cities with me.
Speaker 2
What's Helsinki like?  I have been fascinated with Finland for some time, but still have not managed to get over there.
3 days 6 hours
Speaker 1
I am a reader. I have just finished Pachinko.  I have a dog named Wylie. I want kids some day. My mom is pediatrician. My pop is a fireman. I like to be outside. I used to enjoy Greek mythology but have forgotten much of what I learned. I am a fan of strong women. Seven is my lucky number. I have been to Thessaloniki. I want to have kids someday. I like to travel. I have been on a few trips to the capital cities of Europe. My favorite cities are Rome, Berlin, Madrid, and Helsinki.
Speaker 2
I'm a librarian. I like the classic books, but am currently reading some star wars novels. I have three kids. I like to be outside.  I commute by boat every day to work. I live in Amsterdam so there are a lot of canals. I am going on vacation to Greece with my family this year. I have never been to Greece. I traveled to Rome three years ago. I enjoy Greek mythology, especially Athena. I am a fan of strong women. Three is my lucky number. I have two siblings. I used to play on a handball team. I am planning a trip to Greece with my family of five. I plan to go to Athens. I would like to go to Santorini. I might go to Thessaloniki. My trip to Greece will be about two weeks. I try to go on a vacation with my family every summer. I am interested in Finland.
Speaker 1
You got me thinking of traveling, and I decided to book a plane ticket to Rome on a whim!
Speaker 2
That is awesome, when do you leave?
Speaker 1
Two weeks! I'm so excited! When is your trip?
Speaker 2
I am hoping to leave later this summer, probably a month before school starts.
Speaker 1
That sounds great. Are the kids excited?
Speaker 2
They are, they have never been to Greece. I bet you can't wait to be sipping coffee outside the Colosseum. Where are you going to go first?
Speaker 1
I haven't really planned the trip out as it's so last minute! What would you do first?
Speaker 2
I would have to say the Parthenon. Athena is my favorite among the Greek gods/goddesses.
Speaker 1
That sounds wonderful. I haven't been there.
Speaker 2
You have to put it on your itinerary, along with the Acropolis of Athens and the beach on Corfu Island.
Speaker 1
I sure will. Thank you.
Speaker 2
Is your trip more for relaxation or for sight seeing because that will really determine where you should go.
3 days 11 hours
Speaker 1
I am a reader. I have just finished Pachinko.  I have a dog named Wylie. I want kids some day. My mom is pediatrician. My pop is a fireman. I like to be outside. I used to enjoy Greek mythology but have forgotten much of what I learned. I am a fan of strong women. Seven is my lucky number. I have been to Thessaloniki. I want to have kids someday. I like to travel. I have been on a few trips to the capital cities of Europe. My favorite cities are Rome, Berlin, Madrid, and Helsinki. I have never been to the Parthenon in Greece. I will be travelling to Rome. I like to drink coffee.
Speaker 2
I'm a librarian. I like the classic books, but am currently reading some star wars novels. I have three kids. I like to be outside.  I commute by boat every day to work. I live in Amsterdam so there are a lot of canals. I am going on vacation to Greece with my family this year. I have never been to Greece. I traveled to Rome three years ago. I enjoy Greek mythology, especially Athena. I am a fan of strong women. Three is my lucky number. I have two siblings. I used to play on a handball team. I am planning a trip to Greece with my family of five. I plan to go to Athens. I would like to go to Santorini. I might go to Thessaloniki. My trip to Greece will be about two weeks. I try to go on a vacation with my family every summer. I am interested in Finland. I find travel exciting. I am going on a trip this year. I have children that are school children. I have been to Greece before. My children have never travelled to Greece.  I will be visiting the Parthenon in Greece. I have visited the Acropolis of Athens and Corfu Island previously and I enjoyed it.
Speaker 1
I booked an excursion to visit the Acropolis in Athens, thank you so much for your advice. Can you tell me about it?
Speaker 2
Yes!  You can't miss it, especially if you are staying in the Plaka neighborhood.   The acroplis sits on the top of the big hill.  You can see if from  much of the surrounding neighborhoods.   I would recommend visiting the museum that is there first to learn all about what you are about to see. 
Speaker 1
I definitely will, this sounds like such an amazing trip. How long has it been since you've been there yourself?
Speaker 2
I was in Greece last two years ago.   I am excited to go again soon!    At somepoint I would like to take a cruise around the islands there.  It seems like a neat way to see all the Islands in an easy way.   Have you ever taken a cruise?
Speaker 1
Only once before when I was very young, so I don't remember much. It sounds like such a relaxing way to enjoy the day, though. Maybe we can plan a cruise together sometime.
Speaker 2
That would be fun!  I go to Europe a lot so maybe a cruise in the Caribbean would be nice.  I would like to see Saint Lucia and Saint Thomas. 
Speaker 1
Oh, Europe? I'm already sold on the idea, sounds like a blast! I've never had a negative experience in Europe. Should we visit some of the capital cities?
Speaker 2
I would like to go to Paris.  Since I live in Amsterdam I could take the train down.  I have seen much and Italy and Greece but would love to go to Paris.  Have you been there before? 
Speaker 1
Only once, and I had a really great time there. The buildings were so beautiful and the food was delicious. Do you like French food?
Speaker 2
I do like French food- but it is very rich.  I especially love French desserts like macarons.   I would like to see the museums in Paris. 
Speaker 1
That's a good idea! I definitely haven't seen enough of them. Should we bring anyone else along on our trip?
Speaker 2
Well I have my 3 kids and husband.   What about you?  Are you dating anyone you would want to bring?
3 days 13 hours