On this episode, I am joined by my friend Betty Chao, as we discuss a trend that's been around for a while, but seemingly became a popular expression around the time of the global pandemic. Listen in as we discuss all things related to Staycations.

Vocabulary:

1. 宅度假 - Staycation

2. 假期 – Vacation Time, Period of Leave

3. 人潮 – Sea of People

4. 涌动 – to Surge

5. 人潮涌动 – Throngs of people pushing against one another

6. 抢票 – to fight over limited number of tickets

7. 集体度假 – group vacation

8. 时尚 - fashionable

9. 混成词 – blended word, portmanteau

10. 彩弹射击游戏 - Paintball

11. 健行 – hiking

12. 各国美食 – Global cuisine

13. 金融危机 – Financial crisis

14. 疲软 – Weak

15. 预算 – Budget

好不容易迎来假期，最烦心的就是车子刚开出小区就被堵在家门口，或是挤在人潮涌动的景区（啥也）什么也没看到，还必须忍受抢票上的困难。（受够了抢票难）、坐车人挤人、景区人看人的“集体度假”模式。如今，宅度假的方式成为旅行的时尚新选择。

The holiday is finally ushered in. The most annoying thing is when the car is blocked right at the entrance as soon as it leaves the neighborhood, or squeezed into a crowded scenic spot and nothing can be seen. Or you must endure the mad rush to buy tickets. The "group vacation" mode of crowded people in cars and people watching people in scenic spots. Nowadays, staying at home has become a fashionable new choice for travel.

“宅度假”是由stay(宅)和vacation(度假)组成的混成词，意思指在家或家附近度假。

Staycation is a portmanteau that combines "stay" and "vacation" and refers to a holiday that takes place either at or near home.

有些人可能会去附近的旅游景点、游泳馆或进行骑马、彩弹射击游戏、（远足,徒步旅行，或者“徒步”）健行(饯行 – farewell dinner)或参观博物馆等有趣的活动。在宅度假期间，大家更会尝试不同的餐厅享受各国美食。

People might make day trips to local tourist sites, swimming venues, or engage in fun activities such as horseback riding, paintball, hiking or visiting museums. Most of the time it involves dining out more frequently than usual.

2007年到2010年金融危机期间，“宅度假”在美国流行起来（开来）。在2009年，由于英镑疲软，导致英国人到海外旅游的花费增加，“宅度假”在英国也成了一种新趋势。

Staycations achieved popularity in the US during the financial crisis of 2007–2010. Staycations also became a popular phenomenon in the UK in 2009 as a weak pound made overseas holidays significantly more expensive.

由于度假期间容易交通堵塞以及个人预算和时间的限制，宅度假成为大部分人的新选择。随着大家对于休闲的方式有更多不同的想法，宅度假的概念在中国也流行起来。

Staycation is the only choice for most people due to heavy traffic jams and their limited budget and time. It becomes popular in Chinese mainland as people get more thoughtful about how to vacation.