Lesson 24: Yesterday Was Amazing!

Conversation

Anna: Yesterday was the most amazing day. I want to tell my friend back home about it. So, I am writing her a letter!

Anna: Dear Penelope,

Life in Washington, D.C. is interesting. I see something new every day -- like yesterday. Yesterday started like a usual work day.

Anna: I said, "Yesterday started like a usual work day."

Anna's voice: I was at work. And I wanted a break. So, I walked and walked … and walked. Then, I saw something! It was a festival -- a big festival!

Anna: It is the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Anna's voice: Yes. It was the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Every year the festival shows different cultures. This year one of the cultures was the Basque culture.

There was dancing and food and games!”

Anna: I am dancing a traditional Basque dance.

Anna's voice: At the festival, I danced a traditional Basque dance!

Anna: They are cooking traditional Basque food.

Anna's voice: They cooked a lot of traditional Basque food.

Anna: They are playing a game. It’s a kind of handball. What do they call it? They call it pilota!

Anna's voice: They played a game with their hands and a small ball. It’s a kind of handball. But this game is called pilota.

Anna: This is beautiful! This is traditional Basque art.

Anna: They are making a traditional Basque ship. This festival is a lot of fun!

Anna's voice: The whole day was a lot of fun!

Anna: Who said that? I want to write my friends and tell them about my day!

Anna: … So, I wanted to tell you about my day! Please, my friend, come visit Washington, D.C. soon. There is a lot to do! Until next time … Anna.

New Words

was - v. past tense of the verb "be" in first or third person (I was; he/she/it was)

Basque Country _- n. region of Spain

culture - n. the beliefs, customs, or arts of a particular society

festival - n. an organized series of performances

handball - n. a game for two or four players who use their hands to hit a ball against a wall

interesting - adj. attracting your attention and making you want to learn more about something or to be involved in something

said - v. past tense of the verb "say"

traditional - adj. following the tradition of a certain group or culture

Past tense verbs
start - started
want - wanted
walk - walked
dance - danced
play - played
call - called