In a profession where black women are still in the minority, Alek Wek (1) ... the title 'super-model'. Her life, however, hasn’t been easy. Alek was born into a poor family in Sudan in 1977, the seventh of nine children. In 1983, civil war broke out. In the end, Alek's family decided to move to Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, where unfortunately Alek’s father died. In 1991, Alek and her younger sister moved to the UK. Their older sister (2) ... to Britain three years earlier. They (3) ... refugee status in Britain. Wek (4) ... a course in fashion and business when she was discovered by a scout from the Models One agency in London. The discovery (5) ... her available for the music video “Golden Eye” by Tina Turner, which eventually became the starter of her professional career. Since then Wek has been a top model for over 15 years. However, these days she (6) ... more and more time working with charities which help Africa. Since 2002, Wek has been an advisor to the US Committee for Refugees. In the 1990s, Alek Wek changed the stereotype of how a model should look. Now she (7) ... the stereotype of how a model should behave.

In a profession where black women are still in the minority, Alek Wek (1) ... the title 'super-model'. Her life, however, hasn’t been easy. Alek was born into a poor family in Sudan in 1977, the seventh of nine children. In 1983, civil war broke out. In the end, Alek's family decided to move to Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, where unfortunately Alek’s father died. In 1991, Alek and her younger sister moved to the UK. Their older sister (2) ... to Britain three years earlier. They (3) ... refugee status in Britain. Wek (4) ... a course in fashion and business when she was discovered by a scout from the Models One agency in London. The discovery (5) ... her available for the music video “Golden Eye” by Tina Turner, which eventually became the starter of her professional career. Since then Wek has been a top model for over 15 years. However, these days she (6) ... more and more time working with charities which help Africa. Since 2002, Wek has been an advisor to the US Committee for Refugees. In the 1990s, Alek Wek changed the stereotype of how a model should look. Now she (7) ... the stereotype of how a model should behave.

In a profession where black women are still in the minority, Alek Wek (1) ... the title 'super-model'. Her life, however, hasn’t been easy. Alek was born into a poor family in Sudan in 1977, the seventh of nine children. In 1983, civil war broke out. In the end, Alek's family decided to move to Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, where unfortunately Alek’s father died. In 1991, Alek and her younger sister moved to the UK. Their older sister (2) ... to Britain three years earlier. They (3) ... refugee status in Britain. Wek (4) ... a course in fashion and business when she was discovered by a scout from the Models One agency in London. The discovery (5) ... her available for the music video “Golden Eye” by Tina Turner, which eventually became the starter of her professional career. Since then Wek has been a top model for over 15 years. However, these days she (6) ... more and more time working with charities which help Africa. Since 2002, Wek has been an advisor to the US Committee for Refugees. In the 1990s, Alek Wek changed the stereotype of how a model should look. Now she (7) ... the stereotype of how a model should behave.

In a profession where black women are still in the minority, Alek Wek (1) ... the title 'super-model'. Her life, however, hasn’t been easy. Alek was born into a poor family in Sudan in 1977, the seventh of nine children. In 1983, civil war broke out. In the end, Alek's family decided to move to Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, where unfortunately Alek’s father died. In 1991, Alek and her younger sister moved to the UK. Their older sister (2) ... to Britain three years earlier. They (3) ... refugee status in Britain. Wek (4) ... a course in fashion and business when she was discovered by a scout from the Models One agency in London. The discovery (5) ... her available for the music video “Golden Eye” by Tina Turner, which eventually became the starter of her professional career. Since then Wek has been a top model for over 15 years. However, these days she (6) ... more and more time working with charities which help Africa. Since 2002, Wek has been an advisor to the US Committee for Refugees. In the 1990s, Alek Wek changed the stereotype of how a model should look. Now she (7) ... the stereotype of how a model should behave.

In a profession where black women are still in the minority, Alek Wek (1) ... the title 'super-model'. Her life, however, hasn’t been easy. Alek was born into a poor family in Sudan in 1977, the seventh of nine children. In 1983, civil war broke out. In the end, Alek's family decided to move to Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, where unfortunately Alek’s father died. In 1991, Alek and her younger sister moved to the UK. Their older sister (2) ... to Britain three years earlier. They (3) ... refugee status in Britain. Wek (4) ... a course in fashion and business when she was discovered by a scout from the Models One agency in London. The discovery (5) ... her available for the music video “Golden Eye” by Tina Turner, which eventually became the starter of her professional career. Since then Wek has been a top model for over 15 years. However, these days she (6) ... more and more time working with charities which help Africa. Since 2002, Wek has been an advisor to the US Committee for Refugees. In the 1990s, Alek Wek changed the stereotype of how a model should look. Now she (7) ... the stereotype of how a model should behave.

In a profession where black women are still in the minority, Alek Wek (1) ... the title 'super-model'. Her life, however, hasn’t been easy. Alek was born into a poor family in Sudan in 1977, the seventh of nine children. In 1983, civil war broke out. In the end, Alek's family decided to move to Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, where unfortunately Alek’s father died. In 1991, Alek and her younger sister moved to the UK. Their older sister (2) ... to Britain three years earlier. They (3) ... refugee status in Britain. Wek (4) ... a course in fashion and business when she was discovered by a scout from the Models One agency in London. The discovery (5) ... her available for the music video “Golden Eye” by Tina Turner, which eventually became the starter of her professional career. Since then Wek has been a top model for over 15 years. However, these days she (6) ... more and more time working with charities which help Africa. Since 2002, Wek has been an advisor to the US Committee for Refugees. In the 1990s, Alek Wek changed the stereotype of how a model should look. Now she (7) ... the stereotype of how a model should behave.

In a profession where black women are still in the minority, Alek Wek (1) ... the title 'super-model'. Her life, however, hasn’t been easy. Alek was born into a poor family in Sudan in 1977, the seventh of nine children. In 1983, civil war broke out. In the end, Alek's family decided to move to Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, where unfortunately Alek’s father died. In 1991, Alek and her younger sister moved to the UK. Their older sister (2) ... to Britain three years earlier. They (3) ... refugee status in Britain. Wek (4) ... a course in fashion and business when she was discovered by a scout from the Models One agency in London. The discovery (5) ... her available for the music video “Golden Eye” by Tina Turner, which eventually became the starter of her professional career. Since then Wek has been a top model for over 15 years. However, these days she (6) ... more and more time working with charities which help Africa. Since 2002, Wek has been an advisor to the US Committee for Refugees. In the 1990s, Alek Wek changed the stereotype of how a model should look. Now she (7) ... the stereotype of how a model should behave.

(1) ... Globe Theatre is situated on the banks of the River Thames, about 200 metres from the original site of Shakespeare’s 1599 building. It’s a faithful (точ­ный) reconstruction of the open-air playhouse where Shakespeare worked, and for which he wrote many of his greatest plays. Due (2) ... the fact that the theatre is open to the sky, the season is limited (3) ... only six months of the year, running from April to October. The theatre itself is circular in shape and the seated areas are in the lower, middle, and upper galleries. (4) ... addition to the seated galleries, there is an area in front of the stage called the Yard, where visitors can stand and watch the play. Before attending (5) ... a performance, visitors need to bear a certain thing in (6) ... mind. As it is a 16th-century replica, the theatre doesn’t boast any (7) ... the comforts of modern-day life and performances continue whatever (8) ... weather.

(1) ... Globe Theatre is situated on the banks of the River Thames, about 200 metres from the original site of Shakespeare’s 1599 building. It’s a faithful (точ­ный) reconstruction of the open-air playhouse where Shakespeare worked, and for which he wrote many of his greatest plays. Due (2) ... the fact that the theatre is open to the sky, the season is limited (3) ... only six months of the year, running from April to October. The theatre itself is circular in shape and the seated areas are in the lower, middle, and upper galleries. (4) ... addition to the seated galleries, there is an area in front of the stage called the Yard, where visitors can stand and watch the play. Before attending (5) ... a performance, visitors need to bear a certain thing in (6) ... mind. As it is a 16th-century replica, the theatre doesn’t boast any (7) ... the comforts of modern-day life and performances continue whatever (8) ... weather.

(1) ... Globe Theatre is situated on the banks of the River Thames, about 200 metres from the original site of Shakespeare’s 1599 building. It’s a faithful (точ­ный) reconstruction of the open-air playhouse where Shakespeare worked, and for which he wrote many of his greatest plays. Due (2) ... the fact that the theatre is open to the sky, the season is limited (3) ... only six months of the year, running from April to October. The theatre itself is circular in shape and the seated areas are in the lower, middle, and upper galleries. (4) ... addition to the seated galleries, there is an area in front of the stage called the Yard, where visitors can stand and watch the play. Before attending (5) ... a performance, visitors need to bear a certain thing in (6) ... mind. As it is a 16th-century replica, the theatre doesn’t boast any (7) ... the comforts of modern-day life and performances continue whatever (8) ... weather.

(1) ... Globe Theatre is situated on the banks of the River Thames, about 200 metres from the original site of Shakespeare’s 1599 building. It’s a faithful (точ­ный) reconstruction of the open-air playhouse where Shakespeare worked, and for which he wrote many of his greatest plays. Due (2) ... the fact that the theatre is open to the sky, the season is limited (3) ... only six months of the year, running from April to October. The theatre itself is circular in shape and the seated areas are in the lower, middle, and upper galleries. (4) ... addition to the seated galleries, there is an area in front of the stage called the Yard, where visitors can stand and watch the play. Before attending (5) ... a performance, visitors need to bear a certain thing in (6) ... mind. As it is a 16th-century replica, the theatre doesn’t boast any (7) ... the comforts of modern-day life and performances continue whatever (8) ... weather.

(1) ... Globe Theatre is situated on the banks of the River Thames, about 200 metres from the original site of Shakespeare’s 1599 building. It’s a faithful (точ­ный) reconstruction of the open-air playhouse where Shakespeare worked, and for which he wrote many of his greatest plays. Due (2) ... the fact that the theatre is open to the sky, the season is limited (3) ... only six months of the year, running from April to October. The theatre itself is circular in shape and the seated areas are in the lower, middle, and upper galleries. (4) ... addition to the seated galleries, there is an area in front of the stage called the Yard, where visitors can stand and watch the play. Before attending (5) ... a performance, visitors need to bear a certain thing in (6) ... mind. As it is a 16th-century replica, the theatre doesn’t boast any (7) ... the comforts of modern-day life and performances continue whatever (8) ... weather.

(1) ... Globe Theatre is situated on the banks of the River Thames, about 200 metres from the original site of Shakespeare’s 1599 building. It’s a faithful (точ­ный) reconstruction of the open-air playhouse where Shakespeare worked, and for which he wrote many of his greatest plays. Due (2) ... the fact that the theatre is open to the sky, the season is limited (3) ... only six months of the year, running from April to October. The theatre itself is circular in shape and the seated areas are in the lower, middle, and upper galleries. (4) ... addition to the seated galleries, there is an area in front of the stage called the Yard, where visitors can stand and watch the play. Before attending (5) ... a performance, visitors need to bear a certain thing in (6) ... mind. As it is a 16th-century replica, the theatre doesn’t boast any (7) ... the comforts of modern-day life and performances continue whatever (8) ... weather.

(1) ... Globe Theatre is situated on the banks of the River Thames, about 200 metres from the original site of Shakespeare’s 1599 building. It’s a faithful (точ­ный) reconstruction of the open-air playhouse where Shakespeare worked, and for which he wrote many of his greatest plays. Due (2) ... the fact that the theatre is open to the sky, the season is limited (3) ... only six months of the year, running from April to October. The theatre itself is circular in shape and the seated areas are in the lower, middle, and upper galleries. (4) ... addition to the seated galleries, there is an area in front of the stage called the Yard, where visitors can stand and watch the play. Before attending (5) ... a performance, visitors need to bear a certain thing in (6) ... mind. As it is a 16th-century replica, the theatre doesn’t boast any (7) ... the comforts of modern-day life and performances continue whatever (8) ... weather.

(1) ... Globe Theatre is situated on the banks of the River Thames, about 200 metres from the original site of Shakespeare’s 1599 building. It’s a faithful (точ­ный) reconstruction of the open-air playhouse where Shakespeare worked, and for which he wrote many of his greatest plays. Due (2) ... the fact that the theatre is open to the sky, the season is limited (3) ... only six months of the year, running from April to October. The theatre itself is circular in shape and the seated areas are in the lower, middle, and upper galleries. (4) ... addition to the seated galleries, there is an area in front of the stage called the Yard, where visitors can stand and watch the play. Before attending (5) ... a performance, visitors need to bear a certain thing in (6) ... mind. As it is a 16th-century replica, the theatre doesn’t boast any (7) ... the comforts of modern-day life and performances continue whatever (8) ... weather.

Heston Blumental, a British chef, was first inspired to cook when (1) ... France as a teenager. There, the scent of lavender and other herbs made him (2) ... the importance of the (3) ... of smell in the whole eating process. Heston is now a well-(4) ... chef despite having a difficult start. He left school without (5) ... many qualifications, and had a series of uninspiring jobs. He never lost his passion for food, though, and he eventually bought an old pub, w'here he started to (6) ... out his ideas for new recipes. The pub became a world-famous restaurant. One thing that makes Heston lose his (7) ... is customers taking photos of their food. Heston’s (8) ... ofviewisthat each diner at his restaurant should be fully ‘present’ in the whole food experience. This cannot happen, he says, if they are (9) ... attention to their cameras or their phones. Using flash, in (10) ..., drives him and the other customers quite mad!

Heston Blumental, a British chef, was first inspired to cook when (1) ... France as a teenager. There, the scent of lavender and other herbs made him (2) ... the importance of the (3) ... of smell in the whole eating process. Heston is now a well-(4) ... chef despite having a difficult start. He left school without (5) ... many qualifications, and had a series of uninspiring jobs. He never lost his passion for food, though, and he eventually bought an old pub, w'here he started to (6) ... out his ideas for new recipes. The pub became a world-famous restaurant. One thing that makes Heston lose his (7) ... is customers taking photos of their food. Heston’s (8) ... ofviewisthat each diner at his restaurant should be fully ‘present’ in the whole food experience. This cannot happen, he says, if they are (9) ... attention to their cameras or their phones. Using flash, in (10) ..., drives him and the other customers quite mad!

Heston Blumental, a British chef, was first inspired to cook when (1) ... France as a teenager. There, the scent of lavender and other herbs made him (2) ... the importance of the (3) ... of smell in the whole eating process. Heston is now a well-(4) ... chef despite having a difficult start. He left school without (5) ... many qualifications, and had a series of uninspiring jobs. He never lost his passion for food, though, and he eventually bought an old pub, w'here he started to (6) ... out his ideas for new recipes. The pub became a world-famous restaurant. One thing that makes Heston lose his (7) ... is customers taking photos of their food. Heston’s (8) ... ofviewisthat each diner at his restaurant should be fully ‘present’ in the whole food experience. This cannot happen, he says, if they are (9) ... attention to their cameras or their phones. Using flash, in (10) ..., drives him and the other customers quite mad!

Heston Blumental, a British chef, was first inspired to cook when (1) ... France as a teenager. There, the scent of lavender and other herbs made him (2) ... the importance of the (3) ... of smell in the whole eating process. Heston is now a well-(4) ... chef despite having a difficult start. He left school without (5) ... many qualifications, and had a series of uninspiring jobs. He never lost his passion for food, though, and he eventually bought an old pub, w'here he started to (6) ... out his ideas for new recipes. The pub became a world-famous restaurant. One thing that makes Heston lose his (7) ... is customers taking photos of their food. Heston’s (8) ... ofviewisthat each diner at his restaurant should be fully ‘present’ in the whole food experience. This cannot happen, he says, if they are (9) ... attention to their cameras or their phones. Using flash, in (10) ..., drives him and the other customers quite mad!

Heston Blumental, a British chef, was first inspired to cook when (1) ... France as a teenager. There, the scent of lavender and other herbs made him (2) ... the importance of the (3) ... of smell in the whole eating process. Heston is now a well-(4) ... chef despite having a difficult start. He left school without (5) ... many qualifications, and had a series of uninspiring jobs. He never lost his passion for food, though, and he eventually bought an old pub, w'here he started to (6) ... out his ideas for new recipes. The pub became a world-famous restaurant. One thing that makes Heston lose his (7) ... is customers taking photos of their food. Heston’s (8) ... ofviewisthat each diner at his restaurant should be fully ‘present’ in the whole food experience. This cannot happen, he says, if they are (9) ... attention to their cameras or their phones. Using flash, in (10) ..., drives him and the other customers quite mad!

Heston Blumental, a British chef, was first inspired to cook when (1) ... France as a teenager. There, the scent of lavender and other herbs made him (2) ... the importance of the (3) ... of smell in the whole eating process. Heston is now a well-(4) ... chef despite having a difficult start. He left school without (5) ... many qualifications, and had a series of uninspiring jobs. He never lost his passion for food, though, and he eventually bought an old pub, w'here he started to (6) ... out his ideas for new recipes. The pub became a world-famous restaurant. One thing that makes Heston lose his (7) ... is customers taking photos of their food. Heston’s (8) ... ofviewisthat each diner at his restaurant should be fully ‘present’ in the whole food experience. This cannot happen, he says, if they are (9) ... attention to their cameras or their phones. Using flash, in (10) ..., drives him and the other customers quite mad!

Heston Blumental, a British chef, was first inspired to cook when (1) ... France as a teenager. There, the scent of lavender and other herbs made him (2) ... the importance of the (3) ... of smell in the whole eating process. Heston is now a well-(4) ... chef despite having a difficult start. He left school without (5) ... many qualifications, and had a series of uninspiring jobs. He never lost his passion for food, though, and he eventually bought an old pub, w'here he started to (6) ... out his ideas for new recipes. The pub became a world-famous restaurant. One thing that makes Heston lose his (7) ... is customers taking photos of their food. Heston’s (8) ... ofviewisthat each diner at his restaurant should be fully ‘present’ in the whole food experience. This cannot happen, he says, if they are (9) ... attention to their cameras or their phones. Using flash, in (10) ..., drives him and the other customers quite mad!

Heston Blumental, a British chef, was first inspired to cook when (1) ... France as a teenager. There, the scent of lavender and other herbs made him (2) ... the importance of the (3) ... of smell in the whole eating process. Heston is now a well-(4) ... chef despite having a difficult start. He left school without (5) ... many qualifications, and had a series of uninspiring jobs. He never lost his passion for food, though, and he eventually bought an old pub, w'here he started to (6) ... out his ideas for new recipes. The pub became a world-famous restaurant. One thing that makes Heston lose his (7) ... is customers taking photos of their food. Heston’s (8) ... ofviewisthat each diner at his restaurant should be fully ‘present’ in the whole food experience. This cannot happen, he says, if they are (9) ... attention to their cameras or their phones. Using flash, in (10) ..., drives him and the other customers quite mad!

Heston Blumental, a British chef, was first inspired to cook when (1) ... France as a teenager. There, the scent of lavender and other herbs made him (2) ... the importance of the (3) ... of smell in the whole eating process. Heston is now a well-(4) ... chef despite having a difficult start. He left school without (5) ... many qualifications, and had a series of uninspiring jobs. He never lost his passion for food, though, and he eventually bought an old pub, w'here he started to (6) ... out his ideas for new recipes. The pub became a world-famous restaurant. One thing that makes Heston lose his (7) ... is customers taking photos of their food. Heston’s (8) ... ofviewisthat each diner at his restaurant should be fully ‘present’ in the whole food experience. This cannot happen, he says, if they are (9) ... attention to their cameras or their phones. Using flash, in (10) ..., drives him and the other customers quite mad!

Heston Blumental, a British chef, was first inspired to cook when (1) ... France as a teenager. There, the scent of lavender and other herbs made him (2) ... the importance of the (3) ... of smell in the whole eating process. Heston is now a well-(4) ... chef despite having a difficult start. He left school without (5) ... many qualifications, and had a series of uninspiring jobs. He never lost his passion for food, though, and he eventually bought an old pub, w'here he started to (6) ... out his ideas for new recipes. The pub became a world-famous restaurant. One thing that makes Heston lose his (7) ... is customers taking photos of their food. Heston’s (8) ... ofviewisthat each diner at his restaurant should be fully ‘present’ in the whole food experience. This cannot happen, he says, if they are (9) ... attention to their cameras or their phones. Using flash, in (10) ..., drives him and the other customers quite mad!

§ 1. Having decided in later life that it might actually be quite nice to master another language, rather than dusting off my schoolgirl French, I opted for Spanish. Three years of half-finished evening classes later, thanks to the enthusiastic teacher’s efforts I could order in a restaurant and ask directions, but my conversational skills were limited to asking everybody how many brothers and sisters they had. The only true way to master a language is to live and breathe it for a period of time. I’d thought of taking a language ‘immersion’ course (курс язы­ко­во­го по­гру­же­ния) abroad, but two little words always stopped me: home stay. Then I saw that tour operator Journey Latin America had started offering Spanish courses in Peru, amongst other places. The opportunity to realise two long-held ambitions in one holiday  — to improve my Spanish and to see Machu Picchu  — proved irresistible.

§ 2. My misgivings disappear the moment I am met by my home-stay family, the Rojas, at Cusco airport. They greet me warmly, like an old friend. Carlos is an optician and Carmucha owns a restaurant. With their four children they live in a comfortable house right in the centre of town. Then I’m taken to a family friend’s birthday party, where I understand nothing apart from the bit where they sing ‘Happy Birthday’. By the end of the evening my face aches from holding an expression of polite, but uncomprehending interest, and I fall into bed wondering what I’ve let myself in for.

§ 3. The following morning, I’m off to school and get to know my new group mates. We’re aged between 19 and 65, each spending up to a month studying before travelling around Peru. We have all clearly got to know about our new families. We’re all keen to meet our teachers and see which class we’ll be joining, but after sitting the placement test, we learn that as it’s not yet high season and the school is not too busy, tuition will be one-on-one. Although some find the prospect frightening, to my mind, this is a pretty impressive ratio  — though even in high season the maximum class size expands to only four pupils.

§ 4. As the week unfolds, I slip into a routine. Four hours of classes in the morning, back home for lunch, then afternoons free for sightseeing.

§ 5. As the week wears on, a strange thing starts to happen: the dinner-table chatter, which at first was so much ‘white noise’, starts to have some meaning and, wonderfully,! can follow the thread of the conversation. What’s more, I’ve started to dream in Spanish!

§ 1. Having decided in later life that it might actually be quite nice to master another language, rather than dusting off my schoolgirl French, I opted for Spanish. Three years of half-finished evening classes later, thanks to the enthusiastic teacher’s efforts I could order in a restaurant and ask directions, but my conversational skills were limited to asking everybody how many brothers and sisters they had. The only true way to master a language is to live and breathe it for a period of time. I’d thought of taking a language ‘immersion’ course (курс язы­ко­во­го по­гру­же­ния) abroad, but two little words always stopped me: home stay. Then I saw that tour operator Journey Latin America had started offering Spanish courses in Peru, amongst other places. The opportunity to realise two long-held ambitions in one holiday  — to improve my Spanish and to see Machu Picchu  — proved irresistible.

§ 2. My misgivings disappear the moment I am met by my home-stay family, the Rojas, at Cusco airport. They greet me warmly, like an old friend. Carlos is an optician and Carmucha owns a restaurant. With their four children they live in a comfortable house right in the centre of town. Then I’m taken to a family friend’s birthday party, where I understand nothing apart from the bit where they sing ‘Happy Birthday’. By the end of the evening my face aches from holding an expression of polite, but uncomprehending interest, and I fall into bed wondering what I’ve let myself in for.

§ 3. The following morning, I’m off to school and get to know my new group mates. We’re aged between 19 and 65, each spending up to a month studying before travelling around Peru. We have all clearly got to know about our new families. We’re all keen to meet our teachers and see which class we’ll be joining, but after sitting the placement test, we learn that as it’s not yet high season and the school is not too busy, tuition will be one-on-one. Although some find the prospect frightening, to my mind, this is a pretty impressive ratio  — though even in high season the maximum class size expands to only four pupils.

§ 4. As the week unfolds, I slip into a routine. Four hours of classes in the morning, back home for lunch, then afternoons free for sightseeing.

§ 5. As the week wears on, a strange thing starts to happen: the dinner-table chatter, which at first was so much ‘white noise’, starts to have some meaning and, wonderfully,! can follow the thread of the conversation. What’s more, I’ve started to dream in Spanish!

§ 1. Having decided in later life that it might actually be quite nice to master another language, rather than dusting off my schoolgirl French, I opted for Spanish. Three years of half-finished evening classes later, thanks to the enthusiastic teacher’s efforts I could order in a restaurant and ask directions, but my conversational skills were limited to asking everybody how many brothers and sisters they had. The only true way to master a language is to live and breathe it for a period of time. I’d thought of taking a language ‘immersion’ course (курс язы­ко­во­го по­гру­же­ния) abroad, but two little words always stopped me: home stay. Then I saw that tour operator Journey Latin America had started offering Spanish courses in Peru, amongst other places. The opportunity to realise two long-held ambitions in one holiday  — to improve my Spanish and to see Machu Picchu  — proved irresistible.

§ 2. My misgivings disappear the moment I am met by my home-stay family, the Rojas, at Cusco airport. They greet me warmly, like an old friend. Carlos is an optician and Carmucha owns a restaurant. With their four children they live in a comfortable house right in the centre of town. Then I’m taken to a family friend’s birthday party, where I understand nothing apart from the bit where they sing ‘Happy Birthday’. By the end of the evening my face aches from holding an expression of polite, but uncomprehending interest, and I fall into bed wondering what I’ve let myself in for.

§ 3. The following morning, I’m off to school and get to know my new group mates. We’re aged between 19 and 65, each spending up to a month studying before travelling around Peru. We have all clearly got to know about our new families. We’re all keen to meet our teachers and see which class we’ll be joining, but after sitting the placement test, we learn that as it’s not yet high season and the school is not too busy, tuition will be one-on-one. Although some find the prospect frightening, to my mind, this is a pretty impressive ratio  — though even in high season the maximum class size expands to only four pupils.

§ 4. As the week unfolds, I slip into a routine. Four hours of classes in the morning, back home for lunch, then afternoons free for sightseeing.

§ 5. As the week wears on, a strange thing starts to happen: the dinner-table chatter, which at first was so much ‘white noise’, starts to have some meaning and, wonderfully,! can follow the thread of the conversation. What’s more, I’ve started to dream in Spanish!

§ 1. Having decided in later life that it might actually be quite nice to master another language, rather than dusting off my schoolgirl French, I opted for Spanish. Three years of half-finished evening classes later, thanks to the enthusiastic teacher’s efforts I could order in a restaurant and ask directions, but my conversational skills were limited to asking everybody how many brothers and sisters they had. The only true way to master a language is to live and breathe it for a period of time. I’d thought of taking a language ‘immersion’ course (курс язы­ко­во­го по­гру­же­ния) abroad, but two little words always stopped me: home stay. Then I saw that tour operator Journey Latin America had started offering Spanish courses in Peru, amongst other places. The opportunity to realise two long-held ambitions in one holiday  — to improve my Spanish and to see Machu Picchu  — proved irresistible.

§ 2. My misgivings disappear the moment I am met by my home-stay family, the Rojas, at Cusco airport. They greet me warmly, like an old friend. Carlos is an optician and Carmucha owns a restaurant. With their four children they live in a comfortable house right in the centre of town. Then I’m taken to a family friend’s birthday party, where I understand nothing apart from the bit where they sing ‘Happy Birthday’. By the end of the evening my face aches from holding an expression of polite, but uncomprehending interest, and I fall into bed wondering what I’ve let myself in for.

§ 3. The following morning, I’m off to school and get to know my new group mates. We’re aged between 19 and 65, each spending up to a month studying before travelling around Peru. We have all clearly got to know about our new families. We’re all keen to meet our teachers and see which class we’ll be joining, but after sitting the placement test, we learn that as it’s not yet high season and the school is not too busy, tuition will be one-on-one. Although some find the prospect frightening, to my mind, this is a pretty impressive ratio  — though even in high season the maximum class size expands to only four pupils.

§ 4. As the week unfolds, I slip into a routine. Four hours of classes in the morning, back home for lunch, then afternoons free for sightseeing.

§ 5. As the week wears on, a strange thing starts to happen: the dinner-table chatter, which at first was so much ‘white noise’, starts to have some meaning and, wonderfully,! can follow the thread of the conversation. What’s more, I’ve started to dream in Spanish!

§ 1. Having decided in later life that it might actually be quite nice to master another language, rather than dusting off my schoolgirl French, I opted for Spanish. Three years of half-finished evening classes later, thanks to the enthusiastic teacher’s efforts I could order in a restaurant and ask directions, but my conversational skills were limited to asking everybody how many brothers and sisters they had. The only true way to master a language is to live and breathe it for a period of time. I’d thought of taking a language ‘immersion’ course (курс язы­ко­во­го по­гру­же­ния) abroad, but two little words always stopped me: home stay. Then I saw that tour operator Journey Latin America had started offering Spanish courses in Peru, amongst other places. The opportunity to realise two long-held ambitions in one holiday  — to improve my Spanish and to see Machu Picchu  — proved irresistible.

§ 2. My misgivings disappear the moment I am met by my home-stay family, the Rojas, at Cusco airport. They greet me warmly, like an old friend. Carlos is an optician and Carmucha owns a restaurant. With their four children they live in a comfortable house right in the centre of town. Then I’m taken to a family friend’s birthday party, where I understand nothing apart from the bit where they sing ‘Happy Birthday’. By the end of the evening my face aches from holding an expression of polite, but uncomprehending interest, and I fall into bed wondering what I’ve let myself in for.

§ 3. The following morning, I’m off to school and get to know my new group mates. We’re aged between 19 and 65, each spending up to a month studying before travelling around Peru. We have all clearly got to know about our new families. We’re all keen to meet our teachers and see which class we’ll be joining, but after sitting the placement test, we learn that as it’s not yet high season and the school is not too busy, tuition will be one-on-one. Although some find the prospect frightening, to my mind, this is a pretty impressive ratio  — though even in high season the maximum class size expands to only four pupils.

§ 4. As the week unfolds, I slip into a routine. Four hours of classes in the morning, back home for lunch, then afternoons free for sightseeing.

§ 5. As the week wears on, a strange thing starts to happen: the dinner-table chatter, which at first was so much ‘white noise’, starts to have some meaning and, wonderfully,! can follow the thread of the conversation. What’s more, I’ve started to dream in Spanish!

§ 1. Having decided in later life that it might actually be quite nice to master another language, rather than dusting off my schoolgirl French, I opted for Spanish. Three years of half-finished evening classes later, thanks to the enthusiastic teacher’s efforts I could order in a restaurant and ask directions, but my conversational skills were limited to asking everybody how many brothers and sisters they had. The only true way to master a language is to live and breathe it for a period of time. I’d thought of taking a language ‘immersion’ course (курс язы­ко­во­го по­гру­же­ния) abroad, but two little words always stopped me: home stay. Then I saw that tour operator Journey Latin America had started offering Spanish courses in Peru, amongst other places. The opportunity to realise two long-held ambitions in one holiday  — to improve my Spanish and to see Machu Picchu  — proved irresistible.

§ 2. My misgivings disappear the moment I am met by my home-stay family, the Rojas, at Cusco airport. They greet me warmly, like an old friend. Carlos is an optician and Carmucha owns a restaurant. With their four children they live in a comfortable house right in the centre of town. Then I’m taken to a family friend’s birthday party, where I understand nothing apart from the bit where they sing ‘Happy Birthday’. By the end of the evening my face aches from holding an expression of polite, but uncomprehending interest, and I fall into bed wondering what I’ve let myself in for.

§ 3. The following morning, I’m off to school and get to know my new group mates. We’re aged between 19 and 65, each spending up to a month studying before travelling around Peru. We have all clearly got to know about our new families. We’re all keen to meet our teachers and see which class we’ll be joining, but after sitting the placement test, we learn that as it’s not yet high season and the school is not too busy, tuition will be one-on-one. Although some find the prospect frightening, to my mind, this is a pretty impressive ratio  — though even in high season the maximum class size expands to only four pupils.

§ 4. As the week unfolds, I slip into a routine. Four hours of classes in the morning, back home for lunch, then afternoons free for sightseeing.

§ 5. As the week wears on, a strange thing starts to happen: the dinner-table chatter, which at first was so much ‘white noise’, starts to have some meaning and, wonderfully,! can follow the thread of the conversation. What’s more, I’ve started to dream in Spanish!

1.  Housewife and grandmother

I went down a cliff to raise money for charity. It was an enormous challenge as I’m actually quite afraid of heights. It was only really the moment of going over the edge that was difficult: after that it was very easy. You just have to get into the'rhythm and not go too fast. My son is really keen on climbing and some of his friends from his university

climbing club set everything up and organised the whole event. There were about twenty of us who did it and between us we raised well over the target amount.

2.  Lawyer

I ran a triathlon and managed to get over 50 people to sponsor me. I had to train for months and it was really hard work but well worth it. I actually enjoyed the training more than the final event because on the day the weather was terrible. In the months running up to the event I followed a very strict regime and it felt good to be working towards such a specific goal. Knowing that I was going to be able to give a large donation to charity made me even more determined to do it. It was such a positive experience I’m going to do it again next year.

3.  Environmental consultant

I cycled from L.A. to Quito last spring. All my family thought I was mad but I love cycling and I knew it would be an amazing way to see lots of really interesting places. I managed to raise quite a bit of money for charity through sponsorship although that wasn’t my main, objective. I turned 30 in March and I really wanted to be doing something totally different rather than just sitting at my desk in the office. I wanted it to be something I could look back on when I am older and feel proud of. The fact that I was able to do something to help those less well off than me at the same time, well that made it even better.

4.  Retired primary school head teacher

We used to make a big effort to get the children involved in charity events as I think it helps raise their awareness of world events and the fact that in many places there are people, particularly children like themselves, who live in very different circumstances to them. I think they get a great sense of satisfaction too from knowing that they are able to do something to help. Each year we had a special day; where all the children paid a small amount of money and then came to school for one day in their own clothes and not in school uniform. We also regularly held parties where the children were encouraged to donate old toys and books and things which we then sold. All the money we made went to our chosen charity.

1.  Housewife and grandmother

I went down a cliff to raise money for charity. It was an enormous challenge as I’m actually quite afraid of heights. It was only really the moment of going over the edge that was difficult: after that it was very easy. You just have to get into the'rhythm and not go too fast. My son is really keen on climbing and some of his friends from his university

climbing club set everything up and organised the whole event. There were about twenty of us who did it and between us we raised well over the target amount.

2.  Lawyer

I ran a triathlon and managed to get over 50 people to sponsor me. I had to train for months and it was really hard work but well worth it. I actually enjoyed the training more than the final event because on the day the weather was terrible. In the months running up to the event I followed a very strict regime and it felt good to be working towards such a specific goal. Knowing that I was going to be able to give a large donation to charity made me even more determined to do it. It was such a positive experience I’m going to do it again next year.

3.  Environmental consultant

I cycled from L.A. to Quito last spring. All my family thought I was mad but I love cycling and I knew it would be an amazing way to see lots of really interesting places. I managed to raise quite a bit of money for charity through sponsorship although that wasn’t my main, objective. I turned 30 in March and I really wanted to be doing something totally different rather than just sitting at my desk in the office. I wanted it to be something I could look back on when I am older and feel proud of. The fact that I was able to do something to help those less well off than me at the same time, well that made it even better.

4.  Retired primary school head teacher

We used to make a big effort to get the children involved in charity events as I think it helps raise their awareness of world events and the fact that in many places there are people, particularly children like themselves, who live in very different circumstances to them. I think they get a great sense of satisfaction too from knowing that they are able to do something to help. Each year we had a special day; where all the children paid a small amount of money and then came to school for one day in their own clothes and not in school uniform. We also regularly held parties where the children were encouraged to donate old toys and books and things which we then sold. All the money we made went to our chosen charity.

1.  Housewife and grandmother

I went down a cliff to raise money for charity. It was an enormous challenge as I’m actually quite afraid of heights. It was only really the moment of going over the edge that was difficult: after that it was very easy. You just have to get into the'rhythm and not go too fast. My son is really keen on climbing and some of his friends from his university

climbing club set everything up and organised the whole event. There were about twenty of us who did it and between us we raised well over the target amount.

2.  Lawyer

I ran a triathlon and managed to get over 50 people to sponsor me. I had to train for months and it was really hard work but well worth it. I actually enjoyed the training more than the final event because on the day the weather was terrible. In the months running up to the event I followed a very strict regime and it felt good to be working towards such a specific goal. Knowing that I was going to be able to give a large donation to charity made me even more determined to do it. It was such a positive experience I’m going to do it again next year.

3.  Environmental consultant

I cycled from L.A. to Quito last spring. All my family thought I was mad but I love cycling and I knew it would be an amazing way to see lots of really interesting places. I managed to raise quite a bit of money for charity through sponsorship although that wasn’t my main, objective. I turned 30 in March and I really wanted to be doing something totally different rather than just sitting at my desk in the office. I wanted it to be something I could look back on when I am older and feel proud of. The fact that I was able to do something to help those less well off than me at the same time, well that made it even better.

4.  Retired primary school head teacher

We used to make a big effort to get the children involved in charity events as I think it helps raise their awareness of world events and the fact that in many places there are people, particularly children like themselves, who live in very different circumstances to them. I think they get a great sense of satisfaction too from knowing that they are able to do something to help. Each year we had a special day; where all the children paid a small amount of money and then came to school for one day in their own clothes and not in school uniform. We also regularly held parties where the children were encouraged to donate old toys and books and things which we then sold. All the money we made went to our chosen charity.

1.  Housewife and grandmother

I went down a cliff to raise money for charity. It was an enormous challenge as I’m actually quite afraid of heights. It was only really the moment of going over the edge that was difficult: after that it was very easy. You just have to get into the'rhythm and not go too fast. My son is really keen on climbing and some of his friends from his university

climbing club set everything up and organised the whole event. There were about twenty of us who did it and between us we raised well over the target amount.

2.  Lawyer

I ran a triathlon and managed to get over 50 people to sponsor me. I had to train for months and it was really hard work but well worth it. I actually enjoyed the training more than the final event because on the day the weather was terrible. In the months running up to the event I followed a very strict regime and it felt good to be working towards such a specific goal. Knowing that I was going to be able to give a large donation to charity made me even more determined to do it. It was such a positive experience I’m going to do it again next year.

3.  Environmental consultant

I cycled from L.A. to Quito last spring. All my family thought I was mad but I love cycling and I knew it would be an amazing way to see lots of really interesting places. I managed to raise quite a bit of money for charity through sponsorship although that wasn’t my main, objective. I turned 30 in March and I really wanted to be doing something totally different rather than just sitting at my desk in the office. I wanted it to be something I could look back on when I am older and feel proud of. The fact that I was able to do something to help those less well off than me at the same time, well that made it even better.

4.  Retired primary school head teacher

We used to make a big effort to get the children involved in charity events as I think it helps raise their awareness of world events and the fact that in many places there are people, particularly children like themselves, who live in very different circumstances to them. I think they get a great sense of satisfaction too from knowing that they are able to do something to help. Each year we had a special day; where all the children paid a small amount of money and then came to school for one day in their own clothes and not in school uniform. We also regularly held parties where the children were encouraged to donate old toys and books and things which we then sold. All the money we made went to our chosen charity.

1.  Housewife and grandmother

I went down a cliff to raise money for charity. It was an enormous challenge as I’m actually quite afraid of heights. It was only really the moment of going over the edge that was difficult: after that it was very easy. You just have to get into the'rhythm and not go too fast. My son is really keen on climbing and some of his friends from his university

climbing club set everything up and organised the whole event. There were about twenty of us who did it and between us we raised well over the target amount.

2.  Lawyer

I ran a triathlon and managed to get over 50 people to sponsor me. I had to train for months and it was really hard work but well worth it. I actually enjoyed the training more than the final event because on the day the weather was terrible. In the months running up to the event I followed a very strict regime and it felt good to be working towards such a specific goal. Knowing that I was going to be able to give a large donation to charity made me even more determined to do it. It was such a positive experience I’m going to do it again next year.

3.  Environmental consultant

I cycled from L.A. to Quito last spring. All my family thought I was mad but I love cycling and I knew it would be an amazing way to see lots of really interesting places. I managed to raise quite a bit of money for charity through sponsorship although that wasn’t my main, objective. I turned 30 in March and I really wanted to be doing something totally different rather than just sitting at my desk in the office. I wanted it to be something I could look back on when I am older and feel proud of. The fact that I was able to do something to help those less well off than me at the same time, well that made it even better.

4.  Retired primary school head teacher

We used to make a big effort to get the children involved in charity events as I think it helps raise their awareness of world events and the fact that in many places there are people, particularly children like themselves, who live in very different circumstances to them. I think they get a great sense of satisfaction too from knowing that they are able to do something to help. Each year we had a special day; where all the children paid a small amount of money and then came to school for one day in their own clothes and not in school uniform. We also regularly held parties where the children were encouraged to donate old toys and books and things which we then sold. All the money we made went to our chosen charity.

1.  Housewife and grandmother

I went down a cliff to raise money for charity. It was an enormous challenge as I’m actually quite afraid of heights. It was only really the moment of going over the edge that was difficult: after that it was very easy. You just have to get into the'rhythm and not go too fast. My son is really keen on climbing and some of his friends from his university

climbing club set everything up and organised the whole event. There were about twenty of us who did it and between us we raised well over the target amount.

2.  Lawyer

I ran a triathlon and managed to get over 50 people to sponsor me. I had to train for months and it was really hard work but well worth it. I actually enjoyed the training more than the final event because on the day the weather was terrible. In the months running up to the event I followed a very strict regime and it felt good to be working towards such a specific goal. Knowing that I was going to be able to give a large donation to charity made me even more determined to do it. It was such a positive experience I’m going to do it again next year.

3.  Environmental consultant

I cycled from L.A. to Quito last spring. All my family thought I was mad but I love cycling and I knew it would be an amazing way to see lots of really interesting places. I managed to raise quite a bit of money for charity through sponsorship although that wasn’t my main, objective. I turned 30 in March and I really wanted to be doing something totally different rather than just sitting at my desk in the office. I wanted it to be something I could look back on when I am older and feel proud of. The fact that I was able to do something to help those less well off than me at the same time, well that made it even better.

4.  Retired primary school head teacher

We used to make a big effort to get the children involved in charity events as I think it helps raise their awareness of world events and the fact that in many places there are people, particularly children like themselves, who live in very different circumstances to them. I think they get a great sense of satisfaction too from knowing that they are able to do something to help. Each year we had a special day; where all the children paid a small amount of money and then came to school for one day in their own clothes and not in school uniform. We also regularly held parties where the children were encouraged to donate old toys and books and things which we then sold. All the money we made went to our chosen charity.

Stonehenge, the location of which is Salisbury Plain in England, is a prehistoric monument. Its construction took place in about 1,800 BCand is undoubtedly an amazing human (1) ... (ACHIEVE). It consists of two circles of huge stones, some of which weigh up to 50 tons. What makes Stonehenge all the more (2) ... (IMPRESS) is the fact that some of the stones (3)... (ORIGIN) came from Pembrokeshire, which is over 200 miles away. Transportation of these stones would have been carried out using manual labour, since very little (4) ... (TECHNOLOGY) advancement had taken place at the time.

Stonehenge, the location of which is Salisbury Plain in England, is a prehistoric monument. Its construction took place in about 1,800 BCand is undoubtedly an amazing human (1) ... (ACHIEVE). It consists of two circles of huge stones, some of which weigh up to 50 tons. What makes Stonehenge all the more (2) ... (IMPRESS) is the fact that some of the stones (3)... (ORIGIN) came from Pembrokeshire, which is over 200 miles away. Transportation of these stones would have been carried out using manual labour, since very little (4) ... (TECHNOLOGY) advancement had taken place at the time.

Stonehenge, the location of which is Salisbury Plain in England, is a prehistoric monument. Its construction took place in about 1,800 BCand is undoubtedly an amazing human (1) ... (ACHIEVE). It consists of two circles of huge stones, some of which weigh up to 50 tons. What makes Stonehenge all the more (2) ... (IMPRESS) is the fact that some of the stones (3)... (ORIGIN) came from Pembrokeshire, which is over 200 miles away. Transportation of these stones would have been carried out using manual labour, since very little (4) ... (TECHNOLOGY) advancement had taken place at the time.

Stonehenge, the location of which is Salisbury Plain in England, is a prehistoric monument. Its construction took place in about 1,800 BCand is undoubtedly an amazing human (1) ... (ACHIEVE). It consists of two circles of huge stones, some of which weigh up to 50 tons. What makes Stonehenge all the more (2) ... (IMPRESS) is the fact that some of the stones (3)... (ORIGIN) came from Pembrokeshire, which is over 200 miles away. Transportation of these stones would have been carried out using manual labour, since very little (4) ... (TECHNOLOGY) advancement had taken place at the time.

The price of land in Tokyo is so high that its land area probably costs as much (1) ... the whole of California. (2) ... has never been (3) ... a demand for space in any place in the world! This lack of space has led to ‘capsule hotels’. The rooms are just capsules, measuring 1 m high, 76 cms wide and 2 m deep. However, you will be surprised to hear that they are equipped with phones, radio and TV. Moreover, they are less expensive than ordinary hotels. In brief, they provide you with all you need for a comfortable night’s sleep, even if they don’t give you an automatic wash and dry as (4) ...!

The price of land in Tokyo is so high that its land area probably costs as much (1) ... the whole of California. (2) ... has never been (3) ... a demand for space in any place in the world! This lack of space has led to ‘capsule hotels’. The rooms are just capsules, measuring 1 m high, 76 cms wide and 2 m deep. However, you will be surprised to hear that they are equipped with phones, radio and TV. Moreover, they are less expensive than ordinary hotels. In brief, they provide you with all you need for a comfortable night’s sleep, even if they don’t give you an automatic wash and dry as (4) ...!

The price of land in Tokyo is so high that its land area probably costs as much (1) ... the whole of California. (2) ... has never been (3) ... a demand for space in any place in the world! This lack of space has led to ‘capsule hotels’. The rooms are just capsules, measuring 1 m high, 76 cms wide and 2 m deep. However, you will be surprised to hear that they are equipped with phones, radio and TV. Moreover, they are less expensive than ordinary hotels. In brief, they provide you with all you need for a comfortable night’s sleep, even if they don’t give you an automatic wash and dry as (4) ...!

The price of land in Tokyo is so high that its land area probably costs as much (1) ... the whole of California. (2) ... has never been (3) ... a demand for space in any place in the world! This lack of space has led to ‘capsule hotels’. The rooms are just capsules, measuring 1 m high, 76 cms wide and 2 m deep. However, you will be surprised to hear that they are equipped with phones, radio and TV. Moreover, they are less expensive than ordinary hotels. In brief, they provide you with all you need for a comfortable night’s sleep, even if they don’t give you an automatic wash and dry as (4) ...!