又中又英｜A fish out of water

Don\'t be surprised if you see me walking around Sai Wan Ho like a fish out of water. I returned to Hong Kong last week and rented a Sai Wan Ho serviced apartment. I felt like a fish out of water the first few days searching for the MTR and supermarkets because I have never been to Sai Wan Ho. My studio apartment has all the trimmings of a comfortable temporary home. I have a small balcony overlooking Aldrich Bay, which is just across a narrow street. I sit on the balcony most evenings with a glass of whiskey!

If you feel like a fish out of water, it means you feel awkward or uncomfortable because you are in an unfamiliar place or situation. If a place or something has all the trimmings, it means it has many extra things added to make it more special. If a New Year’s Eve party has all the trimmings, it means it has many different types of food, alcohol, and music. My serviced apartment has all the trimmings of a home because it includes a coffee maker, electric kettle, rice cooker, pots and pans, electric stove, plates, bowls, knives, forks, toaster, iPad and more.

My trip back to Hong Kong lasted an eternity. If something lasts an eternity, it means it seems to last a very long time, especially because it is boring or unpleasant. I had a midnight flight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong with a stopover in Taipei. I had to take a long train ride from San Diego to Los Angeles, then an Uber to the airport for my long flight to Hong Kong!

若你见到我在西湾河附近游荡，像一条离了水的鱼一样（a fish out of water），不用太惊讶。我上星期回到香港，在西湾河租了一间服务式住宅。在头几天，我感觉如鱼失水（a fish out of water），四处寻找港铁站和超市，因为我从未到过西湾河。我的开放式单位拥有一个舒适临时家居的一切点缀（all the trimmings）。我有一个小阳台，能俯瞰对面的爱秩序湾，我的单位与它仅仅隔着一条窄街。许多个晚上我都拿着一杯威士忌，闲坐阳台上。

若你感到像 a fish out of water，意即因为你置身一个陌生的地方或环境，感到不安或不自在。若一个地方或某事物 has all the trimmings，意即它拥有一切附加的点缀或装饰，令它更为特别。若一个大除夕派对 has all the trimmings，意即它拥有各种各样的食物、酒品和音乐。我的服务式住宅单位拥有一个家居的all the trimmings，因为它包含了一个咖啡机、电热水壶、电饭煲、各款锅与平底镬、电磁炉、碗碟刀叉、多士炉、iPad和其他物件。

我回香港的那一程感觉像永恒（lasted an eternity）。若某事物 lasts an eternity，意即它像过了很长很长的时间，尤其因为它很沉闷或令人不快的。我乘搭的是从洛杉矶到香港的午夜班机，中途在台北转机。我得从圣地牙哥搭长途火车到洛杉矶，然后再搭一程Uber到机场，才能搭那程长途机回香港！

[email protected]
Michael Chugani褚简宁
中译：七刻