VOA标准英语2011--Libyans Mark Eid with Optimism, Sadness

Libyans Mark Eid with Optimism, Sadness

Libyans began their celebration of Eid al Fitr Wednesday with conflicting feelings about the holiday marking the end of Ramadan.
Libyan Wahabi Mohamed Yemeni won't be celebrating this Eid el Fitr holiday with the joy the end of Ramadan usually brings.
"Our family, we [celebrate] can't, because we're sad," said Yemeni. "No one [is] dead from our family. But our family, the same [Libyan] family, have dead people. Libya [is] one family."
During the battle for Tripoli, as rebels entered the capital, Yemeni's neighborhood came under fire from forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi.
"Saturday we had many snipers here, here and here," explained Yemeni.
While none in his immediate¹ circle were killed, some were wounded. His neighbor took a bullet through the hip².
"It came in here and went out here," Yemeni recalled.
His brother was shot while coming home from evening prayer.
Yemeni, who runs a delivery business, took up arms during the chaotic³ days Gadhafi's forces were routed. He says he never had to shoot anyone, but was willing to if it meant protecting those around him.
"We'll do anything for the safety of my family, the safety of my people, for country, from Gadhafi. Anything," added Yemeni.
Men like Yemeni seem to have accomplished⁴ much of that, but there's much more still to be done.
Running water in Tripoli is in short supply. Electricity is sporadic⁵. And food for this Eid al Fitr holiday is scant⁶.
"People these days eat what the sheep eats," Yemeni said.
Yemeni understands the current shortages; the uprising has lasted six months. It's more the relative poverty of the past decades that makes him angry. Libya under Gadhafi, he points out, had no shortage of oil wealth.
"This fancy hotel - this big hotel - this hotel is for presidents. And behind us poor people. You can see how the poor people live," he noted⁷.
But what makes him angriest of all was living under a man he believes was crazy.
"It was bad, bad, bad dream for the Libyans," Yemeni explained.
That nightmare, it seems, is likely over, making this first Eid without their longtime leader especially sweet.
"We wake up in the day without Gadhafi! Smell the free! Smell the free!" exclaimed Yemeni.

1 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

2 hip   

n.臀部，髋；屋脊

参考例句：

• The thigh bone is connected to the hip bone.股骨连着髋骨。
• The new coats blouse gracefully above the hip line.新外套在臀围线上优美地打着褶皱。

3 chaotic   

adj.混沌的，一片混乱的，一团糟的

参考例句：

• Things have been getting chaotic in the office recently.最近办公室的情况越来越乱了。
• The traffic in the city was chaotic.这城市的交通糟透了。

4 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。

5 sporadic   

adj.偶尔发生的 [反]regular；分散的

参考例句：

• The sound of sporadic shooting could still be heard.仍能听见零星的枪声。
• You know this better than I.I received only sporadic news about it.你们比我更清楚，而我听到的只是零星消息。

6 scant   

adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略

参考例句：

• Don't scant the butter when you make a cake.做糕饼时不要吝惜奶油。
• Many mothers pay scant attention to their own needs when their children are small.孩子们小的时候，许多母亲都忽视自己的需求。

7 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。