Is it real enough?
Joining a new company, shifting cities, meeting new colleagues, exploring new your new city on weekend. What is not familiar about this story? Well, nothing. We all have shifted cities or seen new people coming to our cities. This is commonly occurring scenario in our lives and you can expect to be on either side of this conversation sooner or later.
Here is a detailed analysis of one such situation, where a newly shifted colleague seeks your advice.
“Your colleague is new in town. He loves trekking and so do you. You want to share your experience of trekking in and around the city.”
Read on to find the overall flow, specific vocabulary ,phrases , expressions that can be used for an effective and fluent conversation on this topic.
Your guide to having an engaging conversation!!!
A conversation has specific phases that it goes through.Here is a quick look on what we are going to cover to stir up a smooth conversation
Content : What is it you are going to talk about?
Use the wh questions along with the key words to help you put together the content.
- Where did you go ? – Kalsubai Peak, Sinhagad Fort, Vikatghad
- How was the experience? – Memorable, Adventurous, Tiring.
- Who did you go with?- Friends, Colleagues, Group
- Where did you stay?- Camp, Hotel
- How did you go?- Drive, Took a flight
Contextual Vocabulary
Choosing Vocabulary to suit the particular context or scenario. In this case, it is a weekend trip. This is where you weave in the content using the right vocabulary, Phrases, Metaphors and Similes and frame into well-structured sentences.
Some words you can choose from related to trekking
- Trekking club
- Trekking Equipment
- Trails
- Endurance
- Adventure
- Nature
- Altitude
- Meadows
- Adventure
- Backpacking
- Elevation
- Campsites
- Bulky Gear
- Mountain
Expressions for describing a trek
- Outstanding cliff-top view of the hills and lakes
- Trail starts climbing, moderating and dropping at points
- Hills are ablaze in color
- Scenic and wild
- Sections of trail that is challenging
- Descended the trail
- Barrier of bushes and trees on either sides
- Easy to navigate
- Intersecting roads
- Serene natural beauty, lush green forests, crystal clear springs and stars twinkling through the night
Some examples of phrases if you talk about a trekking equipment
- Insulated, waterproof Gloves
- Durable backpack
- Fit is excellent and highly adjustable backpack
- Insulated water bottle holders
- Hiking shoes that has a toothy lugged sole that provides excellent traction
- Roomy forefoot to keep your toes comfortable.
- Ultralight tents
- These tents Provides privacy and protection from wind
Organizing the Content : Putting it all together for a smooth flow in conversation
Now that we have the know what to talk and the words to choose, let us put it in a logical order
Initiate the conversation by talking about where you went.
“ I went to ….. For a trek this weekend”
Explain how you reached the place.
“ It is best accessible by road. Or you could fly down to … airport which is the nearest to …. And from there you can take a taxi. It takes around 3 hours by road.
Describe 5 things you really liked about the place. This can include some facts as well.
- What is good about this trek is that unlike other treks in and around the state, we Pass through the remote villages. The local villages offer homestay to trekkers for a minimal cost.
- <name of point> where most people get back. The trek from here onwards is tough but I would not say its impossible if you have the right gear and lots of energy bars stashed in your backpack. It is worth it because from top you can see the splendid view of the <name> ranges.
- What is nice about this trek is that it offers a variety of trekking trails making it perfect for beginners and expert trekkers.
- If you are into photography, do not miss capturing photos at these points…. <name of the places>
- Stop by at this little shop on the way back. Perfect place to buy…
You have visited the place, you have first hand experience of trekking there. It is imperative that you give some tips based on your experience.
“ As much as you are tempted to stop at the trail on the way from the airport, avoid doing it. The trail gets extremely dangerous after 5 pm. Come again the next day. Will take hardly 30 min from the city.”
“ I would not recommend… restaurant . Not worth the money”
“Don’t forget to pack your trekking pole. There are many steep ascends and descends on the trek.”
“ It is a plastic free zone. Don’t carry plastic bottles or any other plastic wrapped packaged item. You aren’t allowed to throw them once used and that ultimately adds on to the baggage weight”
Give information on necessary resources – like shop where to buy trekking gear from, clubs to join, whatsapp groups that post regular updates
The Model Answer
We went to Balleshwar Pali temple. parked our car there and started our trek. So, there are two ways which leads to the top of the fort – North and from south. Since we had a lot of beginners in our group, we took the north route. It is a little easy because it gradually inclines. But yes towards the end of the climb there are huge rocks that we need to climb and they are pretty steep and it needs some basic rock climbing skills. This was the most interesting part of the climb as per me… hopping from one boulder to the other. Got pretty hot up there.. no trees at all. It was all worth it. View from up there was beautiful. You can see these neighboring lush green hills around you and the tiny village down from there. The fort it itself has a huge history attached to it. Read about it before you head there. It was given a new look apparently during Shivaji’s rule. If you talk to the villagers they can tell you a lot about it. And yes they refer to it as Pagadicha Killa – Pagadi meaning turban.
I know you love camping but this one is not ideal to camp. Planning a camping trip next weekend. I will tell you how that goes or better still – Join us !
