VOA常速英语:华盛顿纪念品店、酒店做好准备迎接特朗普就职

From luxury hotel rooms to Trump memorabilia,hotels and souvenir shops in Washington are gearing up for the President-elect supporters who are coming from across the United States.

Although some hotels still have rooms available,Washington’s top-rated and most expensive hotel, the Four Seasons, is sold out with special, much higher prices for the inauguration.

This presidential suites cost 16,000 dollars a night.And with a four-day minimum stay during inauguration week, the bill is warping 64,000 dollars.

“You have to have a certain standard of living to be able to afford during inauguration,a four-night minimum, with you know, a starting rate of 2,000 dollars.We have people from, you know, political parties.We have people from the business, you know side of things here.We also have you know, people from banks, people from all over really every single trade.”

“Are you prepared to take the oaths, senator?”

Notably missing will be many Hollywood celebrities who were prominent here during both of President Obama’s inaugurations.Most of the guests for the Trump inauguration will come from states that supported the president-elect,but there will be a few international visitors.

With the high price tag, come extra services.

“We’ve got hand warmers available for them, ride hats and things like that.Just things to make it more convenient for them.”

The hotel is also providing a daily gift to each room,culminating with this leather stationery box embossed in 24 karat gold with the symbol of the presidential seal.

While some inauguration visitors are receiving expensive gifts, others are buying cheaper souvenirs themselves.

Here at the privately-owned Washington Welcome Center,the store manager expects Trump items will be a big seller during inauguration week.The hottest items are Trump baseball caps.

“The Make America Great Again hat, basically the baseball caps are selling,I mean, we can’t keep them on the shelves.”

Some were purchased by these college students from Georgia, who are Trump supporters.

“I think he’s got some good qualities, and I know he has his bad qualities too.Then there is a lot of differences that people don’t agree with.I think he’ll bring a lot to the country as an economic status.And in a way of a businessman, I think he can do a lot for the economy.”

He is not the only one talking about politics in the store.After the election, both Republicans and Democrats have been expressing their views.

“The Republicans, they will come in, and they speak on money issues, whereas though the Democrats come in,they will seek out the problems and will talk about, you know, what’s on the news, like if they’re trying to cut Obamacare.”

And other many in strongly Democratic Washington DC are not happy to have Donald Trump in the White House.

His supporters at the inaugural activities may be sending post cards backing home, celebrating their choice for President.

Deborah Block, VOA news, Washington.