來源：The New York Times
網址：http://tinyurl.com/y7erjrxy
Inside the Royal Box at Wimbledon: Astronauts and V.I.P. Strawberries
溫布頓的皇家包廂：有太空人跟VIP草莓
WIMBLEDON, England — To be among the few who receive an invitation to watch
tennis from one of the 74 seats in the royal box at Wimbledon’s Centre Court
is akin to getting an acceptance letter from Hogwarts.
要接到邀請去只有74個座位的溫布頓皇家包廂大概跟接到霍格華茲的入學通知信一樣困
難。
“There is a view, among those who have attended the royal box, that it is
one of the most special experiences in sport,” said Alexandra Willis, the
head of communications for the All England Club. “It’s because of the fact
that it’s by invitation only — you can’t just decide it’s something you
want to attend.”
「光看在皇家包廂裡的人就已經是難得的經驗了，」全英俱樂部裡負責聯絡的Alexandra
Willis說到。「那是只有被邀請的人才可以來，那不是想參加就可以來的地方。」
The oak-lined royal box sits right behind the south baseline of the court,
clearly visible to spectators and cameras. While its placement is prominent,
its perks are protected.
用橡木內襯的皇家包廂座落在球場南邊，觀眾跟記者的鏡頭都很容易看見。雖然皇家包廂
的位置大家都看得到，但是它包含了什麼服務，卻不是那麼容易被知道。
“Keeping some mystery and not giving away too much of what that experience
is like” is important, Willis said.“The only people who really know are those
who have had it themselves,” she added.
「保持些許神秘感，不要讓外界知道皇家包廂體驗有哪些是很重要的，」溫網聯絡負責人
說到。「只有體驗過皇家包廂的人知道就好了。」
Many who had been invited are eager to divulge details, however. They often
consider the visit one of the most memorable occasions of their lives.
但是許多已經去過的都會等不及想說皇家包廂的細節，他們都認為這是人生難得的體驗。
Invitations arrive two to three months before the tournament and read:
“The Chairman and Committee of Management of The Championships request the
pleasure of the company of [name] & Guest in the Royal Box on [date].
“This invitation to the Royal Box includes lunch in the Clubhouse prior to
the commencement of play, afternoon tea and drinks at the end of the day.”
邀請函會在溫網開打前二到三個月就會收到，上面寫著：
「全英俱樂部主席以及委員會們敬邀[姓名]及賓客於[日期]至皇家包廂。」
「邀請您參加於俱樂部於比賽前的午餐，下午茶以及賽後的飲料會。」
There is a dress code: jackets and ties for men, and no skirts or dresses
ending above the knee for women.
這有服裝要求的：男生要穿外套跟領帶，女生不可以穿膝上的短裙或洋裝。
It is best to arrive by noon for the lunch, which is hosted by the club’s
chairman, Philip Brook, and his wife, Gill, before play, which begins at 1
p.m. on most days. Brook opens with a brief talk about the tournament and the
matches that guests will see on Centre Court that day.
最好在中午前到達，因為會由大會主席Philip Brook以及他的太太在開打前招待午餐，而
且主席會介紹當天的比賽。
The food served is substantial and decadent; several visitors mentioned
poached lobster as a favorite.
食物當然是好又讚；幾位參加過的說清蒸龍蝦是最好的其中之一。
Strawberries, the traditional snack of Wimbledon, are also offered, but not
merely those sold to other fans on the grounds. Royal box guests enjoy an
especially exquisite variety, called a Driscoll Jubilee, which is treasured
for its firmness and sweetness and reserved for their consumption.
溫布頓的傳統點心，草莓，也會提供，但是不是那些賣給一般觀眾的。皇家包廂享受的是
一種特別的草莓叫Driscoll Jubilee，以紮實及鮮甜聞名。
The group adjourns to the court 10 minutes before the first match begins and
stays there throughout the day. Afternoon tea is served from 3:45 p.m. to
5:15 p.m. For those wanting further nibbles, a small leather-bound bucket of
candies is discreetly passed through the box during play. If it becomes
chilly, as it often does, blankets arrive.
賓客會在開打前10分鐘進場直到比賽結束。下午茶會在3：45到5：15分提供；若是在比賽
中想吃點東西的，大會會在賽中提供一個小皮袋，內有糖果；如果天氣變冷，也會提供毛
毯。
Guests are assigned woven-wicker seats in the box, each with their name, a
commemorative program and a small gift. This year, the gift was a green
leather zippered bag embossed with the Wimbledon logo and the words “Royal
Box 2017.” Guests also receive sterling silver lapel pins and a
commemorative photograph of match action from that day’s play with the box
visible in the background, paired with a seating chart.
賓客會坐在編織椅套的椅子裡，上面都有繡他們的名字，擺放著節目單跟小禮物。今年是
個綠色皮製袋子，上面有溫布頓的標誌跟寫著「皇家包廂2017」。賓客也會收到一個銀製
別針跟一張照片，照片有當天比賽時所拍的球員打球照片，背景就是皇家包廂，同時有皇
家包廂座位表。
More than the amenities, what guests treasure most is the company. Ken
Solomon, the chairman and chief executive of Tennis Channel, called it “a
cross section of the most interesting people who are in the U.K. at that
moment.”
除了這些禮物及服務，賓客最珍惜的還是看皇家包廂裡還有哪些人參加。網球頻道Tennis
Channel的主席Ken Solomon稱這個聚會是一次看完當代英國最有趣人的地方。
Solomon said he could only compare the camaraderie of the shared experience
at Wimbledon to what he has felt as a guest of the American president.
他甚至稱可以跟這個聚會比肩的就是他去參加美國總統宴會的時候了。
“When you meet someone at the White House, it doesn’t matter who they are —
you know they are having one of the greatest days of their life as well,”
Solomon said. “No matter who you are, how important, you can’t buy your
way into that space, and there’s only a handful of people who are there, and
it’s very special. You’re going to remember it the rest of your life, and
you know they are, too.”
「當你在白宮碰到某個人，不管那個人是誰