Notes:
the Persian Empire ペルシア帝国
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May 9 is “Ice Cream Day” in Japan. It started in Japan in 1965, but the first ice cream was sold in Japan much earlier, about 100 years ago. I thought ice cream was something modern. However, the history of ice cream may go back 2,500 years to the Persian Empire. The Chinese seem to have eaten a kind of ice dessert for over 1,000 years. For most of history, ice cream was a dessert for rich and powerful people. Then, someone started selling it at a station in Britain in the 1800s. Now, it is popular around the world, a favorite dessert. (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)

Notes:
Vietnamese ベトナムの；
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When I travel, I always like to try something new. I was in Portland, Oregon, with some students from my university. Friday was a hot day, and they wanted to have ice cream. The nearest place was a Vietnamese take-out restaurant. I saw a sign for an avocado milk shake. At first, I wasn’t sure. It didn’t sound good to me. Then someone who lived in Portland said that it was good, so I tried it. It was a little sweet but very refreshing. Then next time I see it, I will order it again. (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)