然而它们的造型，僵硬呆板， 不像大自然的山峦，鬼斧神工，有着美妙的线条，蕴含着迷人的神韵。
They are stiff and stereotyped in form, unlike real mountains which are a masterwork of nature with beautiful lines and implicit enchanting grace.
不过，生活在北京市的平民百姓，如果能够在这灰色的或者绿色 的，或者别的什么颜色的高楼里，拥有一个展于自己的空间，不论是 大是小，只要它是独立的，能够无拘无束地生活着Q，也就满足了。
Nevertheless, the common people of Beijing will be content with housing accommodation, big or small, in a high-rise of gray, green or other color, where they can enjoy the ease and privacy of their own home.
有时走在马路上，仲首遥望居住的那座楼宇，找到第17层那几 扇属于自己和自己亲人的窗户，就觉得那个叫做"家"的地方，其实 更像一个"鸟巢"。
As I identify my window on the 17th floor, I realize what we call our "home" is in fact more like a \*bird's nest." It's cubical like a box.
因为它方方正正，像一个匣子，虽然它被夹在第 16层与第18层之间，却总是觉得它好像是被高高地吊在半空中，上 不着天，下不着地。
Sandwiched in between the 16th and the 18th floor, it's like something hanging high up in mid-air, touching neither the nor the earth.
作为人类的家园，它似乎是太高了一点儿。
Apparently, a it's a bit too high for a human domicile.
因此常常羡慕鸟儿，它们能够自由自在地飞翔，如果它们把巢筑在 第17层上面，也能舒展开自己的双翼，款款地飞回去"。
If they had a nest built on the 17th floor of our building, they could also fly back to it light-heartedly and then stand enjoying a leisurely view of crowds milling about in the streets.
而电梯又受制于电的有无，或 有没有故障(它常有故障），以及开电梯的小姐是否坐在岗位上。
So I have to the elevator in the building to get back to my 'nest." And, mind you, depends upon the uninterrupted supply of electric power, the trouble-free condition of the elevator (which often has troubles) and the presence of the girl elevator operator on duty.
不像 鸟儿那般自由，一切由它自己做主，想要出门就出门，想要归巢就归巢。
Unlike birds, I can't always act as think fit, leaving or coming back to my "nest"" freely as I please.
坐在窗前的写字台前伏案工作，会忽然听见"咕，咕，咕"的悦 耳声音，拾头一望，原来是两只白色的鸽子站在窗外的窗沿上，正在 亲昵地对话。
Sometimes, sitting at my desk before the window, I will suddenly hear a soft cooing sound and, looking up, I find a pair of white doves billing and cooing on the outer windowsill.
我不愿惊扰它们，便静静地坐在那里，欣赏它们的漂 亮形体与温柔姿态。
Unwilling to alarm them, I will sit quietly admiring their elegant shape and gentle carriage.
待它们亲热地谈得够了の，就会转过小巧的头颅， 用它们那双明亮的小眼睛，与我对视。
At end of their rendezvous, they will turn their heads and exchange stares with me, their tiny eyes glistening.
每逢这时，我就很想告诉它们， 我是多么地喜欢鸽子，毕加索笔下的那只名鸽，其实远不如真实的鸽 子美丽。
I will, on such occasions, be very eager to let them know how I love doves and that the famous dove painted by Picasso is far less beautiful than real doves.
我还会产生错觉，不知是这对鸽子还是自己，正住在"鸟巢" 里，也不知我与它们是否同类。
I will feel confused as to who should be the real dweller of the "nest' the pair of doves or me, and Whether we are of the same kind.
它们的小脑袋里想些什么，我一无所 知，反正是等到它们流连得够了，就展翅飞翔，飞回到属于它们自己 的巢里，那个鸟巢比我的"鸟巢〞平方米略少，不过也是悬在半空， 悬在对面那座塔楼的一家住户的阳台上。
It is somewhat smaller than mine by several square meters, but is also hanging in midair, over the balcony of a residence in the opposite tower building.
除了鸽子之外，也有麻雀造访我的窗台。
In addition to doves, sparrows also frequent my windowsill.
它们叽叽喳喳，跳跳蹦蹦，全然不顾有人正从窗户的另一 面望着它们，很像一群喜爱游玩的活泼孩子。
They will come singly, in pairs Or groups, chirping and hopping about like playful kids, totally impervious to any peeper behind the window.
它们的家不知筑在何 处，好像比鸽子的家距离远些。
The whereabouts of their home is unknown, but apparently it is farther than that of doves.
这些客人光顾我的"鸟巢"，让第17层的高空有了魅力。
The visit of these guests to my "nest" has lent great charm to the 17th floor.
有时站 在窗户里面向外望去，常常看见鸟儿们在窗外飞翔，这种景象使自己 几乎忘记了是被围困在水泥筑成的方格子里。
Often, when see birds flying beyond my window, I will forget I am living in the prison cell of a cement-poured home.
可是，只要俯首下望，大城市的单调景色就会一目了然--马路 很像一条灰色的带子，形形色色的汽车和无轨电车像大大小小的甲壳 虫，慢慢地向前蜗动，很久才能走到视线之外。
It takes quite a while for cars of all descriptions and trolleybuses to move along slowly like beetles of various sizes until they are out of sight.
远处是层层叠叠的楼群。
Nearer in sight are dull grey rooftops, and farther on stand row upon row of buildings.
很 想变成一只鸟，从这座"鸟巢〞中飞出去，飞到森林中去，飞到大海 边去，飞到崇山峻岭中去，飞到一切有花有草有树有水，惟独没有水 泥和汽车尾气的地方去。
Green trees are so lovely that we can scarcely take our off them.
Wish I could become a bird so that I could fly off from this "nest" to forest, the sea, the mountain, or to any place with flowers, grass, trees and water, but without cement and tail exhaust.
去享受一下没有污染的清新空气，去享受一 下没有噪音的宁静氛围，去享受一下没有撒过漂白粉的清澈溪水四， 去寻找一个没有是非，没有烦扰，没有摩擦，没有争权夺利，没有勾 心斗角，没有尔虞我诈的干净去处。
It would be a place where could enjoy unpolluted fresh air, quiet atmosphere free from noise- pollution, pure water from a limpid brook.
我们的外国朋友是住在旅馆里的，什么东西都不缺少。
Our foreign friends, putting up at hotels, were provided with everything they needed.