AMERICA’S EMBASSY in Rome occupies the imposing(宏伟的，令人印象深刻的) Palazzo Margherita, the former residence of an ex-queen of Italy. But this year its flashiest events have been hosted on the Boardwalk, a 117-metre superyacht.(但今年，最引人注目的活动却在“Boardwalk”号上举行——一艘117米长的超级游艇。) With its teak(柚木) decks, twin helipads and swimming pools, spa and putting green, it is worth an estimated $450m. The owner is Tilman Fertitta, a Texan billionaire and Republican Party donor named as ambassador(被任命为大使) by Donald Trump. He has spent the summer of America’s 250th anniversary cruising the Italian coast.
美国驻罗马大使馆坐落于宏伟的马格丽塔宫，这里曾是意大利前王后的住所。但今年，最引人注目的活动却在“Boardwalk”号上举行——一艘117米长的超级游艇。它拥有柚木甲板、双直升机停机坪、游泳池、水疗中心和推杆果岭，估值约4.5亿美元。船主是蒂尔曼·费尔蒂塔，一位得克萨斯州亿万富翁、共和党捐赠人，被唐纳德·特朗普任命为大使。在美国建国250周年之际，他整个夏天都在意大利海岸巡航。
Mooring off Cefalù and Sorrento(意大利西西里岛和坎帕尼亚的著名旅游城镇), beneath an erupting(喷发的) Mount Etna and fireworks in Venice, the yacht has hosted receptions for politicians, business leaders and celebrities. Guests drink champagne from commemorative(纪念性的) “Freedom 250” flutes. In Naples they included the mayor, the president of Campania and the owner of the city’s football club. In Venice the yacht arrived under the watch of(在…的监视下) helicopters and rooftop snipers(狙击手), while activists staged protests against billionaire excesses(过度行为，奢靡).
游艇停泊在切法卢和索伦托附近，在埃特纳火山喷发和威尼斯烟花映照下，为政界人士、商界领袖和名流举办了招待会。宾客们用纪念版“自由250”香槟杯畅饮。在那不勒斯，来宾包括市长、坎帕尼亚大区主席和该市足球俱乐部老板。在威尼斯，游艇在直升机和屋顶狙击手的监视下抵达，同时活动人士举行了抗议活动，反对亿万富翁的奢靡之风。
In part, the Boardwalk is simply an extension of the ambassador’s official residence. But it also exemplifies(例证，体现) changes in American diplomacy. Ambassadors once projected(投射，展现) power through institutions and protocol(外交礼节，协议). Under Mr Trump, personal wealth and proximity(接近，亲近) to the president are at least as important. Mr Fertitta’s businesses include restaurants, casinos, hotels and the Houston Rockets basketball team. Just as Mar-a-Lago has become an unofficial White House, the yacht has become an unofficial embassy.(正如海湖庄园已成为非官方的白宫，这艘游艇也已成为非官方的大使馆。)
在某种程度上，“Boardwalk”号只是大使官邸的延伸。但它也体现了美国外交的变化。大使们曾经通过机构和礼宾来展示实力。在特朗普治下，个人财富和与总统的亲近程度至少同样重要。费尔蒂塔先生的业务包括餐厅、赌场、酒店和休斯顿火箭篮球队。正如海湖庄园已成为非官方的白宫，这艘游艇也已成为非官方的大使馆。