这个计划是突然的，我从来没想到我会这么快就来到南美。这是一个突如其来的计划，一个让我从未想过的旅程。原本，我怀揣着对澳大利亚的向往，计划填补疫情期间错过的一切，然而，命运却出人意料地给了我另一番安排。被澳大利亚签证官以国内约束力不足的理由拒签，这对我来说是个巨大的打击。在我眼中，这是一种耻辱，也是我第一次被拒签。然而，挫折并没有让我气馁，相反，我决定寻找另一条路，于是，南美洲成为了我的新目标。
This plan was sudden; I never expected to arrive in South America so quickly. It was an unexpected turn of events, a journey I had never imagined. Originally, with a longing for Australia, I planned to make up for everything missed during the pandemic. However, fate had a different arrangement in store for me. Rejected by Australian visa officers due to insufficient domestic constraints, it was a huge blow. In my eyes, it was a shame, and it marked the first time I was denied a visa. However, setbacks didn’t deter me. On the contrary, I decided to find another path, and South America became my new target.
每天，我都在家里不停地刷新美国飞往南美的机票，但由于中国刚刚开放边境，价格适中的机票几乎成了稀缺资源。在漫长的等待中，我终于找到了一张从香港飞往旧金山的机票，尽管价格不菲，但我决定踏上这段新的旅程。我从来没有预想到，这一趟的旅行我却遇到了许多无法预料的意外事件，若您有心继续看下去，您就会知道原因。
Every day, I kept refreshing the American flights to South America at home, but due to China’s recent border opening, reasonably priced tickets became scarce. After a long wait, I finally found a ticket from Hong Kong to San Francisco, albeit at a high price. Nonetheless, I decided to embark on this new journey. Little did I imagine, this trip would be fraught with unforeseen events.
首先我搭飞机前往深圳，由深圳陆路前往香港，经台北桃园机场中转，在十几个小时后终于到达了旧金山机场。没想到也是意外接连不断，经过美国海关时我因为太累，脑子昏昏沉沉的，稀里糊涂地对移民官员说我携带了3万美元。导致我的护照直接被移民官员锁在盒子里，我必须先提取我所有的行李然后被移交给海关进行进一步检查。接着我来到了海关区域，站在玻璃窗口前，一名官员问我带了多少现金，我说只有三百，但改名官员反问我刚才你过海关的时候不是说带了三万吗？我说我因为太累了，一时紧张可能答错，然后才顺利入境美国。
First, I boarded a flight to Shenzhen, then traveled by land to Hong Kong, and transited through Taipei Taoyuan Airport before finally arriving at San Francisco Airport after several hours. Unexpectedly, there were continuous surprises. Exhausted, I mistakenly told immigration officers that I was carrying $30,000, resulting in my passport being locked away, necessitating the retrieval of all my luggage and further inspection by customs. Then, I found myself at the customs area, standing in front of the glass window. An officer asked me how much cash I had, and I said only three hundred. However, the officer questioned me, saying that I had mentioned thirty thousand earlier. I explained that I was tired and nervous, possibly answering incorrectly. Eventually, I managed to enter the United States.
这还没结束呢，刚一出机场我立马回想起来，糟了我的文件袋被我遗留在海关的桌子上。可真是祸不单行啊，我马上去机场的问询处寻求帮助，并且借用他们的电话给机场海关打了电话，机场海关告诉我不能反回海关去，但可以寻求航空公司帮助，请他们帮我的文件夹带回来。根据他们的指示我去寻求华航帮助，他们地勤人员的态度还算不错，经过沟通我的文件袋最终送回到了我的手上。然而，即使面对困境，我也没有放弃，而是努力寻找解决问题的办法。接下来就是漫长的夜晚，我打算在旧金山候机楼直接过夜，他们的椅子是可以平躺的，这一点很赞。
The ordeal wasn’t over yet. Just as I exited the airport, I realized I had left my document pouch on the customs desk. Adding to my woes, the airport officials informed me that they couldn’t return to the customs area but suggested seeking assistance from the airline. Following their instructions, I sought help from China Airlines. Despite the adversity, I persevered, seeking solutions. Then came the long night; I decided to spend it at San Francisco Airport, where the chairs were surprisingly comfortable for sleeping.
第二天，准备值机前往波哥大，航空公司是美国航空，由于他们不确定我离境哥伦比亚的车票是否可以作为换取登记皮的依据，因此在等机牌换取的过程中浪费了很多时间，差评！没办法为了尽快值机，我只好赶紧现场买一张可退的机票，马上交给地勤人员换取登机牌。因为前面的过程耽误的时间太多，导致我可能错过我的登记时间。在通过安检时我想要向案件人员说明情况，希望尽快通过安检。结果被一个黑人中年妇女安检员一顿无理由的训斥，我认为这又不是我的错，当下感觉很委屈很懊恼。老实说，在机场服务这一块比中国做的差远了，在中国若乘客很紧急，一般都会安排优先通过，旧金山机场做的太差！
The next day, preparing to check-in for Bogotá, I encountered another hurdle. The airline, American Airlines, was unsure if my Colombian departure ticket could serve as proof for check-in. This uncertainty wasted precious time during the boarding process. To expedite the check-in, I hastily purchased a refundable ticket on-site and handed it over to the ground staff. Due to the delay, I risked missing my check-in time. As I tried to explain my situation at security, I faced unjustified reprimand from a middle-aged African American woman officer. It felt unfair, adding to my frustration. Frankly, airport services were subpar compared to China, where urgent passengers are usually prioritized. San Francisco Airport fell short in this aspect!
终于顺利登上飞机，从旧金山飞往达拉斯中转，结果在到达达拉斯之后，我的下一个航班被通知取消。于是我前往美国航空的柜台寻求工作人员的帮助，一开始他们说因为天气原因取消他们无能为力，只能尽快帮我安排到下一个航班。我当时就傻眼了，因为最快的也要等到24小时之后的同一个航班。我问她我该怎么办，我不可能在机场待24个小时，因为我没有地方睡觉，也没有东西可以吃，等等。她犹豫了一下说那我跟你申请机场消费券和免费住宿。得到这些补偿之后，我自己给酒店打电话让他们来接我，结果酒店就是不开车来，声称因为恶劣天气没办法来接我，可是我看到我身边许多旅客他们的酒店都来接他们。我在航站楼下等了整整2个小时酒店也没派人也没来接我，在等待的过程中我就跟一个也在等车的空乘聊了起来，他听闻我的遭遇之后告诉我需要马上去找工作人员换一个酒店。于是我就照做了，跑去跟柜台的工作人员抱怨，柜台的人了解情况后没多说就给我换了一家酒店，并且给我打出租车的抵扣券。早知道这样为什么不直接给我出租车的抵扣券呢。
Finally on board, flying from San Francisco to Dallas for a layover, I received notice of the cancellation of my next flight upon reaching Dallas. Seeking assistance from American Airlines, initially, they cited weather conditions as the cause, claiming they couldn’t do much. The earliest available flight was after 24 hours, leaving me dumbfounded. I couldn’t spend 24 hours at the airport with no place to sleep or food to eat. After some hesitation, the staff offered me airport vouchers and free accommodation. Using these compensations, I arranged for a hotel transfer, but to my dismay, the hotel refused to send a car, citing severe weather conditions. However, I noticed other travelers being picked up by their respective hotels. Waiting for two hours with no sign of the hotel’s shuttle, I struck a conversation with a flight attendant also waiting for transport. Upon hearing my ordeal, he advised me to request a different hotel immediately. Following his advice, I approached the counter and, after explaining the situation, was promptly assigned a different hotel, along with taxi vouchers. Why didn’t they provide taxi vouchers in the first place lol.
于是，我就下楼前往打计程车的区域等待计程车。房间很大，是双人床。由于实在是太累了，到达酒店以后我就洗漱休息了。第二天早上九点钟提供免费的早餐，我一直在酒店待到下午才乘坐酒店的专车前往机场，在机场顺利重新值机以后，等待两小时后终于登上了前往波哥大的飞机。
Downstairs, waiting for a cab, I reflected. The room was spacious, with a double bed. Exhausted, upon reaching the hotel, I freshened up and rested. The next morning, I had a complimentary breakfast and stayed in the hotel until the afternoon before taking the hotel’s shuttle back to the airport. After smoothly checking in again at the airport, and waiting for two hours, I finally boarded the flight to Bogotá.
这段旅程充满了挑战和意外，但我相信，这些经历将成为我人生中宝贵的财富，塑造我更加勇敢、坚韧的品格。现在，我即将踏上波哥大的土地，开始我的南美洲之旅。这是一个神秘而充满活力的地方，我期待着探索它的每一个角落，领略它的风土人情。我期待着能够体验到这个城市的独特魅力。我听说波哥大是南美洲最大的城市之一，也是哥伦比亚的首都，因此充满了无尽的探索和发现之旅。我已经做好了准备，去发现这个城市的每一个角落，感受它的文化和历史。
This journey was filled with challenges and surprises, but I believe these experiences will be valuable assets, shaping me into a more courageous and resilient individual. Now, I’m about to set foot in Bogotá, ready to begin my adventure in South America. It’s a mysterious and vibrant place, and I look forward to exploring every corner, experiencing its culture and history. I’ve heard that Bogotá is one of the largest cities in South America and the capital of Colombia, promising endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. I’m prepared to uncover every facet of this city, immersing myself in its charm.
在波哥大的旅程中，我相信我将会遇到许多意想不到的挑战和困难。但我也相信，通过努力和坚持，我将能够克服一切困难，收获一段难忘的旅程。我期待着在这个充满活力和魅力的城市里，开启一段全新的冒险之旅。最后，我要说，旅行不仅是一种体验，更是一种心灵的洗礼。
During my time in Bogotá, I anticipate encountering many unexpected challenges and difficulties. However, I also believe that with effort and perseverance, I’ll overcome them all, gaining an unforgettable experience. I look forward to embarking on a new adventure in this dynamic and charismatic city. Lastly, I want to say that travel is not just an experience; it’s also a spiritual journey.
