We arrived at the Hawaii Airport at last! Though I was very tired in the plane, I still took a look at the beautiful ocean and islands. Now it was the time for us to appreciate this beauty more closely. But of course we had to check out at the custom first.
It was a really unusual experience!
We had been told again and again that America has very strict rules for checking out. So we all know what we should and should not take with us. We had everything ready for the things we took into this country.
We still got into trouble!
Since there were 18 of us, we got checked at different passes. I was lucky to pass the first gate without any trouble, but the others of us were not so lucky. Many of them were asked to show their electronic tickets for their return flight. We had never thought of getting them then since we wouldn’t be leaving the country in nearly two months. Anyhow everyone got passed the first gate at last!
I was one of the first one to get to the second pass. But good luck never goes the same person twice. I had great trouble there.
It is against the American law to take more than 10,000 dollars of cash into America without a permission of the Chinese government. However every one of us had 10,000 dollars of cash with us. That would be all our expense in America. Of course we had the permission from our government. When the custom officer who checked me asked why it was I that took the money, I didn’t know what to say. Then I said because I was the best one in the group! He then sent two officers guarding me to a room to check my luggage thoroughly! He was very polite and said: “Since you have a lot of money, I am sure you don’t want anyone else to see your money. So these two officers will accompany you to the checking room.” But sir, do you know I just didn’t want you and your men to see my money!
Anyhow all of us passed the custom. I was one of the first to start my check out and one of the last to finish it!
Americans are really strict with their rules. Maybe it also means they have too much to fear!