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20 Voting Day in San Rico
圣黎各的投票日
Initially, I balked at my editor's request that I cover the presidential elections in San Rico.
一开始主编让我报道圣黎各举行的总统选举时，我犹豫不决。
San Rico was known for its bandits.
圣黎各以其土匪之多闻名。
Just one year ago, we had been banned from traveling there because of the danger.
一年前，当地政府就是因为太危险才禁止人们来圣黎各旅游的。
This year, the government promised political reforms and crime control.
今年，政府承诺进行政治改革同时打击犯罪。
Could thing have changed so much in only one year?
仅一年的时间情况就会有所改观吗？
Not in my mind.
我看未必。
I imagined the worst.
我做了最坏的打算：
I anticipated burly bald man wearing bandannas, riding around on motorcycles and harassing voters.
我指望看到些戴大手帕的高大秃顶男人，他们骑着摩托车四处骚扰投票者；
I pictured a bankrupt candidate, making a banal speech to a bored crowd, and claiming that his bankruptcy would not interfere with his government duties.
我想象着一个破产的候选人的样子，人们不耐烦的听着他乏味的演说，他还一面声明破产不会影响他执政；
I even expected the ballot box to be wrapped in barbed wire, with blood dripping from some of the barbs.
我甚至能看到裹着钢丝网的投票箱，血液正从倒钩上一滴滴落下来。
What I didn’t expect was a bandmaster and the bang of a drum!
但我万万没想到会有乐队指挥和击鼓声！
When our foreign press plane arrived in San Rico, we were greeted by a cheering crowd and a marching band.
当外报记者搭乘的飞机到达圣黎各时，迎接我们的是欢呼的人群和行进中的乐队，
There was even a bald eagle.
甚至还有一直秃头鹰。
The bandleader led us from the plane, through the throngs of smiling people, and into the packed center of the city.
乐队指挥领着我们走下飞机，穿过面带微笑的人们，来到人山人海的市中心。
There was big red banners hanging from every building, encouraging people to vote.
每座建筑物上都挂有鼓励人们投票的红色大标语。
Secure voting booths stood on every corner with people standing in long lines to cast their ballot.
每一条街道拐角处都有安全的投票亭，在那里，人们排着长队等候投票。
I had never seen so much enthusiasm for an election.
我还从未见过对选举这般热衷的场面。
It was a new and exciting beginning for the people of San Rico.
对圣黎各人民而言，这是一个崭新而又令人兴奋的开端。
I reported it all in my story and faxed it back to my editor.
我全面报道了这一切，然后将稿子传真给主编。
After attending a wonderful banquet, I found myself sitting at a bar, listening to the banter about the election.
参加完一个丰盛的晚宴后，我在一家酒吧坐了下来，听人们戏说今天的选举。
