How do you say "Ordeal" in Vietnamese?

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 7:13 a.m.

Steven and I left 569 Brownwood at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning, having spent most of the night and some of that morning finalizing our packing of three suitcases and one hiking pack that we were allowed on the plane at no charge. We loaded Lenette's truck up with the bags and our bikes, packed to ship, and headed to the airport. We arrived at the airport with our passports, wallets and confirmation numbers, a good start for us, and sailed smoothly through check-in and security, leaving us over two hours to spare. I was thrilled with the ease at which our trip had begun; Steven was wary.

Thirty minutes before our flight was to depart, Steven's sixth sense proved correct, as we listened to the announcement that our plane had a "mechanical situation" and that all international passengers would be routed onto different flights.

From a United flight through Hong Kong, we were transferred to a Korean Air flight through Seoul arriving 5 minutes before our previously scheduled arrival. We were assured that our bags would be transferred to our new flight and it would be a smooth transition. New tickets in hand, we boarded the train from our T gate down to E at the other end of the airport.

Upon check-in at our E gate for Korean Air we learned that we were required to present an over-sized baggage coupon from United Airlines to transfer our bike fee from United to Korean Air. So I got back on the train and headed to our T gate.

Upon arrival back at our T gate, I was told that such a coupon was not needed because we were a canceled flight transfer not an arrival transfer and the Korean Air people obviously had no clue what they were doing. Despite my request that they contact the Korean Air people or provide me with something in writing, they insisted that all I needed was my receipt and sent me back empty handed.

Upon arrival back at the Korean Air gate, I was told that a coupon was necessary and that the United Airlines people obviously had no clue what they were doing. After a lengthy conversation/argument between the representatives from the two airlines, we were informed that we would have to pay Korean Air $280 on top of the $300 we had already paid United and request a refund with an explanation letter from United for the money spent to transport our luggage on our canceled flight. Frustrated, but with no other options, as our new flight was boarding in 10 minutes, we paid the new fee.

Armed with our last American meal, a vegetarian burrito from Qdoba, Steven and I boarded our flight. A few minutes after settling in, we were approached by a flight attendant from Korean Air inquiring if I was Sharon Brown. When I responded affirmatively, he proceeded to tell us that our baggage was not on the flight. Apparently a dropped jaw is universal, because he immediately responded, "I am just the messenger! I am just the messenger!"

Five-hundred and eighty dollars, three suitcases, one backpack and two bikes lighter, we began our ascent into the beginning of our journey to Vietnam.