We're in Hanoi now

Tuesday, Dec 2 11:35 am

We spent Saturday and Sunday relaxing in Ho Chi Minh City before we left for Hanoi early Monday morning. I've copied a short video of Isabel and Evan playing together the night before we left Ho Chi Minh. They really get along very well and they are so cute together. I hope the video works for you to see.

I took this picture of Isabel at the Marriott because she had discovered all the bowls of candy the hotel had in the lobby. Every time we went by one she would say, "Mom, wait a minute, I'll be right back." She would go over to a bowl of candy and take one, and then come back to show me what she had found. Then she would say, "I'll save it for later." However, within 5 minutes, she'd pull it out of her pocket and eat it.

I'm glad my mom is with us because Evan really likes her. She is able to care for him so I can get some things done or look after Isabel. He likes Grandpa, too, but he doesn't like grandpa's beard ... neither does Isabel. She says it scratches her.

We went to see this temple on Sunday afternoon. It is called the Jade Pagoda and is very old. I don't remember how old. Typical to other temples I visited in China, there are beggars outside the gates looking for money or food. Once you pass into the gates, there are various statues and symbols of the religion. Inside, it is dark and the air is filled with the smell of incense. There are people praying to their gods in the different chambers. I'm not sure what gods were in this pagoda but there were many people praying to them.



On Monday morning, we arrived in Hanoi. We are staying in a resident type hotel on the edge of the older Hoan Kiem district. When we arrived, the Hanoi Hilton was pointed out to us next door to the hotel. From my bedroom, I can see part of the complex from the window. I took a picture of it, but it's not the best. My window has some sort of dark film on it and the picture looks dark. Hopefully, we will go and see it later today.


But, before we go anywhere, I have an appointment at the US Embassy with the Immigration Officer. He/She will interview me for Evan's immigration visa. I was told the interview should be routine, but I'm still a little nervous because the Immigration Officer is the person who approves the visa. Since he was abandoned, I don't have any information on his birth mother or family. The interview should be pretty short.


Once Evan's visa is issued, we are free to return to the US. It is possible we could get the visa this afternoon. If we do, we may try and see if we can return on Wednesday or Thursday. It would be nice to get home early.

While I've been writing this post, Isabel has been telling me (1000 times) she needs scissors and tape so she can make something. So, we are off to the grocery store next door to find them before we can do anything else. My sanity depends on me finding scissors and tape!!