We slept pretty well after we arrived at the apartment and got settled. We went downstairs to Cafe Ciau (sp?) and had breakfast. We both ordered an "American" breakfast. Mine was bacon and eggs and, like, a half loaf of french bread. Dallas ordered his with sausage instead of bacon. The waiter asked what kind of sausage (in his version of English). We didn't know how to answer so Dallas kind of just said, "Yes" and the waiter went away. What arrived was a hotdog! All was well because Dallas reports that the hotdog/sausage was good. We also had a version of orange juice that was tasty but warm. It was served in a festive champagne style flute though, so how can you complain? We're starting to get better with the currency conversion although we still use a calculator for the big math.
We met the group of other adoptive families and Sandy and Paul (Adoptions from the Heart facilitators) and their FOUR kids around 11:30. As of yesterday there were two other families with us (Monique and Michael from Reading, PA and Marybeth and Mark from Connecticut). We're still waiting on Karen and her husband Jeff from Chicago; they were scheduled to arrive last night. I think it would be hard to get up and pick up your new child after only a few hours sleep after a 26 hour trip. More power to them.
Sandy and Paul and the kids were great. They took us on a walking tour of the city - at least within in 10-15 block area. The thing that stands out the most about the city, aside from the oppressive heat, is the traffic. There are scooters with as many as 3 or 4 people on each one EVERYWHERE. Thousands of them, going in every direction along with busses, taxis and the occasional car. There are really no traffic laws to speak of so everything just kind of flows. When crossing the street as a pedestrian, you just walk off the curb and go. Magically, the scooters go around you. Everyone is constantly blowing their horns (which in Ho Chi Minh City, if you blow your horn, it's license to drive in any direction on any street at any time). It was truly amazing to be a part of that system. If you've driven in Boston or New Jersey, it's similar. :-) Just kidding, the Vietnamese drivers would eat the Americans for lunch.
We ate lunch at the New World Hotel which is where President Bush and his entourage stayed when they were here. They had a really interesting buffet, to say the least.
There are tiny shops on every street. Dallas bought a Polo (or "Polo") shirt on the street for $5 American. We learned about a half-block away that he could have gotten it for $3 at another shop. I think I'm being too generous when I use the word, "shop." They're very small and VERY full of merchandise. We also got a quick tour of the famous Ben Thanh Market. You'll just have to see the pictures to believe this place. Picture a flea market with endless rows of people selling absolutely anything you can think of.
A couple notes about our apartment... the shower curtain isn't big enough to go completely around the tub. The water pressure is amazing! It could knock you down. The shower is handheld so you have to be careful that you don't spray down the entire room. Also, the drain is S-L-O-W so you have to be quick or you'll fill the tub. We have lots of tv channels from all over the world and plenty of American ones (we have "Friends" on right now).
So, that's about it for Day 1. It's been a great trip so far. We really did enjoy our first whole day in Vietnam.
We're starting Day 2 now. We're leaving in 30 minutes to go to the orphanage to get Logan! We miss you all and can't wait to bring our boy home for you to meet. Talk soon.
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