Well, after our first full day in Hanoi, we have decided this place is WILD!! We managed to leave the confines (comfort zone) of our hotel and venture out on to the streets of Hanoi. And boy- oh boy- it was an ADVENTURE!! We stopped by the desk to get a map of downtown Hanoi, met Jason and Dana and we were OFF. We walked down a few blocks and seriously-- it is SENSORY overload. They have everything in the world for sale-- crazy looking fruits and GORGEOUS flowers right next to big screen tvs, and LG appliances. The drivers are honking their horns FURIOUSLY and people on motorcycles zoom in and out of traffic.
We walked for a while and found our destination-- Hoan Kiem Lake. The lake is beautiful and it felt great to be out of the sun and feel some breeze. We walked all around the lake and looked at all the stores coming off the various streets that branch off the lake in every direction imaginable. We bought water from a street vendor-- bottled of course and enjoyed our leisurely pace.
We also decided to cross the famous red food bridge which cost us 3000 dong or roughly 20 cents/piece to cross. After we got to the other side, we got to visit a temple and shopped at a few little shops. The stuff to buy is really neat- lots of little knick-knacky things and the prices are amazing!! We then sat by the lake and just watched people. Several vendors tried to sell us stuff and the CUTEST old lady asked that we buy stuff from her. She sold us her fan and lots of little noisemakers-- we got everything for under $2.
Next, it was back to the hotel to shop at the stores there for a bit. After shopping we met Emilie and her mom in the lobby with Ellie and the six of us had lunch over at Al Fresco's. The food was American style and there were lots of yummy looking offerings. We even had the ice cream for dessert.
Following lunch, we met up with Emilie and Ellie for a brief visit at the pool at our hotel and then it was back to the room for a BREAK!!
We heard from Cherie our travel adviser who informed us we would be picked up at 9am for a VERY long and busy day in which we will meet Iyla for the first time. We are VERY excited. After we meet the baby and spend a little time at the orphanage, we will go to the Giving and Receiving Ceremony. This is the final part of the Vietnamese side of the adoption and it is necessary for the completion of every other part of the adoption.
It is sure to be a LONG, physically demanding, emotionally draining day but we are happy for this day to FINALLY have arrived. In a few short hours, we will become parents-- amazing.
We walked for a while and found our destination-- Hoan Kiem Lake. The lake is beautiful and it felt great to be out of the sun and feel some breeze. We walked all around the lake and looked at all the stores coming off the various streets that branch off the lake in every direction imaginable. We bought water from a street vendor-- bottled of course and enjoyed our leisurely pace.
We also decided to cross the famous red food bridge which cost us 3000 dong or roughly 20 cents/piece to cross. After we got to the other side, we got to visit a temple and shopped at a few little shops. The stuff to buy is really neat- lots of little knick-knacky things and the prices are amazing!! We then sat by the lake and just watched people. Several vendors tried to sell us stuff and the CUTEST old lady asked that we buy stuff from her. She sold us her fan and lots of little noisemakers-- we got everything for under $2.
Next, it was back to the hotel to shop at the stores there for a bit. After shopping we met Emilie and her mom in the lobby with Ellie and the six of us had lunch over at Al Fresco's. The food was American style and there were lots of yummy looking offerings. We even had the ice cream for dessert.
Following lunch, we met up with Emilie and Ellie for a brief visit at the pool at our hotel and then it was back to the room for a BREAK!!
We heard from Cherie our travel adviser who informed us we would be picked up at 9am for a VERY long and busy day in which we will meet Iyla for the first time. We are VERY excited. After we meet the baby and spend a little time at the orphanage, we will go to the Giving and Receiving Ceremony. This is the final part of the Vietnamese side of the adoption and it is necessary for the completion of every other part of the adoption.
It is sure to be a LONG, physically demanding, emotionally draining day but we are happy for this day to FINALLY have arrived. In a few short hours, we will become parents-- amazing.
2 comments:
I had tears in my eyes just reading and thinking about the wonderful things you guys are getting to do. It sounds like an absolutely amazing place. I can't wait to see new pictures of your daughter (doesn't it feel weird to say you're parents!). Hanoi looks beautiful!--Michelle
Thanks Michelle!!
Keep reading and I have TONS more pics to share when we get home!
-Janie
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