We started with breakfast here at the Somerset, where we met a couple of families that are just a few days ahead of us in the adoption process. One family brought their older child, who is the exact same age as Eli. So Eli now has a friend while he is here, Ezra.
We met with the facilitator from our agency -- Just a quick meeting, to let us know he would pick us up early Tuesday morning for our trip to Danang. *IF* everything goes on schedule, we will have the Giving and Receiving Ceremony for Lilly on Tuesday afternoon, and we will be back in Hanoi by Wednesday night.
As we got outside, one realization-- It is really really hot and humid. And most places are not airconditioned.
We ate lunch at a packed Vietnamese restaurant, but most of the seating was outside. The customers were 95% Vietnamese, but the menu did have English translations, we weren't totally lost. Eli stuck to rice, and tried to copy our use of chopsticks. So the meal for 4 people, including beverages was $12, including a generous tip.
In the afternoon, we went with another family to the Circus. A real "local" experience-- Didn't see any other foreigners, just delighted Vietnamese children. PETA probably would not have loved this circus, but Eli had fun, when he was awake. Between the heat, jet lag, and excitement, Eli completely wore himself out. He completely collapsed on our shoulders during the circus, only to be awoken by an explosion towards the end of the circus. Pam was a bit disturbed by the sword swallowing.
After the circus, we have our first real conflict -- We grabbed a taxi on our way out of the circus. We said to him, "Somerset," and "Hanoi Tower" -- The two names that our hotel goes by.. and we quickly showed him a card from our hotel. He nodded and said "hotel" and quoted a price of "15" (15 thousand dong-- About one dollar). He starts to drive, for what seems like a long time, and he starts to pull up at the Hanoi Hotel-- A completely different hotel. So then we get it straightened out, he takes us to our hotel, and I start to pay him-- For the trouble, I start to hand him $2-- twice the agreed rate. He starts to throw the money back at me, starts cursing at me in Vietnamese. It's important to realize--- Everyone here is happy to take American currency, instead of Dong-- Everyone except this cab driver. So we figure out that he wants to be paid in Dong, and we get money changed at the front desk. He keeps yelling, the hotel doorman and concierage rush to our aid. The taxi driver denies that we showed him a card, and he starts to demand more money. We really don't mind paying another dollar or two-- it's not worth fighting about. So we ask the staff just to ask the driver how much he wants. And they tell us that he wants 1 more dollar--- But again, he starts to throw it back when American money is handed to him. At this point, the concierge just takes over, they get ride of the driver, and then they become very apologetic for what happened.
Fortunately, the driver was the exception rather than the rule. The people here have been wonderful. Below, see the family that sat next to us at the local restaurant, who were of course infatuated with Eli and wanted pictures of their child with Eli.
1 comment:
Enjoyed your comments on the experiences so far.
Was not successful in calling you. I dialed --1849342342--operator said call could not be completed. A help number was given but I could not write it down in time. Any suggestions??
Mom
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