Days 11 and 12 in HA NOI and Pretty Pink Fingers

Sunday(28JAN) afternoon, after Olivia-Nien, awoke from a nap we took a walk along West Lake and visited the oldest Buddhist temple(Tran Quoc) in Ha Noi. Unfortunately, Elliott was not able to enter the temple proper, because he was wearing shorts, which would have been considered disrespectful. After that, we continued our stroll along the lake, on an absolutely beautiful day-- sunshine, lite breeze, California weather!!-- as we stopped to watch some fly fishermen we were approached by two ladies, one of whom smiled broadly and inquired if we were Americans. Becky quickly chimed in that we were and that we were here adopting our newest daughter. The two ladies, Joy(group leader) and Deedee, were with a large group of 10-12 couples from So. California touring Vietnam for three weeks. We chatted for awhile, exchanging experiences thus far and then parted, but before they left they invited us to join them for an ice cream(the great ice breaker!) social the group was having later that evening. We(Becky) quickly accepted. As we walked and talked folks would generally stare at us inquisitively, especially at Olivia-Nien, something you get use to. Near the end of our turn around point we came upon a family that appeared to be adopting and Becky inquired if they were, and they were, for the second time. Their first was four years old like Nien. The parents were Ann and Malcolm, and a friend Colin, from Ireland. On hearing Ireland, we quickly inquired if they knew of another couple from Ireland here in Vietnam adopting, Frank and Kathryn. They did, having flown over with them. We asked if they had heard from them, or talked with them since Saturday, when they had taken their new baby to a hospital. They hadn't. We were a little bit concerned with no one hearing anything from them, but just figured--no news, is good news--and left it at that. We conversed a bit more, then parted, and walked a little further before making our turn around. By this time 4:45 we were all getting a little famished and dry of throat(especially Elliott) we decided to have an early dinner and take a break. We stopped at a little place along the lake which we hadn't eaten at before, were invited in by a couple of young waitresses, who promptly waited on us(we were the only patrons in the place--actually a floating dock, with tables and umbrellas), made suggestions of what we might like--fried soft shell crabs, Mongolian lamb, sweet potato buds with garlic, steamed rice, and noodles with vegetables, and a Tiger beer and whisked off with our order. If anyone has ever watched Iron Chef America on the Food Network that is the kind of meal we ended up having. What a feast!! Best meal we've had, worth the whole darn trip.

(Elliott wrote the above but is already tired of typing (pecking really) so I'm taking over.

We went back to the hotel and rested for a little while before joining our American tour group friends for ice-cream. I'm not sure if Olivia had strawberry ice-cream before but she loved it and boy did she ham it up for all people there. Making silly faces at everyone.

Monday started out the same as many days with Olivia refusing to walk. I have to say I was getting tired of it so I refused to leave the room with her until she walked at least down the hall to the elevator and made her stand beside me as we rode the elevator to the bottom floor. She was very, very unhappy with me and cried the whole time. When the elevator doors opened I picked her up and she immediately stopped......controlling huh? We had breakfast and returned to our room. She wanted to go out again and I kept saying NO CARRY, NIEN WALK. Finally she shook her head. She understood!!! We opened the door and she grabbed my hand and out we walked. She has been happy to walk ever since!!!!! VICTORY!!!!! There have been a few times when we were on a very busy street or when she is tired when I still carry her (normal for 4 year olds) so my arms are getting a break....YEAH!! Later that morning we went over to our Irish friends, Frank and Kathrine's hotel to see if everything was going on OK with them and their new baby. We were dismayed to find out that they had not been back to their hotel since Sat. morning. We went down the street to the local hospital but no one spoke English and we couldn't find out anything. We left them a note at their hotel and said a prayer for them and their safety.

We had her physical for her Visa in the afternoon. We went to the international SOS clinic for this and it was busy at the time we were there. Several couples with little babies that looked like they all had some kind of rash. Much to our happy surprise we found our friends, Frank and Kathrine there!! It seems that their baby daughter had pneumonia and they had been there with her since Sat. She had had an IV antibiotic and was doing much better and was being released that afternoon. Praise the Lord!!! It is funny how you barely know someone but can connect so quickly with them. We plan on spending as much time as possible together for the remainder of our time (as Frank says, until we wear out each others welcome!)

Olivia's visit went very well and they gave her a clean bill of health with the exception of a possible slight turn of the left foot. It certainly doesn't slow her down as she runs, climbs, skips, and jumps perfectly well. We had to wait around for the doctors report and then our SW took it and all her other documents to the US Embassy. They did not give us an appointment until Wednesday afternoon (bummer) as they want to check further into the situation with her birth father. That means we won't get her visa until either Thursday or Friday. We'll keep you posted on our return.

Last night we met another American couple (we met on the plane) for dinner and did not get home until after 9:00. Way after Olivia's bedtime so today we have just hung out at our hotel for some R&R. I did take Olivia into the hotel salon and had her fingernails painted for the first time. She is thrilled with them and keeps looking at them. She did tell the gal that painted them that she was worried about sucking her thumb with the pretty pink on them. We'll see if she tries it or not at bedtime.

God Bless you all......we really miss you. Keep up the prayers!