Paperwork, shopping, paperwork, shopping
Trip Start
Jun 17, 2008
1
17
24
Trip End
Sep 03, 2008
Ho chi minh city,
Vietnam
Monday, August 25, 2008
It is 3AM Saigon Time, I can't go to sleep. We are trying this new thing where he sleeps with me so he won't wake Mya up. We'd rather have us tired than her. And I want Annie to rest before getting on that plane ride home. Hopefully, it will not be another trip from hell.
My brother left on Sunday for Paris. His flight was taking off at 7pm to HK. He got to the airport at 4 to find out he had to wait until 11h45pm and take a flight to Tokyo instead, because of Typhoon in HK. I hope that won't happen to us.
Anyway, we will see. For the last few days, we haven't done much except shop, rest, shop, pool while waiting for our paperwork. On Friday night, we went to this vietnamese restaurant, it wasn't that good, actually it was good for Vietnamese standards
Mya and her cousins
. Annie, Mya hated it. It was a specialty food restaurant, an icon here in Saigon, La Pagolac. So, we left without eating much. On Saturday, we rested all day, the kids and Annie slept in the afternoon, I think we all needed the rest. After the stress of the paper signing trip, running around on Friday to get the applications in for the passport, the exit papers. Their limit was reached. For dinner, we went to Alain's hotel, Bong Seng Hotel. It was a buffet., it was actually very good. There was a great assortment of dishes, specialties from the North to the South. With a Grill station and Sea food station. Annie had sugar cane juice for the first time.
On Sunday, we went to try on my suit. It fitted well so, one down 4 to go. Eric, I will get your suit!
We had lunch with my brother for the last time. The lunch was excellent at the Wrap and Roll. A chain, that has all kinds of rolls, from Spring Rolls to Banh Xeo. There were all kinds of Fried Rolls, porc, sea food, vegetarian. It was very good. Then we went to visit the Reunification Palace with Germaine, John, and their two kids! It was interesting but SOOOO HOT. On the way there, Lyam took the biggest diapper filler of all times...it was the mother of all dumps
Reunification Palace
. SO we had to change him in front of the gates of the palace. That was funny and smelly. Imagine...34degrees...95% humidity...smelly diaper....We finally met Saint John, Germaine or Virginia's husband. He is very nice. I mean he has to be to put up with her. I am just kidding G.
On sunday night, we went out with the couple for Gaspesie, Stephane and Stephanie. We took them to the Tax Center, a mall, to see the North Face outlet we found. We bought Karbon ski suit for only 80$ and a North Face for only 70$. This is a governement owned outlet store. Then, we had Italian at Santa Lucia, probably the best Italian restaurant in Saigon, with Stephanie and Stephane. Again, Stephanie did not eat a thing. That's a long story, but we fell bad for her.
On monday, yesterday, we finally received our exit papers for Lyam and went to the Canadian consulate to apply for the Canadian Passport. Now, once again, we wait. ADOPTION=PATIENCE and alot of running around.
In the morning, we went back to Benh Than market with Stephane and Stephanie, I will refer to SS from now on, that was funny. I don't think they were prepared to face such an assault of colors, people, heat and especially smells
The Tank
. Although, we had prepared them, I don't think they were ready. But, they bought alot of souvenirs and gifts, not as much as us though. Then we went to Annie's tailor, across the street, to try on her stuff. BEAUTIFUL and so we had another dress made. The Tailor's name is KENLY SILK. They have the best people, especially one lady, who is excellent at advising people. She made Lyam a kimono for free because he looked so much like her son.Throughout all these days, and despite them being tired, the kids were great! Lyam doesn't every cry or complain except when he is hungry or realllly hot. He is such a bundle of joy, a big one! He is funny. He has managed to stand up by himself once so far, by holding on to something of course. He will be walking by Christmas time. His cough is still there but not as bad as 2 weeks ago, so I guess it is going away slowly. He hates to wear clothes, who wouldn't in this heat. He has greatly bonded with Annie and Mya and Me. He doesn't go into anyone's arms easily, especially woman's. He went into my borher's arms without crying but no one else can touch him.
Mya is doing great. She does react to Lyam a bit with the toys and attention, which is a normal thing. But, for a 3 year old, 10000km away from her things, in a world completely different, she is doing great. Already, she is a world traveler and I am very proud of her.
