Another day in the sauna known as Hanoi

Hello everybody! Samantha again.

Good news! Martin says we are going to have our G&R ceremony tomorrow (Wednesday) which means we get our daughter tomorrow. Of course, I've learned by now not to get my hopes up til it actually happens because we are running on Vietnamese adoption time. Anything can happen, any time.

We don't know if we're going in the morning or afternoon yet but Martin said to prepare for a 2-hour journey to the university city of Thai Nguyen. We, being one of the three families staying at the Melia, will gather in the lobby at the appointed time and head north for the adventure of a lifetime. Tom and I are the only people in our immediate group here at the hotel who already have a kid so at least we can let go of the nerves of becoming a first-time parent.

The plan is this: first we will meet up with the other famlies in the WC group adopting from Thai Nguyen orphanage, load up in a van and head north. Martin says there are a total of 7 families - three are here at the Melia, another one is at the Somerset and another at the Hong Ngoc. Not sure about the others. We haven't met them yet but our little Melia group is starting to coalesce nicely. We check in with each other at least once a day and compare notes: good shopping spots, where to get laundry done cheaper than at the hotel (we've already spent $75), good places to eat, etc. At least we're not alone in being alone, helpless and confused.

First stop is to go to the orphanage to pick up the babies which I hear is a very emotional (understandably) experience. We will wait in a Meeting Room while the babies are brought out to us, one by one. We are not allowed to tour the orphanage facility or walk around which is rather disappointing. Not sure why we can't. Personally, I'd love to document it to show our daughter where she lives for the first four months of her life.

Once we have all the babies, we load up again in the van, this time with at least double the passengers (some people adopt "twins" - or 2 kids of similar age) and head to the department of justice in Thai Nguyen province where we will have an official ceremony that, in the eyes of the Vietnamese government, says these babies are ours. We sign books, take pictures and hopefully have an opportunity to meet the caretakers of our babies. Personally, I would love to thank our nanny as well as have photos with her and our baby. And, I'd love to find out details like when she likes to eat, when she likes to sleep, what she likes and dislikes, what makes her feel better etc. I don't know if I'll have that opportunity or not but I'm putting the intention out there.

Also, at some point we leave gifts for the justice department officials, the orphanage director, the baby's caretaker and 20 smalls bags for the nannies at the orphanage. I bought mostly everything in America before leaving but, because you can't take wrapped presents on a plane anymore, I spent the morning assembling and wrapping. Tom is writing thank you notes as I write. So that's tomorrow as I know it. Much can change as there are always a million variables but I think that's the gist of it.

So today we have yet another unscheduled free day. As Tom pointed out yesterday, as it turns out we really didn't need to come to Hanoi til today - which is Tuesday. We could have spent three more days in our beloved Cambodia which we all three agree would be preferable to Hanoi. Don't get me wrong. Hanoi isn't bad. Not that I've seen all of it but we're staying in the French Quarter and it reminds me much of my days living in Paris. Very French - then throw in the oppressive heat of a sauna mixed with the funky, pungent smells of Asia et voila! (Speaking of heat, it's been in the high 90s which, in this humidity, feels like 105 degrees. No rain yet though. Just a few sprinkles here and there but certainly not like the predictable afternoon thunderstorms in Siem Reap.)

Tom and I were hoping, at the last minute, to take a half day Vietnamese cooking class through the Sofitel Metropole Hotel. For $55, we would go to the outdoor market with the chef to pick out ingredients, come back to the hotel for cooking demonstrations and lectures and then enjoy lunch or dinner at the fabled Spices restaurant which reportedly has some of the best Vietnamese food in Hanoi. Unfortunately, when we called, the classes are postponed til renovations are finished at the hotel but maybe Tom and I should go there for dinner tonight. Leave Max at the hotel with a babysitter and have a date - just the two of us, because we probably won't be dating for awhile.

Also, huge congratulations to my adorable Baby Brother Donald who proposed to his girlfriend of 4 years this weekend. Michelle, we love you and look forward to you being a part of our family. As if you already weren't.... You guys make a beautiful couple. You're great people with big hearts who do good things. Max is so excited that Michelle is going to be his Aunt now!! Can't wait to see the rock - I hear it's as big as the Hope diamond.

And to Adison (aka Madison), please know that Max is getting his baby sister tomorrow. We can't wait for you to meet her.

Thank you all who are reading this blog. It's a wonderful way for us to document the trip and also to share it with you. We love getting your comments. It feels like we're not as far from home as we actually are. Keep 'em coming. We love you.