Backpacks, Noodles, and Cyclos, Oh My!

What a day this has been. We went on a tour of Hanoi with a wonderful tour guide and driver. We began with lunch at a restaurant very close to our hotel, Le Tonkin. Basically, they served us a variety of Vietnamese food. It was great, and we are planning to eat there again before we head home. Then, we went to the Museum of Ethnology and learned a lot about the different ethnic groups in Vietnam, present and past. Our tour guide was so knowledgable. We also visited the One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The picture in which I am kneeling beside Isaac was taken there. If you notice, we are both looking off to the side. That is because about the time Marty took the picture, the security guard was blowing his whistle at me. It is okay to have pictures made there, but it is not okay to kneel. We quickly walked on.
The final stop on the tour was the Water Puppet Theater. This was Isaac's favorite part. The stage truly is water. There are puppeteers behind the curtain manning puppets on long sticks. It was wonderful. I told Marty I would never be able to explain it well, so he has added a link to the blog. Check it out.
After the show, we were taken by cyclo around the Old Ouarter District of Hanoi. I was thinking it might be death by cyclo. Imagine 20 scooters heading straight toward you as you are crossing the lane of oncoming traffic. The drivers didn't seem too worried, but remember, we were in front! Marty's driver was almost hit by a bus, and our cyclo ran into a scooter. Believe it or not, it was fun. I was glad Marty's cyclo was right with us the entire time. (You know me, I was already planning how Isaac and I would jump out if necessary.) Our sweet drivers brought us all the way back to the front of our hotel. I accidentally kept the fan our driver let me use. So, I went chasing him down the street with it. (As if we aren't standing out enough already.)
We also wanted to tell you about Isaac's backpack. Marty thought it would be nice for him to have one, so we bought one for him at Walmart (never thought I'd say this, but I can't wait to see one) before we left. He puts everything in it, and I mean EVERYTHING. I was trying to find a small notepad to write some notes about what I wanted to include in this blog. Guess where all the notepads are. I have had to go scavenging in there another time or two. He definitely likes having his own stuff. I do have to say it keeps things neat in the hotel room.
I brought him some little plastic boats for his bath. I couldn't find them until tonight. Actually, Marty found them in a place I'd already looked twice. He absolutely loved them. He was in the bathtub hugging them. It would have been a cute picture, but you know . . .
We had supper in the room again tonight. Our tour was from 12:00-6:00 and we were beat. We ordered Isaac some noodle soup with chicken. Let's say he left no noodle unslurped. This is a waste not, want not kind of boy. He also ate four chicken wings. Marty told him that his Uncle Joe would like that.
Well, I am ready to turn in. Please forgive all typos, etc.
We still miss home terribly and can't wait to see all of you. Lots of love to Anna Claire. We sure did love the pictures Wendy posted of you. Remember, pray, pray, pray.