Stickin' Out Like a Sore Thumb

Our adventures here in Hanoi continue. On our Wednesday at 2:00pm (while you all were peacefully sleeping, I might add), we met our "knight in shining armor" here in Hanoi. His name is Truong and he works for Holt International - our agency. He helped us get all our paperwork together in the lobby and then we headed out to the Ministry of Police to apply for Isaac's passport. It is will be issued by Vietnam, and then we get a visa from the US Embassy for him to enter the US. This scene was very similar to my bank experience back in Danang. Forget a line, forget keeping your documents to yourself,think more like Day After Thanksgiving Sale and everyone wants the same item. Truong told Marty and I to sit in the rows and rows of blue chairs out of the way - which we gladly did. The pressing crowd went from window to window to deal with the government officials. At first, we were a commodity to the people there. Let's face it, we each make two of them, we are lilly white, our "hick" American is unfamiliar, and we are holding a Vietnamese boy. At first, Isaac was still sleepy from his nap. Once he was awake, he came alive. That's when Truong began to need Marty to be present at the counter to sign some things and be seen by the officials. Let's just say that Marty is Isaac's current favorite. I had to do some big talking, like he understood, and coaxing to get him to stay with me. And, Skittles go a long way. Right now, that is Isaac's bribe of choice. After about and hour and a half to two hours, we left with Truong assuring us that in a week we will have Isaac's passport. Then we wait for the US visa.
I mailed Anna Claire a postcard when we returned and then we played in the room a little with the mini remote controlled cars. He loves to pick them up and watch the wheels spinning. He also likes to make them crash. After the driving he has seen on the streets of Vietnam, I can see why. Vu, back in Danang, told us that about 40 people die per day in Vietnam in car accidents. Yes, we will be doing a lot of walking over the waiting period here.
Next, we ventured down to dinner. There is a restaurant with a buffet in the lobby. We arrived there about 10 minutes before they were ready to serve. So, we had to pass a little time. Marty decided to try out the escalators with Isaac. BIG HIT ! He squealed with delight. We took him up and down the two sets several times. Get this in your mind. Everyone else in the lobby is dressed in business attire and quietly talking over whatever in small seated groups. Not us. obody seemed to min though.
We went back into the restaurant and fixed Isaac's plate. I tried to feed him while Marty went to fix his. Isaac lost his mind when Marty turned the corner out of sight. Sprite is also a great bribe. Isaac likes to put a little food in his mouth, chew it up a little, put in more, chew it up a little, and so on. Notice the word swallow is missing. We have been told that this as well as crying over Marty's absence are to be expected.
When we returned to the room, Isaac had his first bathub bath with us. He loved it. He did not want to come out. Later I washed his hair and body, we kept rolling around in the 2 inches of water in the tub. I finally got him out and put him into Spiderman pajamas. Every new outfit thrills him. I forgot to tell you something he did right before dinner. I changed him into some clean clothes. He immediately ran to the bathroom door to pose so Marty could see how good he looked.
While we were out earlier, the hotel staff brought a crib to our room. We didn't rquest it, and didn't think he would want to sleep in it. However, after I brushed his teeth, he ran right over and jumped, literally, into it. It was about 8:00. Marty and I went to bed also. He is still asleep, an it is 6:09 here.
This afternoon, we are to go to the US Embassy with Truong. This morning, we are planning to head out on foot to see our part of Hanoi called the Old Quarter. We can't wait to tell you about our adventures. God bless, take care, and keep praying. Anna Calire, we love you!