CELEBRATION!!!

After a good night's sleep we had breakfast in the room and then headed to our 10:00 AM interview at the US Embassy. It is only a 15 minute drive from the hotel so we left in a taxi in plenty of time, to first go by a bank to get US dollars for the fee at the embassy. Jayden ate another yogurt cup before we left and we were so proud of him. We had only just begun our trip to the Embassy when Up came the yogurt. I mean all of it, all over Jayden, me, Angie and the taxi. OH THE JOYS OF BEING A TODDLER DAD! I had forgotten about all these wonderful moments. We gave the driver a little sign language and he turned around and headed back to the hotel. He, like all the people we have met here, was so gracious as we tried to apologize. He would not let us wash out the seat. He just accepted it as part of the job of a taxi driver.

We changed Jayden and hastily wiped down ourselves and headed out again in a different taxi but the same driver. Because of the sudden return to the hotel, we did not have time to go by the bank. I would have to hope that a debit card would suffice. I had been told yesterday that sometimes their credit card machine did not work.At the embassy we went in, paid our fee (the machine worked) and waited for our "interview". Shortly after 10:00 we were called to the window for the interview. Here is a word for word rendering of our interview. "Do you swear that all the answers to the questions in this application are true to the best of your knowledge?"
I answered, I do, and signed on the dotted line and was told to return at 4:00PM to pick up Jayden's visa.

We returned to the hotel, spent time in the room and some time at the pool. Jayden enjoyed the pool. (another first) At 3:55 I arrived at the embassy, leaving Jayden and Angie in the hotel room and in 5 minutes I had the visa and was on my way back to the hotel.

Completed, finished, done, over with, how many ways can you spell VICTORY? It was like completing a marathon, or a long 2 year project. It had been a long journey to where we are and tonight it was time to celebrate.

We went to a wonderful restaurant on the West Lake just a few minutes from our hotel. We heard about The Vine, from a book we purchased when first planning our trip. It is a fabulous, wonderful International restaurant. The walls are lined with vintage wines (over 1000 wines) It has low light, with deep color walls, and very gothic baroque decor. The food was familiar with a great variety. We sat on a couch-like seat with pillows. Jayden was like a little man, once again amazing us with his easy nature and willing spirit. And yes, he fell asleep on the cushions before we were served our meal. Angie and I enjoyed the evening, the atmosphere, the customer service, the food which was the best we have had in Vietnam and the nature of our dining out.
This was our Celebration Meal. The finale!!!

On the way back to the Sommerset Hotel, we witnessed the appreciation the people in Honoi have for the large West Lake. There were hundreds of people on the banks of the lake in the moonlight enjoying the evening. It is a lover's lane of sorts and just as we used to sit in our cars as teenagers to date, they sit on their motor-cycles.

We have enjoyed Hanoi. We wish we would have had more time here But it was good to get an appreciation for the entire country. The southern most part, with its Pho and more rural life-style, to the South Central massive city of Ho Chi Minh with it's strangle-hold of motorcyles, to the more modern and cultural city of Honoi. One of the most inviting customs or qualities we have noticed in all of Vietnam is the social atmosphere of the people. They live together. They are not sheltered like we are in our air-conditioned houses and enclosed places of business. They live in the open air. All along the way in every major city and small province they sit in groups of 5 or 6 or more living life together.

We returned to our room and put Jayden to bed. Another victory!!! Jayden took his bottle tonight for the first time since he left the baby home and devoured it. He is making daily progress toward total acceptance.

Tomorrow we will check out of here at 4PM and head for the airport. We fly toward home at 7:30PM with Jayden and all the memories of our facinating and adventurous journey. Jayden's Journey will continue as he will soon be introduced to a world unlike any he has known. We know he will do well.

Like our other three children, we will dedicate him to the Lord and raise him to feel secure, loved and special. Thank you for following us on this journey. Like all good journeys, this one promises to continue for many years to come.