Fast Paced Day in HCMC

Sorry for the delay. Everything has been going very well and last night we were unable to get internet.
Now for the update. Wednesday was a whirl-wind day. We got a call from Thouc at 7AM to meet him at the Embassy to submit papers for the passport. Jayden, Angie and I hailed a taxi and took the 45 minute trip at rush hour HCMC. I have never been to NY City but I cannot imagine anything that compares to this. They say there are 4,500.000 motorcycles in HCMC and I believe they were all on the road. It was stop and go, honk and go, close your eyes and go. The amazing thing about the drivers here is that no one gets upset and shows attitude. It is just the accepted norm. There are not many traffic lights, only in the busiest intersections. We finally got there and Thouc took charge. He told Angie and Jayden to go wait across the street at a restaurant while he and I went into the embassy. We never really understood why he did not want them inside, but needless to say, Angie was not about to cross the road. There were cycles, bikes, vans, cars, busses, anything and everything that had wheels coming in all directions. Thouc told me to go inside and wait and he held Anigie's hand and helped them across the road. Angie then informed him that she had no money and Jayden was thirsty so Thouc bought them a coke "to go". 'To Go" means in a plactic bag and straw. Thats right; a coke poured in a plastic bag with a straw and you hold it together at the top. And of course no ice.

Thouc and I went inside and in quick order we submitted papers, paid money to expedite passport and now it was on to the hospital for the medical report. A taxi was hailed, Thouc got on his motorcycle and said meet me there. It was about a 20 minute drive to the hospital. We arrived, met Thouc and again he took charge. It was a long walk to the visa medical center and Angie's foot was really hurting. But we arrived and saw first hand socialized medicine at work. Hundreds if not thousands were waiting in the lobbies and around the grounds to see a doctor, get medicine or something. But we had Thouc. He marched in, knew who to see, and in a short time, we were putting Jayden on the scales and checking his height. He was perfect. No tears, no complaints. I am amazed at this little boy's good nature. We are dragging him everywhere. Every experience is a new one and often a frightening one, but he faithfully does what he is asked. It is just another sign that he is adjusting to his new life.

We soon were in with the doctor. The doctor looked at me and asked, "how long have you known this child?" I said, "oh about two weeks." He then asked if I had noticed anything abnormal about him. I started to say, Yeah, he doesn't scream, and rant and rave to get his way. He doesn't stomp his feet and have temper tantrums like most 2 year olds I know. But I said, no he is a perfect little boy. Shortly after a quick exam we were done.

Thouc said for me to meet him back at the embassy and the hospital at 2 that afternoon to get the passport and medical report. We went back to the hotel and had KFC in the room . At this point, Jayden still is not eating. He eats cherrios, and snacks and apple juice and water. This also is very common with adopted children. I think it is one sign that he is grieving his loss (the baby home and the only family he has known).

At 2PM I left to meet Thouc and Angie and Jayden rested and took a walk in the park and played in the water. Then it was nap time. Nap time and bed time have been the only times he has cried.He had one of his "I don't want to go to bed" episodes. I think maybe he is afraid to go to sleep for fear that when he wakes up we will not be there. He follows us where ever we go and wants us all together. This is perfectly understandable. Angie said he cried a long time till finally one of the staff came up and started talking Vietnamese to Jayden in an attempt to calm him. The walls were not very sound proof at this hotel and I guess his crying had been reported. Anyway, she only made matters worse. The last thing Jayden wants to think is that someone else is coming to take him away again. He is afraid of other people at this point reaching out to him. He wants his mammy and daddy and that is the way we want it. This bonding time is the most important thing we have got to do now. Everyday is better. He is trusting more and more and feeling more and more at home. And he is!!!

Last night we ended the day with another outing with our friends from HCMC. They had dropped off some items for us to take to their son and his hostess family in Spartanburg.
They wanted to take us to eat at a Korean steakhouse trying to take us somewhere where they knew we had not been. Well it was closed. So after some conversation we could not understand they asked through the translator who is a family friend and associate , if PizzaInn would be OK.
Now we love pizza, but we had eaten it 3 times since arriving in HCMC this 2nd and 3rd time.
But we said that would be fine. It was a great time of laughing, sharing our different customs and trying to communicate. This time the shoe was on the other foot. It was their time to eat what they were not accustomed to. Basically they like pizza about like we like PHO!!!

All in all, a good day. With Jayden's Passport and medical in hand it was time to book the flight to Honoi and get his Visa.