I had eggs and both had wonderful fruit. We love dragon fruit, and we were not sure what the fruit was in the middle.
Then we headed out to do a little exploring and shopping. We headed toward the Ben Thanh market, but stopped at the Rex Hotel where I stayed when adopting both girls. I almost didn't recognize it, because it had changed so much. I'm putting a couple pics of it for my Vietnam adoption buddies to see the difference!
This is the outside from the corner...you can still the crown on the top.
This is inside the lobby...doesn't even look like the same place.
Here's Hannah at the entrance. Amazing difference...but sort of sad to me too.
Then we looked at the mall that had opened on the other corner that was new when I adopted Ella. It still looked the same. Then we headed on down to the Ben Thanh market. Yes, I still enjoy bartering with them...got a few good deals, but one girl tried to rip me off...she came way down, but I think I still paid too much. Oh well. It was fun. Hannah loved looking at all the fish and coconuts.
Hannah bought some lychees which she loves to eat!
From the market we headed back to find the store where we had ao dais made in 2006. We think we found it and Hannah and I both were measured for new Ao Dais.
We will pick them up on Friday. Hannah's is a dark blue with lots of sequins. Mine is burnt orange color. I know they will be beautiful.
Of course along the way, we are very careful crossing the streets as it is hit and miss with the motorcycles. It is truly crazy!
Then we finally had a late lunch at the Lemongrass restaurant. It was yummy!
It is hot and steamy and began to rain on our way back to the hotel. We came to rest a little and make sure of the arrangements for our trip to Vinh Long. The plan is to leave in the morning at 9am. It's about a 3.5 hour drive south. We should get there in time to grab lunch and check in to the Cuu Long hotel where Kim and I stayed back in 2002. No other Dillon families have stayed there as they put everyone over in Can Tho. Kim and I always affectionately called it the Lizard Motel! Such memories. Thomas who helped with Ella's adoption in 2006 has secured an appointment at the orphanage at 2pm. We hope to shop at the market there and then on Thursday morning do a boat ride down the MeKong River and do a drive through some of the area where Hannah's birth mother lived and where she was born before we head back to Ho Chi Minh City. I asked the lady at the hotel desk if the driver spoke English and she said "a little bit." Sounds like fun! She did give me a card and said if there were any problems to call here at the hotel and they would help with translation. :) So we're going to head out in a little bit to find dinner and explore a a little more, but we hope to get in bed early as I'm am wiped out. Please pray for our safety as we travel and that this time in Vinh Long will be meaningful to Hannah. We are hoping to get a little video of her at the orphanage. Please pray for that special time. Susie
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