Its just another manic Monday!

I hate jetlag.

Note: if you don’t want to read about jetlag, please continue to paragraph two.

I think jetlag is THE worst thing about traveling.  Here is something new I learned.  The most jetlagged you can be (does that even make sense?) is 12 hours.  So, if you go from Boston to Australia (15 hour time difference) its actually BETTER than going from Boston to Saigon (12 hour) because even though it’s a 15 hour time difference, its really only 9 (its like you go around the clock and came back).  Weird right?  Anyway, my point being, the time difference here is 12 hours.  Basically, feel bad for us!  Ha.  Its rough – night is day and day is night.  I also read that most of the time it takes one full day to adjust to every hour of time difference.  Some people can adjust up to two hours of time difference in a day.  So that means, even at the VERY best, it would take us 6 days to adjust, but probably more like 9-10 and maybe even 12 days.  Hmmm…

Ok well if you skipped the jetlag paragraph, you STILL get more jetlag stories because I blame jetlag for the way my tummy feels!  Yuck.  Last night for dinner (I didn’t even go out, mom went “shopping”) and we had bread and saltines!  Yum!  I blame jetlag, food, heat…hmm..I guess that’s it for now!

So anyway after we got back yesterday we layed down for a nap.  Nothing good can ever come from a nap at 615pm.  I literally couldn’t keep my eyes open – I had to sleep!  I think I woke up around 730pm (when mom decided to head out) and seriously debated whether or not to just sleep through the night.  However, that’s a bit silly and I wanted to organize some stuff for today, so I did get up and get my act together.  She came back with saltines and I was passed out again at 930pm.

Wide awake at 6am (seriously, can this continue when I get back to the States?) and we were down to breakfast and a quick stop at the Store 24 to get some water for the day!

Long arrived at our hotel at 8:14am sharp and with bags in hand we were on our way to the orphanage. 

We decided to take a taxi, as it was much easier to do so with all of our goodies.

We handed out dish racks (they ask for this every year so they don’t have to dry clean dishes on the floor) and towels to each of the individual rooms.  We can never find dish racks over here – so I bought out Target before I left!

We then made our way to the big room (open today!) and got a big hello from the head lady!  This lady has been there since my first time (so 5 years) and last year was the first year she learned some English…so she came right over today and said, “Hello! How are you?”  I gave her a big hug (not normal in this culture) but I was so happy she remembered us.  I also got a huge hug from Thoung and Hai as well!

We handed out our goodies – Thoung was SO excited for his new shoes and for his Rubik cube!!!

The workers were definitely happy with the towels and the kids LOVED the toys! 

The blocks were great…especially for the kids to work on their fine motor skills.  I also think its good because it really makes them think and what they want to build, how they are going to build it, etc.

So we played for a while (blocks, taking pictures, listening to music, etc).

Hai is also one of my favorites.  The first year I was volunteering he had to be spoon-fed pureed food, couldn’t move on his own, etc. and now he has gotten so big!  He can walk (with the help of a leg brace) and today I learned he can eat on his own (he doesn’t need a high chair anymore) – it’s awesome!  While he doesn’t speak - he sure knows how to communicate.  He will point and make noises and tell you to sit down and play with him or whatever else he wants.  He loved listening to music (on my phone) and would point to his ear when he wanted me to put it back on.

Anyway after we all played for a bit it was time to eat!  I had to feed one of the girls who needs to eat pureed food because she has a hard time swallowing.  Surprisingly, it didn’t go so bad (I’ve had kids that it can take hours and eventually the workers have to come do it).  We sorta made a deal that after two bites she could play with my phone (I know, I know, but hey if it gets her to eat!).  So that seemed to work until the end when she took off her bib (my signal that she was DONE!)

I was getting the kids cleaned up and ready for nap time and walking across the laminate floor when I TOTALLY wiped out.  Ugh, embarrassing even thinking about it!!!  If there is one thing this orphanage rocks at it’s cleanliness!  They sweep and mop and mop and sweep!  I honestly didn’t even see her mopping, but it was so slippery I literally was down in 2 seconds.  I can’t believe I didn’t even make any of the kids laugh!!!  Anyway, it could have been a LOT worse (although last night I did tell mom where the nearest English speaking 24 hour emergency room is – and I re-quizzed her after this happened and she would have gotten me to it!!!)  So, all I have are bruises/bumps on the heels on my hands and a bruised ego.  The worker who was cleaning the floor was so cute and came over and patted my butt to make sure I was ok!

Once the kids were laying down (they put mats out after their meal) the worker told Long the kids needed to sleep (aka we needed to leave) so we gave out hugs and waved goodbye!

We took the bus back and Long was on his way to give an afternoon tour.  Mom and I needed 3 things: a shower, a nap and food!  We decided we should do food first, because once we were back in the room it would be pretty difficult to get us to leave.  We went back to the Paris place for spaghetti!  YUM!  I know carbs are really empty/short energy, but MAN did that taste yummy! 

We made our way back to the room to shower up and rest.  Again, I felt like I could have slept thru the night.  It’s so difficult only being here 6 days – there really isn’t any point to try to adjust to the time difference for 6 days, although we do need to stay on some type of schedule as it doesn’t do us any good if we’re wide awake from 1am-6am and then asleep from 9am-3pm. 

Shop till you drop

I passed out after I ended my blog last night…I was so tired!  I think it was around 1030 (reasonable bed time!) and I was down for the count until 6am – when I was WIDE awake.  Now why cant I be a morning person at home?  My bed is trrrrible 

it made this retched sound (somewhere between what sounded like the springs were messed up to what sounded like whatever the bed was on was messed up).  I felt bad because I woke Mom up..but she thought I did it on purpose to wake her up since she was snoring!  Anyway, we got up and fixed it…what a weird bed!  We flipped over both the wood part AND the mattress..we are women of many talents!

We then went to breakfast (a mixture of toast, yogurt, dragon fruit <my fav!>) and decided since we were up so early we might as well head out.  We have done all of the tourist stuff and have explored most of the area but figured it was a good time for a walk since it wouldn’t be too crowded or hot (yet).

We made our way down some streets I don’t THINK we have been down before…but honestly they all look the same so who really knows!  Some local (selling coconut milk) thought we were lost (we weren’t) and was sweet and pointed us in the direction back to the backpackers district (which was very nice) and next thing I know I turn around and mom has a coconut in her hand!  ROOKIE MISTAKE!  We have had coconut milk before (neither of us like it) so I gave him a 20 (which is about $1).  

He tried to sucker us for a 50, but we said no, he laughed and we went on our way.  Mom says the guy has to make a living.

We ended up at a Westernish mall/grocery store (one we frequent) to see what they had for toys – although it was VERY expensive, so we settled on some snacks at the grocery store.  Mom ended up talking to this very sweet girl who wanted to practice her English.  She’s 24 and works for Vihaf (a furniture company – headquarters in NYC) and would like to eventually work in NYC but needs to improve her English (although she was pretty easy to understand).  The sad thing is – you sometimes need to be careful who you talk to (more so in the parks) because some do try to scam you (ask you to coffee..go to a place their friend owns and run up the bill, etc).  What’s really sad about it is there really are NICE people who just want to practice their English (like this girl) and I have had university students stop me before to fill out homework (their homework being ask a native English speaker these questions, etc) – but you never know.  Anyway it was nice to chat with her.

We came back to rest up a bit, shower, etc. because LONG WAS COMING TO MEET US!  Long and I met the first year I was in Vietnam…as he gave myself (and a few other volunteers) a tour of the city.  We then went to his parent’s house for dinner…and the rest…is history!  He continues to give tours for different companies in Saigon – yet still manages to make time for us every time we are here!

He met us at our hotel and took us to one of his favorite restaurants – where we ate SO MUCH FOOD!  Now, lets call a spade a spade – my mom and I love to eat.  But holy moly was this a lot of food!  It was so yummy – and what was so nice was we really wouldn’t have been able to order it without him.  We don’t do seafood, so everything he ordered was without prawn, squid, etc. and it was all food we would eat every day if we knew how to order it!

It was so nice to catch up over lunch and as we were getting ready to be rolled out of there a couple (from Czech Republic) was trying to order some food (to no avail) so we had to share Long for a bit while he helped to translate their food order. 

After a delicious lunch, we decided our time would be best spent doing some shopping for the orphanage.  By now we tend to have a pretty good idea of what is needed and Long takes us to the Chinatown market – as it’s a whole sale market (think Costco/BJs).  We took a cab to the bus station and a bus down to Chinatown – where we shopped till we dropped!

We were able to buy Crocs for the kids (these seem to work out really well for them as they are easy on easy off) face cloths (good for wiping faces after meals) bath towels and toys (including two Rubik Cubes)!

Cant wait to bring it all to the orphanage tomorrow!

Reunited and it feels so good!

I actually didn’t sleep before…instead I worked on my Vietnam packing list.  Since our luggage is not with us – it did get me thinking that I need to be more organized in my packing (for instances like this).  Also, we are recruiting for Vietnam 2015 (February? March?) so I want to make sure I have good notes for whoever decides to come with us!!!

Our luggage was supposed to be here by noon – but at 1230 we decided we couldn’t wait all day and headed out!  We needed something for lunch and since a) we aren’t adventurous eaters and b) our stomachs haven’t adjusted yet, spaghetti bolognese it was!  I will definitely try anything (slug and starfish in China) but I am a pretty picky eater, so I tend to eat a lot of carbs over here.  Also, since we are just here for a week – I do NOT want to get sick – so am a bit more hesitant to go with street food.

We got on the #3 bus (with a LOT of stares) but I think we lucked out and either a) got an express bus! Or b) they changed the route – we got to the orphanage in about 30 minutes! I did notice about half way through the landmarks were a bit different…so that would be really nice if it now cuts off some of the side streets.  Last year I struggled because we normally pick up the #3 bus at the bus station…and it slows down out front and you literally hop on.  Well…I waited, and waited, and waited and figured something was wrong!!   Turns out the bus now showed up in the back! Who knew! Anyway I digress, my point is, luckily it still stopped where we needed it to…just 15 minutes earlier!

A quick walk to the orphanage and who did we see sitting on a chair!  TOUNG!  

We probably would have panicked if we went to his room and didn’t see him there.  It took him a second (he can really be a grump sometimes) but he took my hand and went to tickle mom (their thing).  We then went for a walk around the Pagoda..it was SO awesome to see him smile and hear him laugh.  We did some hide n seek and scaring each other.  Although, overall he did seem a bit more blah.  Hopefully it was just today (he has been like this in years past, just never on the first day) but he was good when we left and waved goodbye (although granted he was eating).  We saw a lot of the other usual suspects (Dorothy real name: Car rot) and Cap real name: Hai).  Cho Con wasn’t there today, although he usually never is during the week so I bet he will be there Monday.  And, a worker from the main room (closed on the weekends) stopped and said hello and definitely recognized us.  She doesn’t speak English and we don’t speak Vietnamese but if we COULD speak the same language the conversation would have gone something like, “Oh wow, hey guys!  You’re back, it’s so good to see you again!  How has your year been?”  Anyway definitely cool that she recognized us. 

We spent some time playing with some of the younger kids, but then it was time for them to eat and jetlag was kicking in so we headed back.  We decided, ok ok, I decided, we should stop at Pizza Hut as I was starving (hey, we split lunch!) and craving…carbs!

I tell ya, the Pizza Hut’s here have 5 star service! It’s amazing!!! First of all, they probably employee 30 people for maybe, 6 tables (but no, really, they do).  A few years ago one opened up in the backpackers district and so we thought maybe there were so many people working because it was new, but nope – just a lot of employees!  Anyway after a yummy personal pan cheese pizza, we made the walk back to the hotel (down the man drag) and not too many changes. 

We tried to ask the front desk if our bags had come – which somehow turned into us checking out…hmm…but this guy came over and said yes they came and they were in our room!  YAY!

However, we showed up to our room with FOUR bags…hmm…but two of them were ours.  After a quick call to the front desk hopefully two MORE people are happy because they have their bags.  However, mom’s bag was sort of saran wrapped/taped (hint hint: BAD SIGN) as she soon realized a) there was literally no zipper and b) the bubbles and rubik cube she had packed was gone.  WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE!  The zipper thing was definitely weird….there were no marks, just literally NO zipper.  The bubbles/rubik thing is annoying – I am going to give Cathay Pacific a piece of my mind!  Anyway, very nice to have our luggage, and obviously things could have been MUCH worse, but still slightly annoying.  Just means we will have to buy some new toys while we are here!

I took a quick shower (the one thing I REFUSE to travel without when coming here is a massive bottle of the best smelling Dove soap I can find).  It actually wasn’t that hot out today (low to mid 80s…and it was cloudy) but we were just so gross from the busses…orphanage, etc. that showers are amazing!

I then headed out to meet up with Ashley and her boyfriend Will.  Ashley and I met in Thailand 4 years ago.  She recently emailed me asking for advice for Vietnam – and it just so turns out we were both in HCMC today!  So that was awesome!

Annnnnd Im fading.  I think in the past 48 hours I’ve slept about 10 of them!

Goodnight!

You can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights...

Auntie Kathy was nice enough to bring it to us to the airport (it really makes a big difference when you’re going to be traveling for 30 hours) – not that the bus is bad, it’s just nice to have personal drop off!

We checked in to our JetBlue flight from BOS to JFK with enough time to get some water.  Quick flight to JFK – pretty painless.  However, getting to our connecting flight at JFK was a bit, annoying.  In the past, we have taken United and the connecting flight (in Newark) is always in the same terminal.  However, at JFK we literally spent out entire connection doing just that – connecting.  We had to go all around and essentially back outside to come back inside to check in – which wasn’t so bad if you’re Chris Wilson!  She had originally booked an “extra legroom seat” on the long haul flight from JFK to Hong Kong (16.5 hours – I think it’s the 8^th longest flight in the world).  However, when we checked in, she had been upgraded to business class!  She rocks!  I was very jealous (I was in the back with the common folk) but so excited for her as she had space to move around and the seat fully reclined so she could sleep!!!!  Imagine that!  The line for security was pretty long, so by the time we got to the gate they were already boarding – which meant no time for food (boo!) good thing I had some snacks!  Me and my economy seat had a good flight…watched a couple movies and slept a bit too! 

The connection in Hong Kong was surprisingly MUCH easier.  Mom still let me (a commoner) hang out with her!  We ended up stopping to eat at a “Spaghetti House” which was so yummy – although we realized after, it cost like $47! Ha! For two spaghetti dinners, two sodas and some bread!  Oh well, it was totally worth it to have a decent meal! 

We easily found our gate, and then mom found these AWESOME recliner chair things!  They were just like lounge chairs (you couldn’t put them down all the way) but it was so nice to lie out! 

I started to blog but literally could not keep my eyes open.  Mom was going for a walk so I told her I would keep opening my eyes to watch her bags (famous last words) because when she came back I was passed out!  Ooops!

Flight from Hong Kong to Saigon was pretty quick and painless (about 2 hours) and I was in and out of sleep for most of it.  After landing, we made our way over to get our Visa.  You need a Visa for Vietnam and you have two options: go thru the consulate or go thru a company.  I have done both, but prefer the company because you don’t have to send in your passport and (more recently) it has become cheaper!  You fill out an application, attach a passport photo and pay $45 when you arrive in Vietnam and you receive a Visa for one month.  The only “annoying” part about doing it this way is you do have to wait for them to process the Visa once you arrive.  This time was actually the longest we have ever waited (30 minutes – really not that bad) and the one thing I said (ooops) was, “at least we wont have to wait for our bags!” 

We made it thru Passport Control with no problems, and then headed to carousel 1 to get our bags, which (hence the title) were nowhere to be found.  They weren’t even loading more bags, so after looking in every nook and cranny (and having mom do the same) we were off to lost luggage.  We probably waited about 15 minutes in that line, until the lady told us that yes, our luggage was still in New York!  Silly luggage!  Now, she claims, that it will be here today at noon.  However, that means from the time she told us it was in NY to the time she says it will be here is 12 hours..hmm…we shall see what happens.

Mom and I, who are pretty high strung type A personalities, were both like, meh what are you going to do, and headed on out.  The nice thing was we had ordered a car service thru the hotel, and they were still waiting for us (over an hour and 20 minutes after we landed! Yay!)  So that was really nice because we did not have to worry about getting a cab! 

Check in to the hotel was no problem, and we did head out to the 24 hour convenience store (it is SO nice to know where you are!) to get some water and mom found Mountain Dew!  How cool!

We only slept about 6 hours (it was 3am by the time we went to bed) and with jetlag I am all messed up!  However, we did wake up to have breakfast at the hotel, and now we will wait for our bags (fingers crossed!!!)  I, luckily, have capris and a t-shirt (what we always wear to the orphanage) but mom doesn’t have any great outfits (I wont go in to the options she was showing me, believe me you don’t wanna know!).  Regardless, if the luggage doesn’t come we will still head over this afternoon to see our kids!

Weekends are a bit strange at the orphanage as the “big room” isn’t open, so the kids literally stay in their little rooms all day (aka do absolutely nothing).  I love going because volunteers have the weekends off so we really are the only visitors.

Well its only 11am, and I have only been up for 2 hours - but I think a nap is needed :P  (I am a terrible poster child for getting over jet lag!)

Fingers crossed for luggage!