So long, farewell!

The kids LOVE Velcro watches.  Mom wears one and every time and they love to play with it.  You can’t really find them over here, so we started getting a few in the States to bring over.  However, I can’t figure out how to work the darn things – and thee alarms keep going off in the middle of the night!  Before we left, two nights in a row they went off at 4am.  They have gone off a couple of times here, but I thought I managed to figure out how to shut it off.  However, last night one went off again!

Anyway, we had the same bus as yesterday – although today wasn’t a party bus it was just really loud on the news station.  Thoung was ready to go out for a walk when we got there – but Hai really wanted to listen to some music.  He points to his ear, makes a noise, points to my pocket (where I usually keep my phone) and he knows I know what he wants.  

We listened to music for a bit with the speakers we bought – and then decided to take some kids out for a walk.  It worked out well because Dorothy (Car Rot) wanted to go out, so Hai was ready to go and Thoung helped us get the strollers ready.  However, the strollers can be tricky because a lot of the kids don’t “bend” in the right areas (mostly their legs) so trying to get them in a stroller can be really tricky.  It is definitely on my list for next year to figure out how to bring over strollers (ones without a tray or anything in the front so kids can easily get in).  They are very expensive here (Long says they are really a luxury) so food for thought for next time.  However, we got Dorothy in one (with Hai pushing) and another friend, Mom named him George, in another with Thoung pushing.

I don’t know where he found it/who gave it to him…but Thoung has a laser pointer that he LOVES pointing on Mom (and then she will try and grab it and push it off).  It is SO funny to watch him – especially when she isn’t paying attention and then she notices – he bursts out laughing!!!  He thinks she is so funny!

Anyway we were off for our walk around the Pagoda.  We had the music going and stopped in an area to listen to some.  Last year I had downloaded a bunch of kid songs, so we listened to the “Chicken Dance Song” and mom and I danced the dance.  I don’t think we got a good video (mostly because we were laughing too hard) but Hai got into the Chicken Dance and did it along with us.  He’s so cute because he really only has use of the left half of his body but he was getting down and loving every minute of it.

It was a really fun way to end our last day with all of our favorites!!!  However, we knew they would be eating soon so headed back in to get them ready for chow time.

I fed a cutie today.  Well, they are all cute, but this is the guy Long fed a few days ago, and asked Long “who is playing the music?” so I brought over my phone so we could listen to music while he ate which I think he loved!  He especially loved changing the song or closing out of an app so it would go back to the screen! 

He did a really good job eating.  Today they had rice and fish (the “normal” meal – which is often VERY dry) so I put some of the broth into it.  I can’t always tell if they like that (easier to swallow) or if really they are saying that’s gross!  However, we did pretty well until half way thru what we left of just the broth he was trying to pull off his bib – he was done!

I left my phone with him so he could listen to music (they are really very good about being careful with it – as long as you know who to leave it with!)  But at one point another kid brought it over to me as it said, “iPhone is locked, try again in 1 minute”.  Oops..who knows how they managed that one – but I kept it until the minute was up and I was able to get back in.  I should probably take off the passcode while I am here.

Anyway, Hai and Dorothy (I think I have mentioned this – but as a friendly reminder this is what Mom named her) were finished as well so I brought their bowels and bibs in to be washed and Hai was showing me it was time to brush his teeth!  So I brought Dorothy over (as she cant walk) and Hai wanted me to come in and help (usually the workers do this – but nobody was really around/seemed like they wanted to step in).  I sort of knew the process (the first year I was here, the two others I was volunteering with spoke Vietnamese – one fluent and one partially – so I did a lot more of this kind of thing).  Anyway he showed me that we had to put on a special bib and then which toothbrush was his.  Dorothy also showed me we had to fill up a cup with water so they could wash out their mouths (two times according to her demonstration).

Hai brushed away, rinsed and I thought we were good to go – but he still needed to clean off his toothbrush.  I thought we were good (I didn’t want to use too much water) but he wasn’t happy with the job because he could still see a little toothpaste left in the bristles.  When he felt satisfied, we moved on to Dorothy.  I couldn’t figure out if she came into the little kitchen/bathroom area or not (again, since she cant walk) – but she helped me figure out that she just moved her chair up close.  Hai and I lifted up each toothbrush that was left until we found hers (a sweet Barbie one) and we were good to go!

I would seriously considering hiring a photographer/videographer to follow us around some time.  There are SO many funny moments that I wish I could capture for everyone to see!  These kids crack me up!

At this point my phone was brought back to me with “iPhone is locked, try again in 5 minutes”.  Oops, I think that’s enough time with the phone today!

Hai wanted to listen to a little music (even though it was naptime) so we put some on but also wanted to take a few pictures.  Dorothy came up with the idea to stick out our tongues (which they all loved) and Thoung and I were taking a selfie and she said something to him and then he stuck his tongue out too!

Hai then gave me back my phone and motioned that it was time for a nap.  The kids are VERY good about listening to the workers/knowing the rules (although I am sure they get slapped around if they don’t…) however, they know when its nap time/time for us to leave and don’t put up a fight.  We gave out our hugs and kisses and then gave cards to the workers. 

Mom had a great idea about giving the workers some money this year.  There are usually 6 of them in the big room and they work so hard for the kids and are so nice to us (and we know they don’t make a lot).  We got them cards for Tet (Vietnamese New Year) that have kids on the front and wrote thank you in Vietnamese inside with some money.  It was a bit awkward handing them out – what we were hoping to say (and will translate for next time) is something to the extent of “Thank you for all of your hard work with the kids – we appreciate it and will see you next year” but anyway the head lady (we probably should learn her name) opened up her card and the money fell out and they were VERY appreciative (and we were glad they realized there was some good stuff in there and didn’t chuck the card!!!)

The head lady gave us a hug (again – TWICE in one trip), which I absolutely loved!

It was honestly the BEST last day to end the trip!

After another pasta filled meal, we came back to shower and rest for a bit.  As luck would have it – this is the first day I have actually felt good, AND I was a big girl and didn’t need a nap today!

We scheduled a massage for ourselves AT the hotel.  In the past, we have gotten them in the backpacker’s district (cheap, which is nice, but also cheap!) but we decided to treat ourselves after the week and get one in our hotel.  The beds here aren’t very comfortable (well, they are hard, which maybe some people like) so I am sore from that..and then we get VERY sore from the orphanage (hoisting kids around, kids pulling and pushing you, etc.) so needless to say the massage was WELL needed and wonderful!  It was also so nice to then just take the elevator back to the room and not go outside and get dirty and sweaty, etc.  What a special treat!

We then headed out to the theater!  I have wanted to attend something at the Saigon Opera House since my first time – but never had any interest in whatever was playing.  However, this time there was a Blue Man Group/ Cirque du Soleil type performance, so we decided to end our last night by going!  It was really cool to finally get inside the Opera House (its pretty small) and the show itself was pretty good.  There were some slow parts – but it was cute and funny and worth seeing.

We then treated ourselves to a rooftop dinner at our hotel.  When we were here 2 years ago we snuck up as there was construction going on.  I still can’t imagine how what we saw turned in to this – however, it was really very cool!  It over looks Ben Than Market and the traffic circle – and the nights here are so beautiful and so nice to be outside!  It was a perfect end to our trip.

So alas, we are packing up and ready to head out in the morning – well, hopefully since you fools are getting SNOW!  The high has been mid to upper 80s (although it feels hotter in the city/when the sun is out).  We land in Boston around midnight Friday night – where the low is going to be around -6.  That’s a solid 90 degree difference.  Brrrrr.

However, we have had a FANTASTIC time – and cant wait to be back next year!