Day 6

Sleeping did not go so well last night, as Scott can tell you when were texting at 3am.  At least when you can’t sleep in Vietnam there are plenty of people awake to keep you virtual company. 

We were up and out and by 8 and luckily didn’t have to wait long for the bus.  Jiao’s coffee shop doesn’t open until ~10am, so we headed straight for the orphanage and we were greeted by Kap “running” (as best he can) down the stairs, with a huge smile and a big hug once he reached us!  Why he wasn’t in school, we aren’t exactly sure, but he pointed for us to head into the big room as he had other things to do (although we saw him back in the big room a few minutes later).

Thoung was kind of curled up on the floor really crying, which we usually see once a visit.  It’s so sad and hard to see, but we try and look at it as at least we are there to keep him company and take his mind off things.  After a few minutes he stopped crying, we got him up, got his shoes on, and we were off! 

Bob & Charli

Since we had Charli with us (yay Charli) we had power in numbers, so we had Bob, Thoung, Kap and Katrina (she really needs a one-on-one for constant walking).  I would say our IT support has really improved and if they could review us I think we would get 8 out of 10 for our customer service.  They actually crack me up because I have a folder of apps called “Vietnam” and so I can just hand them my phone and they can get in to the games they want.  Bob was doing a great job with this “farm” game (a new one I downloaded) where he had to find the animals and Kap was rocking out a puzzle!  As I was walking around with Katrina, one of the workers came out to say we needed to head inside to eat.  I was trying to tell her, “ok let me go round up the troops” but she wasn’t having it and I almost thought she was going to block me from going back!  Instead, I just handed Katrina off to her (suckerrrr) and made a break for it!

Hide & Seek with Bob

We got everyone back inside and Dorothy was back from school.  Kap was hoping for some sunglasses for her, but we were all out, so I think we hooked her up with some other goodies! 

I had my same guy for meal time today and we really have masters our rice to broth ratio, although we were still too slow because we were the last ones and the worker had to come over and mix it all up and kind of rush him.  I felt bad, but hopefully he enjoyed our slow pace!

Since we were the last ones to finish everyone was already ready for naptime so we were ready to hit the road.  Jiao was excited to see us (and met Charli) at the coffee shop, and she was so cute and turned on the AC for us!  We chatted more about her move to Vietnam (and all the hassle) and liked her Facebook page and said we would go back tomorrow for some lunch!  It’s definitely an awesome post orphanage stop!

Little did I know we were about to get on the bus from hell, aka hell on wheels.  It was so hot, and so crowded and standing room only – it was awful.  If you’d like to skip over my venting, please precede to the next paragraph.  So, I have plantar fasciitis, and have had it since September when I was trying to do couch to 5K.  In October, when I realized it wasn’t getting any better, I went to a podiatrist (talk about feeling like an adult, yes I have a podiatrist) and started a frozen water bottle, night splint, anti-inflammatory pills regiment.  In November, with no change, I started PT!  And that’s where I am now.  I am supposed to wear sneakers and do my exercises every day, but that really hasn’t been happening (the exercises are my fault, but there are no shoes inside the orphanage, so its easier to wear flip flops and then slide them off when we get there).  ANYWAY, my point is, in combination with everything else, the bus ride was really miserable because I don’t think my feet have ever hurt more.  Then it was like, I’m tired of my feet hurting, I’m tired of being tired from not sleeping great, I’m tired of these noises and smells and sounds and heat!  I also can’t seem to figure out my computer and photos (of course, the second day here my phone says its out of space).  I think I have it managed for now, but if anyone understands photos on a Mac, or iCloud and wants to offer their knowledge and services to me, I’m game!  Needless to say, it was a well-needed afternoon of a shower and a NAP!  I kind of just dozed off (and haven’t been napping at all because I didn’t want to mess up my sleep any more) but it was definitely needed today!

We had talked about going to a pizza place for dinner, and I had emailed to make reservations and they never emailed me back so I figured we would just show up, but I’m glad we didn’t because they emailed back to say they had no tables between 6-9pm!  It was not that busy when we came last year, so I am not really sure how they do their reservations, but anyway I’m glad we didn’t venture there to be turned away!

I was still ready to go out (I felt like I needed to get out) but Charli and Mom were happy to stay in, so I took myself on a date to Ciao Bella!  You all may think I am adventurous, but I'm really not, and couldn't wait for some Italian!

I felt bad as I went to get a taxi out in front of the hotel (there is usually one waiting along with a guy at the hotel who hails it) because I guess my driver was maybe grabbing a drink or a newspaper or something because all of a sudden he was running from across the street!  Luckily, I wasn't hangry, so wasn't in any rush.

I was one of the first ones in the restaurant, where I was greeted with champagne (I don't even like champagne but I liked being greeted that way!) and bread! Yum!

I ordered a ginger ale that came in a big glass with ice, just like back home! Wow! It was so nice!!!

My cheese pizza was delicious, and the place was packed by the time I was ready to go!  I decided to treat myself to a foot massage, and was so glad I did!  Not to be a Debbie Downer, but it was a little bit too much leg and Thai (meaning they stretch you more than they massage) then I was hoping, but it still felt fab, and now I’m thinking I need one every night as it cheaper (and more enjoyable) than PT back home!