Our Last Weekend in Vietnam

After the I-600 approval, we had to rush to the embassy again to drop off the sealed medical reports from the SOS clinic, the girls’ passports and our application for their VISAs to enter the United States. We dropped the paperwork off on Wednesday and had our VISA interview on Thursday. The VISA “interview” took a total of 10 minutes. We just had to confirm all the data was correct and sign the application in front of a U.S. government official. As soon as we signed it he said we could come back on Friday after 4:00 to pick up the VISAs and two sealed envelopes we needed to give to the immigration officer when we reached the United States.

When we went back on Friday all we had to do was pick up the girls’ passports and make sure the right VISA was glued into the correct passport. It was great to see the VISA in place making it a reality that we could bring the girls home. After we picked up the VISAs, we were able to meet with the Chief of the unit handling all of the adoption issues. We had a nice visit about policy issues and he had some great ideas about making the adoption process better and more ethical throughout Vietnam.

The weekend was my last power shopping event. On Saturday morning, we got a linen suit for P and some more keepsake items for the girls. In the afternoon, we went on a tour of a traditional silk making village. They showed us the silkworm cocoons, the way they got the individual strands of silk and how they weaved it into cloth. It was very interesting and very loud. The village, of course, had numerous shops for buying silk ties, shirts and other items. P bought a number of new ties. I think some of his last bargain silk ties from Korea will be replaced. One of the interesting things we saw and experienced was the silk worm wine. Yes, after the silk worms have produced all they can, they are “retired” to a jug, where they are covered with high grade alcohol and allowed to ferment. The wine was strong smelling and tasting. P was the first to volunteer. He described it like a strong whiskey that warms you all the way down. Even I had a taste. T. had the camera and took photos of my reaction. The tour guide gave us a nice history of Hanoi as we drove to the village.

Sunday was set aside as P’s packing day. I went shopping with one of the other moms and we left the men to watch the children. After I left, P told me Sophie was a little upset Mom left without her. That is either a good sign of attachment, or that she really likes to shop. P packed all morning, with the help from the girls. We will need to go through all the empty plastic bags to make sure his helpers did not help him by putting things in the bags he thought were empty. After they had lunch, it was naptime. Lily decided she had to fold their pajamas from last night before they could lie down. Of course, as Lily was folding, Sophie was unfolding and laughing. Eventually, P distracted Sophie long enough for Lily to finish straightening up so they could take their naps. Lily had to tuck her doll in under a fuzzy blanket before going to sleep. She slept curled up next to the doll, with her hand on it. Very cute!

Sunday night we were invited to a dinner hosted by the hotel for the families staying here while our adoptions are being processed in Hanoi. It should be an interesting event. This will probably be our last post until we get home. We leave Monday morning at 9:00 for the airport. Our flight to Taipei leaves at 12:30. After a short lay over in Taipei, we board our flight to San Francisco. We land about 2:00 local time in San Francisco. We will then go through customs and immigration. Once the girls go through immigration, they are officially U.S. citizens. To make it easier on the girls, we are going to spend the night in San Francisco. We will also be able to see my sister and niece. On Tuesday we finish the journey to Cedar Rapids. The little, southern country girls may find it a bit colder weather outside their new home, but they will find their home is filled with the everlasting warmth of family and friends.