Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Mekong Delta, Cu Chi Tunnels, and Ha...

I don't even know where to belong with how our day went.

8 am today we were to be picked up at the hotel to be brought on our private tour to the Mekong Delta and the Cu Chi tunnels. That was all we knew. We had no expectations except this was an all day excursion. Sometimes it is much more fun this way! But... we did have a little snafu when the paperwork told us we needed to contact the company prior to boarding and when we called, all numbers were unknown. The staff at the hotel assured us we were all set and we decided to trust them, since we had no other choice. We went upstairs to eat breakfast quickly and the nice doorman came to get us when the tour was finally here. Kim and I were so excited to be doing this tour because this would be the authentic experience of Vietnam we have and will be looking for! 

Ha, our tour guide, greeted us in the lobby with Mr. Chow, our driver.  They were so friendly and so professional and clearly had done this many times before. We were on our way to the Cu Chi Tunnels! After about a 1.5 hour drive through Ho Chi Minh city and the outskirts, we arrived. Even though it was a long drive, we made SO many observations. People live so simply here. Nothing lavish. People work hard in the fields. There are many many markets, which is shocking how everyone seems to have the same, or similar professions. Kim and I wondered how busy it could be during the day, and how not many people had "real" jobs. We'd see kids helping out their families and clearly not in front of a TV or video game. One other thing we noticed was how much trash there is. EVERYWHERE. It's amazing because at lunch yesterday, we dropped something and told not to pick it up. We are fascinated by the Vietnamese culture and their lack of cleanliness. But, it works for them and their simplicity. 

The Cu Chi Tunnels were first. This was an amazing experience. We saw thatched roof buildings that were similar to what Kim was probably abanonded in when she was a baby. Between yesterday and today it has been an eye opener to see what the Vietnam war was like for the Vietnam people. They dug these tunnels to keep away from the American soldiers. They were 3 meters deep and connected for Km to Km under ground to keep families and militia safe. Hand made. It was incredible. 


I knew initially I didn't want to go into the actual tunnel. I don't have many fears but claustrophobia is real for me. Kim was a great support and understanding. I mean she had listened to gun fire from AK-47 and remembered being scared of thunder as a baby. I had to go with her in the tunnels.  

But they were small. We didn't know what to expect. The tunnels were intense. We were single file, crouched down so low, walking one behind the other. Kim and I both ended up with very strong panic attacks. I was nervous and kept it in. But kim had a tough time. If there was an emergency, there was no way out. And the tunnels just connected and connected and we could have ended up somewhere else! The tunnels went between 3-9 meters... depending on the guerillas living quarters and where they kept the artillery and bombs for the war. I can't imagine what these people tried to do to save their families. Makes me think even harder about how lucky kim is to be alive. 

Next, we went to the Mekong delta. The drive was long. Good thing we were in an air conditioned truck. Kim and I napped but the further we got into the countryside, the harder it was to ignore the poverty and mess. It's shocking how people live here but also makes me realize how materialistic we are! Ha took us to a great place for lunch. We dropped the car off and got on the back of bicycles (so quickly we couldn't even take a picture) and ended up at a little restaurant that fed us native vietamese pancakes and meat. 
 








It was a delicious lunch. But we saw things we aren't used to. The place looked dirty. Dishes were done out back with water that probably wasn't drinkable. We didn't see the kitchen but food was served so fast that we didn't have a chance to think about it. The Vietnamese are such a proud, Friendly culture, it's hard to say no. We chose not to eat the non-cooked items and moved on. Ha was great... very hospitable. And then we got on a boat after resting for a few. 

The Mekong delta is incredibly dirty. We asked Ha and she said it is from the soil from the trees. The boat was fun. But also run down... everything here is shaded. No possbilibity of getting tan. Kim and I went out on the front of the tiny part of the boat to take pictures but it was too hot, so we ended up inside. We also got a chance to wear the traditional Vietnamese hat on our bike which followed us on our ride. 
 

The Mekong Delta shops first came with coconut candy. We then saw a dress Kim fell in love with and bought. Then, we sat and ate fresh fruit. We got bombarded by a bunch of native women who wanted to take pictures with me, assumingly because of my blonde hair and American "look." Within seconds, it began to rain. And rain hard. We finished up our fruit and Ha let us know we needed to put our ponchos on because we were heading to the farm. The bee pollen farm we would see the snake at! We loved the little shops at the Mekong Delta and watching the little girls dance in the rain but we needed to keep moving or we would never get back to the hotel. When Ha mentioned going to a farm, I didn't realize (and neither did Kim) that we would be going by boat!!! This was probably my favorite part of the day. 


During this thunderstorm, with a waterproof camera, all we could think was how awesome it was to be living as an authentic Vietnamese person. Not worrying about the thunder or lightening, going by means of transportation  they knew about in order to survive and work. We ended up at a bed farm where we learned about the effects of bee pollen, royal jelly, and honey on a persons healty. We topped off the night by being greeted by a local snake, that had no name, and no one could tell us what type. 

Needless to say, it was an amazing day learning a lot about the culture. We are in awe of the hardworking atmosphere this culture provides. It's simple and it works. We wonder how this could impact Americans and how Americans would have an effect here after so many years. 

Allambie Orphanage and the Vietnam War Memorial

Today was unexpectedly full of emotions for me and understandably for Kim. Suzanne had a whole day planned for us... from lunch to dropping us at the Vietnam War Memorial to finally visiting the orphanage we've waited months to see with this woman who Kim has so many connections to. 

Lunch: 
Suzanne and two of her children, Shar, and Nhi came to pick us up on their motorbikes and drove us to a delicious lunch in a non-tourist area of Ho Chi Minh City. We ate Bun Cha (see picture below) which this restaurant was known for. We laughed hard at conversations about how "woof woof" is a delicacy and eaten in the countryside of Vietnam on holidays such as Christmas and Tet (vietnmese new year). We laughed at how the Vietnamese drop things on the floor and don't pick it up, it is customary to leave it to have the staff sweep up at the end of the day! Crazy! 
 
 
Vietnam War Memorial:
This part was unexpected. Suzanne strongly recommended we go here so we could understand more about the circumstances surrounding Kim's birth. Bottom line: Kim is lucky to be alive.... she is lucky that her life turned out the way that it did. So many children died in the Vietnam war. Just because they were children didn't mean that their lives were spared. This made it that much harder to realize that Kim could be a child of war. Who knows what could have happened to her. So much happened during the Vietnam war and I don't think Kim nor I had a handle on what the American relationship with Vietnam was during the war. 


We also went to the Notre Dame church and post office which were both French and not bombed by the war. It was an amazing site to see things that survived because so much of the city was destroyed. 

Allambie:
The end of the night was the best. We got an opportunity to spend the night with the children of the orphanage. There is nothing that would too this night off. Kim and I got to use rice paper to make our own spring rolls, sit with a family that shows more love that we have ever seen, and play a new card game that Americans wouldn't understand. Immediately we felt a part of this home... we wished we could stay longer when we left. The children embraced us. The night was full of laughter and games and culture. 
    
The orphanage is a home we couldn't imagine experiencing. Suzanne, the founder, is an amazing influence in the lives of these children. As teachers, one can only hope a child loves them this much outside of their biological parents. Kim cried leaving. The kids told her this was a "see you later," not a "goodbye."  They are one of the biggest reasons we are here and cannot wait to share with our students. 

Sunday, June 25, 2017

Finally in Vietnam...

Stop what you're doing and just imagine this...

Imagine you don't have a clue about the circumstances surrounding how and when you were conceived. You don't know anything about the first two years of your life other than pieces of paper of proof that you existed in a foreign place; in an orphanage... in a land you know nothing about. Imagine you live this amazing life based on everything you know, a secure and happy life and just like that, you have a chance to go back to your roots. Your true roots in a culture that is so beyond anything you know. Not many people reading this can possibly imagine the emotions witnessed between two people today who share similar stories.
 
 

It took 35 hours of travel, lots of laughs, a little culture shock, and an unbreakable bond between friends who get each other, we arrived at the Majestic Hotel in Ho Chi Minh city. It is still unclear if they truly call it this or Saigon. Saigon is everywhere but the most up to date name for this city is Ho Chi Minh. Also, a fun fact is that the beautiful hotel we are staying in is the only hotel that wasn't bombed and destroyed in the Vietnam war. Kim and I arrived and were unable to get into our rooms-- all we wanted to do was shower. But... part of traveling is knowing that unexpected events will arise and you need to trust everything will be ok. 
 
 
  
Today we learned so much about the culture, thanks to Suzanne, our new friend from Allambie orpahange, who you will learn more about tomorrow. We learned that you walk across the street, in traffic, without stopping or running, and expect the cars to go around you. We learned that being "white" shows a sense of status in the country and therefore, women dress in full clothes despite the heat so they don't get tan, we learned that this is one FRIENDLY place but we need to be very careful because as westerners, they will take advantage of us because it is assumed we are "rich." We learned some very disturbing information about the truth behind Vietnamese orphanages, which really changed our thought process on all we knew about adoption.  Suzanne is a remarkable human being and we can't wait to share more about what she teaches us about giving back... 

Tomorrow we get to visit the Vietnam War Memorial and the orphanage with Suzanne.... it is going to be an eye-opening and emotional day. I've had trouble posting for a couple days now so hopefully I can tomorrow so you can follow along! Thank you, for supporting Kim! 

Friday, June 23, 2017

Vietnam, here we come


 
After days and then hours of waiting, we are finally boarding our plane in about an hour. Kim and I are nervous for what a nearly 16 hour plane ride will feel like. But, we are so excited about our trip and what the next 2 weeks will entail. We will be on the plane nearly all of Saturday and will arrive at 9:45 am on Sunday am (Ho Chi Minh time; 10:45 pm EST time).... the time change and money conversion of the Dong is very confusing to us but I am sure we will be pros when we are back! 

We will have more to report on soon I am sure. Safe travels! 

Love, Kim and Amanda

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Our Itinerary for Vietnam!


Kim and Amanda’s Itinerary to Vietnam: June 23rd-July 7th

Friday, June 23rd
 
 
Off we go!!
 
 
Kim and Amanda take Limo to JFK
 
Arrive at JFK 8pm
 
Saturday, June 24th
Ho Chi Mihn
Flight Information:
JFK to Ho Chi Mihn City
 
New York (JFK) à Taipei (TPE)
1:25 am à 5:15 am
EVA Airways 31
 
Taipei (TPE)à Ho Chi Mihn (SGN)
7:20 am à 9:45 am (Saturday 25th)
EVA Airways 395
Sunday, June 25th
Ho Chi Mihn
Arrive in Ho Chi Mihn @ 9:45 am
Hotel Accommodations Jun 25th à Jun 28th
Hotel Majestic Saigon
01 Dong Khoi Street District 1, Ho Chi Mihn City, 70000
Vietnam
+84 (08) 38295517
 
Excursion:
Night Street Food Tour @ 5:30
P/U @ hotel
Monday, June 26th
Ho Chi Mihn
 
Hotel Majestic Saigon
 
Orphanage Visit/Relaxation Day
 
 
Tuesday, June 27th
Ho Chi Mihn
 
Hotel Majestic Saigon
 
Excursion:
Private Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels Trip
8:00 am
P/U @ hotel
Wednesday, June 28th
Ho Chi Mihn
Hoi An/Danang
 
Check out: Hotel Majestic Saigon
 
Ho Chi Mihn (SGN) à Danang (DAD)
Jetstar Pacific 602
2:20 pm à 3:40
 
Hotel Accommodations:
Golden Sand Resort and Spa
Au Co Raod, Cua dai beach, Hoi An, Quang Nam Vietnam
+84 (235) 3927555
Thursday, June 29th
Hoi An/Danang
 
Golden Sand Resort and Spa
 
 
Excursion:
Half Day Rice Farm Day Trip
2 pm
P/U @ hotel
Friday, June 30th
Hoi An/Danang
 
Golden Sand Resort and Spa
 
Day of Relaxation
Visit 2nd Orphanage
 
Saturday, July 1st
Hoi An/Danang
 
Golden Sand Resort and Spa
 
Excursion:
Full Day Snorkeling Cham Island
8:15 am
P/U @ hotel
 
Sunday, July 2nd
Hoi An/Danang
 
Golden Sand Resort and Spa
 
Day of Relaxation
Explore Hoi An/Danang
 
Monday, July 3rd
Hoi An/Danang
Hanoi
Check out: Golden sand Resort and Spa
Flight Information:
Danang (DAD) à Hanoi (HAN)
Vietjet Air 4379
11:15 am à 12:30 pm
Hotel Accommodations:
Hanoi Pearl Hotel
No 6, Boa Khanh Lane, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi 10000 Vietnam
+84 (4) 39380777
Excursion:
Cyclo Tour in Hanoi with Water Puppet Show
6:00 pm (1800 hrs)
P/U @ hotel
Tuesday July 4th
Hanoi
 
Excursion:
2-Day Halong Bay Tour with Seaplane and Emeraude Cruise
Noi Bai International Airport
Time TBD
 
We will be sleeping on a cruise on Halong Bay this night!
 
Wednesday, July 5th
Hanoi
 
Excursion:
2-Day Halong Bay Tour with Seaplane and Emeraude Cruise
Noi Bai International Airport
Time TBD
 
Hotel Accommodations:
Hanoi Pearl Hotel
 
Thursday July 6th
Hanoi
 
Hanoi Pearl Hotel
 
Friday, July 7th
Last Day of Travel!
 
We’re on our way home!!
 
Check out: Hanoi Pearl Hotel
 
Flight Information:
Hanoi (HND)àTokyo (HND)
Vietnam Airlines 384
8:00 am à 3:05 pm
 
Tokyo (HND)àMinneapolis (MSP)
Delta 120
4:20 pm à 1:35 pm
 
Minneapolis (MSP) à Hartford (BDL)
Delta 2647
3:15 pm à 6:47 pm
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

*all flights are in the time zone in which we are in at that time.  ** Vietnam is 13 hours AHEAD of time in Connecticut (EST)