1st full day in Hanoi

Well things are looking up today. We started out this morning early. I did
not sleep well on the rock bed last night so I was up and ready to go. We
decided to take a walk to the other side of town to the Somerset to beg for a
room. We stopped on the way and bought Mark a "Rolex" watch. OI
am trying this haggling to get better at it but not much success today. I saw a
cute little quilted dragonfly Jacket for my 4 year old but she would not move on
the price. I must have picked the wrong shop. She let me
walk away. I heard they mark up their wares 100% when they see an American and you should only pay 25-50% of their first stated price. Oh well, I guess I better keep practicing.

It was a nice walk past the lake. Very breathtaking today with
the mist. Pictures do not do it justice. I was very nervous about crossing the
street but I did fine. The old quarter of town is quite an experience. Something
you definitely have to see. All the people right on the middle of the sidewalk
doing their thing. I thought we would be more noticeable but that doesn't seem to
be the case. People just seem to look right past us. I feel like we are blending
in.

When we got to the Somerset they said they did not have a room come back
tomorrow. I kept pushing and he eventually came up with a 2 bedroom executive
suite. We don't need something that big but it is great. It feels like home.
Definitely somewhere I can bring the babies back to comfortably. Now I feel more
settled and ready to go get them.

We met a family adopting from Bach Ninh through WC as we were checking out
of the Hong Ngoc. Shoot, I can't remember her name. Their G&R is on
Monday. Their are a few families going to Bach Ninh.

We also got a call from Kent and her Husband Frank. They are the
3rd couple adopting from Lang son on Tuesday. They are adopting a 4 1/2
month old little boy. They came over to out apartment at the Somerset and we
visited with them for a while.