Reunification Day

In Viet Nam today, people are enjoying a day off for Reunification Day, celebrating the fall of Sai Gon. Looking at the details of this day in history is difficult. So many people were left that wanted to go. Children were taken and parents were left. Tears and fear were everywhere, both with the American soldiers and the Vietnamese. Nowadays, the day is celebrated, like America's Independence Day, to mark the bringing together of the country. Just as Ho Chi Minh had long fought for.

It seems ironic as I think about the ensuing "Operation Babylift" and the current state of adoptions to America from Viet Nam. Lines have been drawn and American adoptions will be ending this fall if there isn't some miraculous agreement between the nations.

I can't help but wonder what will happen to the dear children in Tam Ky. So many of them were adopted to the States and that will end. The sponsoring of the baby orphanage will likely end as well (since the flow of funds/adoptions fees will stop). What will be the consequences? I worry that the volunteers of Tam Ky will fade as well, though perhaps it will require more help and elicit more volunteers. The kids will need them and the extra fruit and yogurt that they bring each day.

I want so badly to head back there, bringing along money, clothes, toys... It was so much easier to do so when we lived in-country, but now the transportation costs are a bit prohibitive, though I'm doing what I can to figure out how to do so. Part of it will be the rice bags that Mr. Tung's sister made. They'll be online soon and will help to pay for a gift-laden visit, ensuring that everything arrives to the children in need.

Today, I can't help but wonder about all the kids there and the frustration of so many and the celebration of others.

Ninh Binh

Despite the hour's wait for the taxi and witnessing yet another motorbike accident, we finally caught a bus and headed toward Ninh Binh to meet my friend Keith who was making his way down from Ha Noi. He'd been here almost exactly one year ago and was kind enough to show us the local attractions, along with his local friend Kien. The five of us spent Sunday and Monday seeing the sights around the area.

First we hit Hoa Lu, the ancient capitol of Viet Nam (968-1009 CE). It's surrounded by the limestone formations that dot the area around Ninh Binh, which proved to be a good defense against the Chinese invasions of the time.

Then we headed to Hang Mua, a cave (man-made, it seems) and an amazing view as a reward for the 463-step climb. I suggested they make those rises a little lower and up the number of steps, because dang, those were some steep stairs. Always a fun adventure for someone with a fear of heights. Eek. We had to step carefully to avoid the plentitude of fecal proof of the mountains goats that proliferate in the area.

So after all those stairs up, this is the view we got. I hate cliches, but honestly, it was breathtaking. The rain was coming in and it was amazing just to see so far out and around. It's refered to as the "Ha Long Bay in the Rice Fields" which is a pinpoint description. Beautiful.

After our descent we headed to Tam Coc, a one-hour boat ride through three caves, up and back. it's really beautiful, and worth the 55,000VND fee, but not super amazing. Audrey pouted and had to paddle, we got the hard sell and managed to get out with only buying 2 drinks and shrimp crackers. It was a relaxing bit for us alone while Keith and Kien had an afternoon nap.

We finished there, found the guys and headed to Bich Dong, a series of pagodas built up the mountainside. The second pagoda is an entrance to the cave and internal ascent to the third pagoda. The kids managed to trick me into climbing up the mountain--heart palpatations be damned. We followed the well-used hand and foot holds up the mountainside until it became clear that it wasn't so safe (the skull and crossbones were a good sign). Both kids wanted to venture off, but I was a cruel mother and made them head down to safety instead.

On the second day (today), we headed out to Phat Diem, a Christian enclave about 45km southwest of Ninh Binh. There are quite a few churches in the area, but there's a central complex that is the main tourist attraction. Somehow they merged Roman Catholic architecture with Asian architecture and it worked, even though it does seem odd to see a Christ statue in this land of Budda.

For lunch we stopped at a local restaurant and while I cannot give a glowing review of the food, I can say that the bottled body parts were quite intriguing. Snakes. Goat testicles. Cat feet. Really, who thought you could find this stuff next to your lunch table? Truly bizarre.

And the reason for my sunburned face and arms? I got to ride the motorbike! All by myself on the way and with Stuart as my passenger on the bumpy return ride. Interesting how doing the things that scare me really does make me less scared. I'd fretted about the bike ride, that I wanted so badly to do, for the past week... up until I'd been riding for about 2 minutes. Then all my panic just slipped away and I was sure I could do it. And I did.

Special thanks to Keith and Kien for making the holiday extra grand. We even got to catch up on "Heroes," a show we actually miss. I think we're actually one episode behind still, but we'll just hit iTunes for that.

Victory Day

It's a strange day to be an American as Vietnamese celebrate Victory Day. It was this date, in 1975, that the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon fell to Communist forces and the American troops fled. It's impossible to not feel a little befuddled by the whole war. I know such a limited amount, so I don't understand much beyond the simple ideas which makes it hard to make much contribution to any discussion. Except "I'm sorry so many people died."