2004 Vietnam Aid Expedition - Day 8

Monday, June 14, 2004

Subject: Day 8

Wow.  Today was quite a day!  We had breakfast buffet at the hotel (very good selection) and then went to catch the ferry which took us across to a resort island.  We got started playing right away with the kids - all kinds of water games.  Lots of fun.  Got a little sunburned - even with SPF 48!!  We had a nice lunch buffet then some rest and then more playing. 

Tonight we had dinner at a Vietnamese BBQ place where you grill you meat and seafood at your table.  Very good surf (squid) and turf (beef).  Then it was off to see the kids and have a bon fire (it's got to be 90 degrees with at least 90% humidity and yes! we had a bonfire!! ) and a fashion show.  "Eyes of the Sea" was the theme.  Some of the costumes were AMAZING!!!  I hope Caroline posts lots of pictures of that.  Then we had the closing ceremony and received gifts from the kids and the YMCA.  Then we sang a song after we all lit candles - sharing the light.  Then lots of goodbye tears even though we'll see them all off early tomorrow morning. 

Even though I met lots of kids from other shelters, the girls from Little Rose Warm Shelter stole my heart - and I don't think I'm alone.  They are so beautiful and so sweet.  And their stories are tragic.

Tomorrow we meet the kids at 6:00 to say our final goodbyes as they board the buses, then we're off to visit a Buddhist Temple and then to take a hot mud bath!!!  Then we're back on the bus for a 3-4 hour ride to Dalat.

It's so amazing here - the people, the scenery, the food.  It's something everyone should experience.  It's a great reminder of how much we have and take for granted.

Hope all is well at home!

Love,

Kathy

p.s.  I found a major design flaw in the hotel bathroom when I started to blow dry my hair last night.  I was just about to plug in the blow dryer when I realized that since I had just taken a shower, the whole bathroom floor was wet.  YIKES!!  Needless to say, I went to bed with wet hair!!  : )

p.s.s.  Kevin, my friend and chiropractor, can I have an appointment next Monday????

Island Paradise

At the beach with some new friends

Ok, who took this picture???

Eleanor with some new friends.

Beautiful Jack.

Ferry ride

BBQ restaurant

Surf and Turf

Me and Susan

Bon Fire

Goodbye, Minh!

My roommate, Barb and the Little Roses

Amelia and Little Roses

Goodbye Little Roses!