So long, Saigon

If today’s flight to Hanoi was a preview of Wyatt’s future airline experience, I’m thinking that we may just stay here forever. I have never heard Wyatt scream and cry so loud, much less for nearly the whole 2 hour flight. The flight attendants and other passengers tried to be helpful and all seemed to think they knew what he needed. A couple of them even tried holding him for a bit, which really seemed to bother him. The whole episode was made worse by the fact that we didn’t have half of our supplies to try to entertain or comfort him. Vietnam Airlines informed me that I couldn’t bring a carry-on bag with wheels (even though it fit within their measurements). I tried to convince them that I had baby supplies that I needed and that we only had 2 carry-on bags for the 3 seats we bought, but they would not agree (mind you, I later saw other passengers that had bags with wheels.) We then had to try to fit all the stuff we needed in our one back-pack, which required a lot of elimination. When we then got back through the line to check our last bag, they told me that I was now overweight and would have to pay an excess baggage fee! Eventually they agreed that I should not be charged this. We eventually made it to Hanoi, with all of our luggage, and Wyatt fell asleep within minutes of getting off the plane, but it has left me fearing the long flight home.

Despite this start, our first impression of Hanoi is very positive. As I was expecting from the guide books, it is very different from HCMC. This was immediately apparent on the taxi ride in, where we could actually see trees and grass. It seems more relaxed and residential. This afternoon we took a taxi to Hoan Kiem Lake, which has a nice path encircling it. While there we visited a temple on a small island. On another island is Tortoise Tower, in honor of the large turtle who legend says reclaimed a sword for the gods.

We finished our walk with a stop to buy beverages—water for the boys formula and whiskey and Coke for me and Bill. Hard liquor is kind of hard to find here; I do like a refreshing beverage and while I like the local beer I then have a hard time staying awake much longer (these kids sure do wear me out!)

Wyatt continues to do well (other than the previously mentioned plane ride). He seems very interested in being like Isaac. This morning he had Isaac’s feeding tube and syringe and looked at his stomach trying to figure out where to put them. Earlier he was imitating Isaac’s toe-walking (I’m trying to stop that one now, as we don’t need 2 kids in OT). He also wants to eat whatever Isaac has, even though he doesn’t seem to know how to chew the tortilla chips; they both have been enjoying Puffed Corn. Isaac has been pretty good with Wyatt; he doesn’t make a point of interacting with him, but doesn’t get too frustrated when he messes with Isaac’s movie. Fortunately, Wyatt has shown no interest in Isaac’s blanket, or I think we’d have real problems.

Tomorrow afternoon we have our visa interview, which should hopefully be a quick formality. Before we were able to come to Vietnam, we had to have “pre-approval” of this, so now they just need some of the last documents from the g&r. This is the last official business we have to do, and then have until Sunday night to see more of the sights.