Yesterday we were all strolling the streets of “old town Hanoi” looking for souvenirs of our trip. Ok, I wouldn’t say “strolling” as we toughed out what felt like 100 degree heat and 99% humidity in tight, stinky streets. It was a shop marathon with bribes of ice cream (that didn’t really cut it given the circumstances so aunt jo through in some t-shirts too). Ethan and Graydon were real troopers none-the less. Momma #2 (that’s me) wasn’t such a trooper. Carrying a hot baby on my back for 4 hours in the heat knocked me out. Regardless of the complaining (mostly from me) we managed to get some really nice things for ourselves.
My goal was to buy Caily enough little presents so she can have at least one special gift from Vietnam on each birthday until she’s 10-13 – at which point I hope to have saved enough to bring her back for our first of many return trips. I also wanted to get her some traditional clothes for Tet celebrations from now until she’s 10. I managed to get her lots of great stuff – now I just need to figure out a place to hide it all at home…
The picture attached is of a family of artists who paint all day and sell their wares. All of us, the boys included, were blown away by their talent so we each bought a meaningful print (oil painting on canvas). Caily got two – one that looks like Vietnamese ghosts walking away in the rain. I had the artist translate and note on the back of it Caily’s Vietnamese name, her birthday and the following: “In memory of my ancestors. ” the other one is of two young beautiful Vietnamese girls passing a lotus flower between them. This will be a beautiful addition to her enchanted garden. Ok, she got lots of other meaningful things like a handmade quilt made by a community development non-profit that focus’s on giving Vietnamese and Cambodian mothers independent income. J I’m sure this will mean a lot to her one day…
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