Hanoi and Embassy Interview

Binh told us that Hanoi is a lot hotter and humid than HCMC. That was really reassuring since HCMC felt like it was 95 degrees all the time. Being in Hanoi for the past two days, we've noticed a significant decline in the pollution from the scooter exhaust. There are a LOT less scooters in Hanoi. The city is smaller than HCMC and you can definitely see the French and Chinese influence throughout the city. The streets and buildings have more charm and charisma. Some of the streets, resaurants and landscapes remind you of some parts in Europe.

The Embassy interview on Monday went without a hitch. Much like I expected and read from other blogs. There were no problems with obtaining visas for the babies and Binh dropped off the official documents and visas that we have to carry and present to U.S. customs once we land on U.S. soil. We are still scheduled to leave at 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday night (yuck!). The interview at the Embassy was more like two question;, how long have we been in Hanoi and how are we enjoying the visit? They didn't ask us any questions about the babies or about the adoption process. Not like the interview we had with CIS in HCMC. After the Embassy apptmt, we bought some Embassy hats and shirts for souvenirs. We thought the trip to Hanoi was such a waste. We had to spend three days in Hanoi for a ten minute interview. Maybe that's why the Embassy is changing the process where the families will now be able to obtain the visas through the U.S. Consulate in HCMC instead of Hanoi. Wish they would have done that before we arrived! Oh well.

Here are some snapshots of Hanoi. This will be my last post in Vietnam as we have a long trip ahead of us. It is 11 p.m. on Tuesday night. We have the hotel room until 12 noon on Wednesday. Two families were able to reserve their rooms until 8 p.m. on Wednesday. We weren't able to hold on to our room because there are Soccer tournaments going on all week in Hanoi and the Sheraton is booked solid. We will most likely "bunk" with one of the families who still have their rooms.

It's been a nice visit in Hanoi but we are very anxious to sleep in our own beds and most importantly, be with Sebastian!!

Views right outside the Sheraton hotel.










St. Joseph's Cathedral in Old Quarters.










Ava playing on the bed in our hotel room. The crib fit in between the beds.





We walked around this lake in the Old Quarters.