As I was dozing yesterday afternoon I heard some commotion outside. I looked out of the window and saw one person after another being herded from a building into what looked like a "paddy wagon". Men in dark green outfits held long white poles to direct the people--men and women who all appeared to be quite young, some looked to be onlye 14 or 15. I could have gotten a better photo but I wasn't sure how the authorities would feel so I took one from the window rather than from the balcony.
An Australian woman whose balcony adjoins mine was also watching, and I asked her if she knew what was happening. She said people in Vietnam have to live in the places they are officially assigned to live, and these people are "undocumented" or their documents indicate they should be living elsewhere. Most are probably from rural areas who came to HCMC to find work.
I wondered what that building was. I could see on the floor directly across from my third floor room--long narrow tables lined up with chairs like a classroom, and a large white bust of Ho Chi Minh at the front. I thought it was some kind of party headquarters but it is a police station.
Life is more or less carefree for me here--I am leaving soon for a three day trip to the Mekong Delta that I'm only paying forty dollars for, and that includes ten dollars extra for two meals and a "home stay" in a bungalow as well as two dollars extra because this is a holiday. One can forget that the locals are living a much different life.
And on a brighter note, another PAP (prospective adoptive parent for those outside the adoption realm) heard from the agency. Our documents were indeed certified today, will be sent to the DIA next week and then to the PDJ. The G&R will likely be the end of September or the beginning of October.
Maybe when I get back from the Mekong Delta I will have updated photos of Henry to post. I can't believe I am saying it--the last two times I got updates I thought they would be my last and that I would have already had my G&R.
4 comments:
I hope your G& R is sooner rather then later. Great to be able to communicate with you. Best wishes!
I'm enjoying reading your blog Scott! You will have so much to share with Henry about his birth country. I hope to see pictures of Henry in your arms soon!
Amazing pictures and posts Scott, thanks for sharing them with our family. Stay safe!
-Crystal
have you checked out this blog: http://journey4babyben.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html ? i think your kid looks just like theirs. Ben(the kid) was also from HCMC.
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