This guy was fantastic. (He is the guy whose dad drove us to the bus station in his jammies one night.) Luong is one of the happiest people I have ever met. He was so proud of his hotel- he just took it over 6 months ago and was trying to get it all fancy. He was constantly up and down- driving people places on his moped, arranging tours, taxis, etc. I wish I could have recorded his laugh and sometimes he’d get excited about something and do a little dance. If we had decided to stay and live in Ninh Binh- he’d be one of our best buddies. We were only there a couple of days, but he helped us get Em’s last rabies shot and was always giving the kids fruit, etc. When we left he was hugging us and waved to us until we drove out of sight. Wow!
vietnam
For Baby Walter and Baby Sidney
We picked these up in Laos for our baby friends. They’ll be fine for Walter, but Sid Hamlett is getting so big, so fast! Jackie, what the heck are you feeding him!? hee
The last of the rabies shots
I can’t remember if I already blogged about this- I can’t seem to find it. Anyhoo, we got to see some crazy things and meet interesting people while on our quest to get Em’s shots. Mission accomplished! In Haiphong, we went to about six different places including an AIDS clinic and a dental office. Our car broke down in Koh Lanta. In Koh Lipe, we walked in to find a nurse sitting barefoot at a desk picking at her feet. We had to do charades for a dog bite and getting a shot on numerous occasions. In Ninh Binh, our cab driver had to call a friend who could speak English so he could translate and tell the doctor. Whew! 5 sets of shots in 4 different countries! Done deal.
Check out #5. Maddux needs to chill out on his beer drinking. Thank goodness they let him in.
Paradise Cave was spectacular!

Maddux did some research on stalactites and found out that it takes a century for a stalactite to grow about an inch. That is mind blowing!
Using the power of Buddha to help my friend, Allie!

One of my best buddies, Allie, is going to have a baby in May. Her doctor wants the baby to turn- right now he is standing upright and the doctor wants him to be head down. We found this beautiful golden Buddha and I made lots of wishes for her and Baby!!!
Sending you a ton of positive energy every day, lady! All will be perfect- he’ll turn when the time is right for him. I hate to tell you this, but sometimes kids don’t do what we want them to! Maybe it is the beginning of payback for what you did to your poor, sweet parents! Karma is powerful, my friend!!!
Nothing but love!



















