Written by Carter
What an emotional last full day in Hanoi. We began the day by spending the morning at the SOS Village in West Hanoi. The SOS Village provides abandoned children with fully-functioning homes, each headed by one parent - a mother. There are 16 homes in the compound and each houses approximately 8 children raised solely by the mother. We were able to meet with the director for a very clear explanation of how the village functions, a tour of the compound and a lovely visit with a kindergarten class full of kids happy to share their crayons and paper with us. We made a cash donation as well as a very large suitcase full of clothing, toys and art supplies.
Our next stop was to the Museum of Military Engineering Command where we heard about the efforts of the government to rid Vietnam of the millions of unexploded bombs and landmines that still permeate the landscape. It was a humbling visit. The legacy of the USA/Vietnam war continues as 100,000 people are killed or maimed each year by unexploded ordinance (UXO's). After the presentation, we took a guided tour of the museum where images from the 70's and recovered bombs displayed tastefully have an undeniably powerful effect. At age 54, my emotions were just behind my eyes as the images and the realities of the war brought back memories from my late teens. The Vietnamese are amazing people and to stand beside them in that museum with the atrocities of the war all around us and feel no hate, only hope and good will, is a moment I will never forget.
We left for lunch a humbled crew of 11, our bus very quiet as we all pondered what we'd just seen and heard. Tonight we will gather with our host families and all of the people who supported us over the past two weeks. We leave tomorrow for home; we are anxious to see our loved ones yet we find ourselves torn between two worlds. One where everything is new and exciting, the other full of comfort and predictability. At this point in our trip, we have become familiar with this country and it will be difficult to leave. But the plane leaves tomorrow and we will be on it.
Farewell to Vietnam!
Ho Chi Minh would approve!
Former Ambassador to the US and Vice President of VUS, Mr. Ngyuen Tun Chin and host mother singing the last song of the night
Mandy and Corin rocking the keys
Our tour guide Anh (right) for the first leg of the trip
Chuck Searcy, Vietnam veteran living in Vietnam and Carter. We donated $300 towards a water buffalo that would help suuport a farming familiy in need.
Paige tearing up the dance floor
My Nghi, our fearless leader, welcoming everyone to the farewell dinner
Interior of Museum of Military Engineering and Command
Bill and Hilary Clinton helping to normalize relations with Vietnam in 2000
Claymore mines
Our tour guide in the museum
View into the cluster bomb delivery systems
Unexploded ordinance gathered throughout the country (UXO's)
Image from the past displayed in the Museum of Engineering and Military Command
Carter receives gift from Colonel
One of sixteen SOS homes
Lost in thought
Clement steals the crayons
Mandy breaks the ice
Corin with his new friends
Kira helps color
Carly at play
Picture drawn by a child at the SOS Village
Clay tiles on prison roof
View through the prison door
Sculptures of Vietnamese imprisonment by the French at the Hoa Lo Prison. Later it would be nicknamed "Hanoi Hilton" by American POWs, the most famous of which was John McCain.
Altar at Temple of Literature
Roof of Mausoleum
Group Photo in front of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Our host family who fed us like we've never been fed before...
Cute pups everywhere in Mai Chau
Cultural Center: "before" picture
Mostly done! This is our "after" picture.
Lots of villagers attended Friday's cultural performance
Ethnic group dancers
We were the guests of honor. Of course, the obligatory cup of green tea before the performance!
Bamboo stick dance
Tambiet (good-bye), Mai Chau
On way to power plant - brick-making "oven"
View of Hydroelectric Plant area from Ho Chi Minh statue; this plant produces 14% of Vietnam's total electricity
My friend, Ho Chi Minh (2nd largest statue in Vietnam)
At Ho Chi Minh statue
House on stilts like ours in Mai Chau (Jackfruit tree in foreground)
Clement deep in "journal" thought
Backyard view of our host home
Grand-daughter of our host family
Simple beauty
Orphanage sheets
Tall One on ladder
Love that paint job
Paint line
Carly = Spot Remover
Concentration
Making little friends
Mr. Dom, Long and Vinh
We need to brush up on our Vietnamese....
Patterns
Taking a break
Do you have your license, young man?
Three lucky babies
Watch out!!
Paige - sweaty but stylish
Melissa and Carly painting at the orphanage
Tough guy
Vietnamese ethnic house replica
Ethnic minority house
Pho (national soup!) comes in 3 popular kinds: Ca (fish), Bo (beef) and Ga (chicken). Yum yum...
Keep out dust, dirt, debris from road (this is bridge toll collector)
Houses are built UP since owners pay for square footage of first floor.
Can't get enough sushi
Oohhh, now tuna sushi is my favorite, favorite food!!!!
The wall of our private room in the restaurant
Funeral march (on the way to Ninh Binh)
Glamour girls
Sea of sampans
Paige and Allie with their driver
Natural beauty
Watch your head!
Carly and Melissa upstream
Limestone rock formations at Ninh Binh
Rice plants removed, ready to spread and dry
Spreading rice plants out to dry
Rice chaff drying in driveway
Silly Hoa with Silly Carter's glasses
Clement and Corin's brothers rolling paint
Teresa (adult leader) doing her part
Melissa carefully (?) at work!
Pho Bo (Beef Noodle soup) in the street
Examining donations at St. Paul's Hospital
Artists Mandy and Clement at work
Jaye's new soccer player friend
Weeding intensely
Motorbikes reign
Embroidery class
Clean-up Guy, Corin.
Side by side
The class leader
Jaye and Melissa helping out
Camera crews follow us everywhere
Mr. Nguyen is Executive Vice Chairman of the Vietnam - USA Society
At Ryan's family restaurant - could we fit any more food on this table or in our bellies?!
Ashlee (Ryan's cousin) and Mr. Huang
At Military Museum: Ho Chi Minh in background
War Trophies
Collected "art" from past wars in Vietnamese soil
Mr. Chuck Searcy spoke about how these cluster bombs still maim and kill civilians
Meet the Parents!! Go Corin! Go Clement!
Dad and Grandpa
Mandy and Jaye (Mrs. Mom was at home)
Allie and Melissa accepting roses
The Triplets: Kira, Paige and Carly have a brother!
The Home Stay Club - no kidding - this is their title!
Mandy and Mr. Nghi
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