Sandy started the day early with a scooter tour of the city and suburbs with Luan. He took tons of photographs with his new camera. I haven't had a chance to sort through those photos yet. He enjoyed coffee with Luan at his favorite Vietnam coffee shop, Highlands Coffee.
After walking to meet us for another delicious, late breakfast at SOZO, we decided to head to Cholon (the chinatown of Saigon). We went to Cho Binh Tay, the main market in Cholon. It seemed like the prices were much better here than at Ben Thanh market (after bargaining of course). Ivy had a pair of wooden sandals made on the spot for $70,000 VND ($3.50 USD). Olivia found a stuffed toy heart pillow for her new bear, Pinkie.
The real treasure of the day was an ao dai (traditional vietnamese dress) made-to-order for Ivy. We had ao dais made in Hoi An for the girls, but they were surprisingly expensive since our adoption trips. In 2001, I had two ao dais made for myself for a total price of $40 USD. This trip they had wanted $280 USD in Hoi An to make an ao dai for me. I didn't have one made, but we had two ao dais made for the girls at a shop recommended in our guide book (Thu Thuy) for a total price of $75 USD. They were silk, but otherwise very plain and sleeveless and Ivy's didn't fit correctly for two daily fittings in a row (not to mention the stain that appeared for the first fitting). At the Binh Tay market in Cholon, Ivy had an ao dai made with ao dai fabric (meaning a special bead and sequin designed material just for ao dais) for $23.50 USD. There was no time for a fitting as it was ready just in time the next day for us to depart HCMC, but no fitting was necessary as it fits her perfectly! I'll post photos the next time I get her to try it on again. I was tempted to have one made for myself, but chickened out after my previous disappointment in Hoi An (lots of effort to choose fabric, design, and measurements for a non-shopper like me). Now, I regret it!
We returned to the hotel after shopping so the girls could meet Thao for their scooter/ice cream date. Thao was the lady that translated for us during orphanage visits and arranged for our visits to Olivia's orphanage, hospital, and also to a second orphanage in Binh Thuan province (Olivia's primary caregiver is now working as a caregiver at a different orphanage). She had invited them to go out for ice cream with her. They had been looking forward to this our whole trip. They had even insisted on shopping for special masks to where on their faces for the scooter ride. It was nice that we had spent enough time with Thao that they feel connected with her! It was, however, difficult to send them off on a scooter ride without us. We witnessed a scooter crash outside a restaurant in Hoi An and saw two tourists with scooter injuries during our travels. Thao had child-size helmets she borrowed from her nieces and/or nephews and everything went smoothly!
Later that night, we went for dinner at Mandarin restaurant on Ngo Van Nam street. We had eaten dinner at this restaurant on all of our previous trips to Vietnam. It has changed a little (expanded into the building next door), but still reminded us of earlier days when we were 'young', new parents. It's fascinating how places can do this. I felt so emotional by the time we left the restaurant, especially knowing that we were leaving Vietnam soon (late tomorrow night). The atmosphere is beautiful and elegant, the food is delicious and artistically presented, the wait staff is friendly and attentive, and the traditional vietnamese music is so calming. The girls enjoyed the fancy ice cream desserts (yes, more ice cream) and I enjoyed the tasty creme brulee.
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