As the date neared, we discussed how great it would be if the children could enjoy the festivities. Eager for the kids to share in the fun, we came up with a plan for both orphanages to see the show. Thirty-four children and four caregivers stayed at our house last weekend. It isn't quite as crazy as it sounds--half came Saturday night and the other half last night--but it was a houseful nonetheless!Saturday afternoon, 20 children and 2 caregivers from Dai Loc squeezed into a van bound for Da Nang. They arrived at our house around 4:00...which is pretty nigh supper time for this crew! The caregivers helped me prepare some noodles while the group explored the house. When I went to hunt everyone down, some were looking at pictures, some playing cards, some napping, some listening to music on the 
computer, and some jumping on the bed (for kids used to bamboo mats on wood slats, a bouncy mattress is a lot of fun!). Needless to say, they made themselves right at home!
computer, and some jumping on the bed (for kids used to bamboo mats on wood slats, a bouncy mattress is a lot of fun!). Needless to say, they made themselves right at home! After supper we watched a movie and snacked. As time passed everyone became more and more impatient. "Boom!" one of the boys said to me, gesturing explosions. Two girls came up and repeated, "Han River, Han River!". The plan was to leave at 7:00, but by 6:30 the group was too excited to sit still any longer. Everyone loaded back into the van and headed for Tony and Cindy's house, where we met up with volunteers and the Brewer crew and headed out on foot.
The first night's fireworks were spectacular. Our group was too far away to hear the music or see the ground show, but the dazzling lights above drew gasps and cheers from the children. At the end of the night, a tired but very happy troop filed back into our house.
Now the sleeping situation...as you might imagine, we were in tight quarters. Most of us slept on bamboo mats on the floor (which would not be unusual for Vietnamese children, but is not comfortable for American adults; after two nights of that, I'm a bit sore). After their late night I had expected the children to sleep in, but the earliest-risers were up and moving at 5:30 Sunday
morning. Ugh.
Breakfast was across the street with "The Noodle Lady". We watched another movie then took a walk to the beach. It was too cool for swimming, but the kids had a blast catching crabs, drawing in the sand, and getting their feet wet. They posed for several pictures, and I promised to print them out and bring them with me during our next visit.
After lunch, a nap, and some hair styling, we said goodbye to the first group and prepared for the second.
The schedule was the same for the second group, but the weather was not. Steady rains meant we needed ponchos, and it seemed to dampen spirits as we made our walk to the river. But things weren't too gloomy--the rain had deterred the crowd, and many of the bleachers were left empty. After a little convincing from one of our volunteers, we were allowed to bring the children right down in front to see the show! To hear the music and get the full effect...well, we were mesmerized.
Everyone went home at 6:00 this morning, and Enoch and I promptly reclaimed our bed and slept most of the day away. :-) What a weekend!
The first night's fireworks were spectacular. Our group was too far away to hear the music or see the ground show, but the dazzling lights above drew gasps and cheers from the children. At the end of the night, a tired but very happy troop filed back into our house.Now the sleeping situation...as you might imagine, we were in tight quarters. Most of us slept on bamboo mats on the floor (which would not be unusual for Vietnamese children, but is not comfortable for American adults; after two nights of that, I'm a bit sore). After their late night I had expected the children to sleep in, but the earliest-risers were up and moving at 5:30 Sunday
morning. Ugh.Breakfast was across the street with "The Noodle Lady". We watched another movie then took a walk to the beach. It was too cool for swimming, but the kids had a blast catching crabs, drawing in the sand, and getting their feet wet. They posed for several pictures, and I promised to print them out and bring them with me during our next visit.
After lunch, a nap, and some hair styling, we said goodbye to the first group and prepared for the second.
The schedule was the same for the second group, but the weather was not. Steady rains meant we needed ponchos, and it seemed to dampen spirits as we made our walk to the river. But things weren't too gloomy--the rain had deterred the crowd, and many of the bleachers were left empty. After a little convincing from one of our volunteers, we were allowed to bring the children right down in front to see the show! To hear the music and get the full effect...well, we were mesmerized.
Everyone went home at 6:00 this morning, and Enoch and I promptly reclaimed our bed and slept most of the day away. :-) What a weekend!
