Saturday, April 12, 2008
Ha Noi
Hanoi to my mind is what one might expect to find on the other side of the world; a place about 180 degrees out of synch with the point of departure. It’s something like Saigon meets Amsterdam, meets the Land of Oz, particularly approaching the urban center from the countryside as we did in the hour drive from the airport. The rural landscape of rice fields is a vivid green that seems almost unnatural by my corn and wheat fed roots. Exiting the highway our route meandered through the outskirts which while increasing in population density along the way maintained a similar village character with small scale shops and canopy of trees along the streets. The congestion seemed to reach a critical mass by our arrival in the old quarter where we’re staying where the typical commercial/residential lot (doesn’t seem to be a differentiation in zoning regulation here as families occupy their business space) I’d guess to be about 10 feet across and perhaps 25 deep. Specialization is the name of the game in the tight spaces, so a story may carry one single product line like interior paint, packed to the ceiling. Crafts people ply their trades in these spaces as well. It’s so captivating to peer in to the interior of one space to observe the lone cobbler at his sewing machine in this quintessentially quaint, old-world setting, and then to stroll a couple spaces further to take in a team of woodworkers busily engaged in their constructions. All of this activity is fully visible as the storefronts are generally rolled fully open I guess to promote both guest traffic and air circulation. The energy and color of this setting is mesmerizing. Leslie and I spent the better part of the first hour after arrival here canvassing the immediate half block. I had to keep reminding myself to keep my mouth closed.
Steve
smiles!!!!!!!
Couple of smiles - see the teeth and a smirk! He loves to be hung upside down which freaks out the vietnamese - they always looked shocked when we stroll the boulevards with him viewing the world from a different perspective.... Is it us the crazy americans or the lack of adventure vietnamese? (shoulder shrug)
Tonight at dinner he rocked to CCR in a big way. SOOOO funny.
More later - perhaps I beat Steve to the bathroom this am....
Friday, April 11, 2008
Paristalsis?
Potty training is one of those rites of passage that’s mired largely in mystique, by my general take from those limited few conversations with parents who I’ve approached the subject. There a number of more complex concepts involved that defy the language ability of toddlers to be able to address. Of course dealing with a—foreign—language barrier complicates things further. In lieu of the verbal scaffold here we have what? Modeling I suppose is an option, but…. Pictures would require some considerable artistic talent and any way you approach the issue there’s that intangible involved, like swimming, that can’t really be grasped without experiencing the act. The trick in parent, I’m thinking, is to stage things so as to be around at that eureka moment so as to be able to lavish praise on the “success” in the achievement, thereby beginning the reinforcement project.
Anyway, in trying to sort out the right steps down this road without benefit of a very responsive internet connection we tried to give it a go the other morning by propping Kino on the toilet seat. Sitting beside him for stabilization I tried to relate as best as I could in rationale terms what I perceive as the operative physiological action, involving sort of a mental willing function interacting with more of a self-governing action in the duodenum (sp?). But I was, am still unclear as to whether that action is the same variety as involved in swallowing, peristalsis. So I was having the conversation with Leslie on that point, and she was rather adamantly countering that this was a different physiological action, though she couldn’t recall the name for it. Well it was right about at this point that we noted that something significant had occurred in the toilet bowl, actually very significant in her profession medical judgement. A good healthy movement. We were quick of course to lavish the praise at this development, feeling, I must say, rather valiant in that parenting moment.
Unfortunately we have not managed duplicate the results since, though we try periodically during the day. There’s a rhythm thing involved that isn’t being helped with our travel . All ears to anyone’s wisdom or outlook on the matter. S.
Potty training is one of those rites of passage that’s mired largely in mystique, by my general take from those limited few conversations with parents who I’ve approached the subject. There a number of more complex concepts involved that defy the language ability of toddlers to be able to address. Of course dealing with a—foreign—language barrier complicates things further. In lieu of the verbal scaffold here we have what? Modeling I suppose is an option, but…. Pictures would require some considerable artistic talent and any way you approach the issue there’s that intangible involved, like swimming, that can’t really be grasped without experiencing the act. The trick in parent, I’m thinking, is to stage things so as to be around at that eureka moment so as to be able to lavish praise on the “success” in the achievement, thereby beginning the reinforcement project.
Anyway, in trying to sort out the right steps down this road without benefit of a very responsive internet connection we tried to give it a go the other morning by propping Kino on the toilet seat. Sitting beside him for stabilization I tried to relate as best as I could in rationale terms what I perceive as the operative physiological action, involving sort of a mental willing function interacting with more of a self-governing action in the duodenum (sp?). But I was, am still unclear as to whether that action is the same variety as involved in swallowing, peristalsis. So I was having the conversation with Leslie on that point, and she was rather adamantly countering that this was a different physiological action, though she couldn’t recall the name for it. Well it was right about at this point that we noted that something significant had occurred in the toilet bowl, actually very significant in her profession medical judgement. A good healthy movement. We were quick of course to lavish the praise at this development, feeling, I must say, rather valiant in that parenting moment.
Unfortunately we have not managed duplicate the results since, though we try periodically during the day. There’s a rhythm thing involved that isn’t being helped with our travel . All ears to anyone’s wisdom or outlook on the matter. S.
Hanoi
Long day getting here, but well worth it. I realize that flying for several hours anywhere in the world will change the environment and scenery, but perhaps not always in such a dramatic fashion.
Kino was a trooper on the plane - didn't seem to care too much about the speed or noise - hmmed along with the engine sounds and ate his whole lunch! In fact since we hopped into the van to drive to the airport he's been non spot vocalizing - a lot of singing it seems - no one has been able to tell what he's saying - but boy is he saying it!
Speaking of Kino he's become "Mr Hands" when we are anywhere - those hands are searching and moving and picking and swinging - the doing it all over again. Especially restaurants. Of course in Vietnamese fare there are may components to a meal in lovely small bowls and plates - just asking for those little hands to pick up and dump or move or spill or touch.... My oh my. Quite the carnival.
We arrived - met with Henry (who by the way was the first Vietnamese with a US passport to be let back in the country in 1986) and were taken to the local office of our adoption agency -filled out the paperwork for Kinos VISA and then were taken to the Lucky Star Hotel in the heart of the old quarter in Hanoi. Top floor with amazing city views. The feel is so much different here- the energy somewhat more subdued, but still vibrant. More on that later when we are out ot hotel room after Kino's nap.
pics of Hie our driver, Ing -Henry's assistant and the others well I think you get it! So great to have Internet again - you have no idea how frustrating it has been to have 4 secs of wifi "quick send the message - no time for pics oh wait maybe enough time" and whosh access gone.
More to follow.
Room 702 Lucky Star Hotel Old City Hanoi
Leslie
desk not bathroom :)
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