Last clinic

How can the day not be good when you get to elevator and fresh flower by up/down botton . .

Today was final clinic at a Children/Teen shelter.  These children have been picked up for things like prostitution or theft, or runaways.  They do not have to stay there but they know is safe place compared to street. The facility is government run so they are provided basics, but not much else.  In talking with one of Docs the children were pretty healthy and no real problems found.  Dental is always a different issue,  but considering not too bad.  Meals are provided but we took special collection and bought them some sandwiches for later in day, something do not easily have access to.

The sad part of day was when van that "delivers" children arrived.  Not sure if any children dropped off but just seeing the paddy wagon and seeing at least one person in back was reminder of where we were working . .  . . 

As last clinic extra cleaning up, inventory and packing so bins can go to storage.
As last day Dental Team wanted a pic .   They are one bunch of hard working Dentist, no doubt about that.

Then back to hotel and own our own for dinner.  As about 95 degrees today, and drank more than few bottles of water, not that hungry so choose local spot.  BAMBOO garden - hit the spot.  Outside and you cook at you table..beef, fish, shrimp and okra and eggplant for vegetables.

Tomorrow we visit 2 places COPI supports in am then sight seeing and Final Farewell Dinner tomorow evening.

Now to sleep and enjoy alarm not going off at the 4.

Nancy

Saigon now Ho Chi Minh City

We are staying at Rex Hotel...old colonial hotel in downtown HCMC.  Lovely.

Today we worked at Trung Tam Thuan An - school for deaf and dumb.  It was a very busy day seeing 366 students!!  Luckily we had 2 more Dentist join the team which helped cope with the numbers 😊  these children are healthy and well looked after so not a lot of care needed by the team.

Also near by is high school and a number of the students have been "rescued" by COPI from human trafficking!!  COPI provides bicycle to some of these children to make it easier for them to get to school quickly and easily.

  Kids are kids everywhere and choosing just the right toy difficult. . .

Dinner was a team dinner at local Pho restaurant (Pho being VN national dish, like a burger to Americans)

But this dinner special as Dr &Dr Goldstein celebrating their 20th Anniversary..so we had a celebration, along with Pho. .

Tomorrow is last clinic and a hard one.  A teenage shelter for runaways/street children. Hopefully we can bring them some hope and joy.

Beautiful

Yesterday was a travel day, so not a lot of news.  So for a change I thought I would share some pictures of the beauty we see around us each day here in VN.

Here Garden at Hoi An Hotel

Church doors in Hanoi

This was at Marble shop where bus stopped for those who wanted to shop.  We decided they might do better with coffee shop for American tourist vs the Marble. 😁

One of pleasures of trip was at Hanoi Airport we got to meet Mai Lee  (sp?) who won a video essay contest and donated prize money to COPI.  A very impressive young lady.  Her video about Peace is on the COPI Facebook page at end of last year if want to view.

Now to Saigon. . .Ho Chi Minh City...

Rest day?!?

It is hard to think of today as a rest day when alarm went off at 4:30 AM in order to be at dock for 5:30 sunrise boat trip!
Still about half the team dragged out and loaded 2 boats to see early morning life on river.  Oh yes, was cloudy and rainy day that makes one want to sleep in. . .

Unfortunately due to clouds there was no sunrise to see and rain jackets definitely needed😢
Still able to see the fishing boats and nets in action.

Then docked and walked through local village to get to local village market where fresh fish being sold, along with anything else you might want. . . .

Then back to boat and hotel for breakfast. On way to dining room they were in process of getting some coconuts down..

Nice breakfast and then nap time 😊
After some much needed rest off to wander shops, look around and get some dinner.

Finished the evening with nice ice cream - made on spot.

Back to hotel for early evening and hopefully 8 hours sleep ☺

Tomorrow is travel day to SaiGon, Ho Chi Minh City.  It hard to believe only 2 clinics left. Where has time gone....