A Tearful Team Goodbye & A long Walk to drop off luggage

Amazing as it seems, we did our last classes today, a bit more shopping, and then a beautiful final team meeting and dinner at the hotel.  We realized how much we had accomplished, and how we had come together as a team to achieve our goals.  We presented our team leader with a framed photo of the team(now that's something of a story, how I figured out how to get the photo printed!).  She was very touched.  The toasts were to:  the kids, the teachers, the 1000th Year Celebration, each other, the hotel staff, and Vietnamese coffee.  We all agreed to safe travels and trying to keep in touch with each other.

After packing up, Phil & I decided it would be great to leave 2 bags at the hotel we will stay in on our last night in Hanoi before we leave for the States.  It seemed a simple notion to take a taxi to the Sunway Hotel, drop the bags, and walk back "home" to the Hoa Binh Palace. well, as they say......the best laid plans.....we couldn't get a cab from the hotel because of all the people.  We walked two blocks, grabbed a cab, showed him the address, and were on our way.  Tons of traffic.  After a few minutes, he pulled over where the road was "arrested"(ie blocked off) and pointed into a huge crowed.  Needless to say, it turned out we were quite a ways from our destination.  With Phil's amazing map skills, and the help of the staff at a different hotel, we eventually found our way on foot to the Sunway.  Arriving looking like tired hobos, the staff of this very upscale hotel  looked at us askance until they found our reservation for next week in the computer!  After that they were kind and courteous, took our bags, gave us a receipt, and we were on our way back towards the Old Quarter.  there were throngs of people heading back from the celebrations, quite amazing to see.  Just as we reached our "neighborhood", we caught sight of our team members Keith & Tim, and shared a last beer with them.

Now we are exhausted, ready for our early morning departure to Saigon and the next set of adventures.

Feet are very tired again,
Barbara