Smooth sailing...

We went to the Embassy today and had our interview and this afternoon Baby Brian has a visa. (Mama - not the credit card kind - ha). We can go home now! Four business days has got to be record of in-country stays! I bet Angelina even took longer. :) It was a piece of cake. I think with the Tet New Year celebration coming up, they have been trying to get things processed quicker. It sure worked! We are done with the in-country adoption process!

During the afternoon free time, we visited the "Hanoi Hilton" prison. I am just fascinated with it. It was built in 1856 by the French to terrorize the Vietnamese 'patriots' who rebelled against French rule. There was much torture and beheading here. They still have the guillotine out for display. For 120 years, this place served as a torture chamber and I cannot imagine the blood spilled on this ground. Even more creepy is that a lot of the prison is now gone because my hotel is standing on that real estate. So literally, in the spot where I am sitting right now were the cries of hundreds of souls in pain. How sad, and almost scary, in a Halloween kinda way.

Solitary confinement cell - leg shackles were not removed the entire time the prisoners were here

Bedracks - Nightly sleeping and all prisoners were shackled at the ankles every night

In 1954 the prison became a place where dissidents were kept, including the US pilots who were shot down in Hanoi. Below is a picture of John McCain being treated by a VN doctor for his injuries resulting from his plane crash. They also have McCain's flight suit on display here.

Through the years, this city block has been the mecca of pain. No longer!

There is joy in this air space now. Forevermore will there be joy here - I proclaim it! :) A little guy whose life was going to be only that in an impoverished institution has been united with his new mama, and we will go back to our good ole' USA. A woman whose soul was drawn to love and caring for another baby has been granted that privilege. When the plane touches down in LA, (literally touching American soil) Brian will become a US citizen. So he will be a Vietnamese American Texan Montgomery! I just love the fact that he will one day have the opportunity to carry on the Montgomery name too. Awesome.

I will try to be a good Mama, and love, love, love my children above all else.

We leave Viet Nam early in the morning to traverse the crooked airtrail home. I hope to one day bring Brian and Jordan back here to visit and learn more about the land of their birth.

We have confirmed seats from Hanoi to Bangkok then LAX, but no seats yet for the LAX to DFW portion. I have reservations on two airlines just in case. There is a red-eye flight, or a flight on Sunday that I am stand-by for, or a flight on Monday. The hardest part about the flying on this trip was getting out of the USA and getting back through it.

I know my way around these airports and VIP lounges now though. I have a stroller so Brian will be escorted in comfort to his new digs and land o' plenty. I am so grateful to God.

I can't wait to get home and see my Jordan, my Dede, my Annie dog and my friends who have sending me angels for this whole trip and process. Love you all~ and I'll keep blogging.

Ann