My husband organised this trip for me. Following the led up to the reunion I deliberately chose not to think about the trip, as I knew I would get too stressed, worried, nervous and chicken out. I only went because of the reunion and I knew that other people would be in the same situation as me. I knew I would be alright as my husband has been to Vietnam before and he knows some of the language.  I felt confident that I could handle it and I only wanted to stay as little as possible. My adoptive folks have pushed me to go back but it was only now that I have been ready. I have been to Asian before and I was mentally prepared for what Vietnam would be like. My folks warned me that the people might be weird around me but I knew this was my best opportunity to go.

Day 1

I was extremely nervous at the Singapore airport when I boarded the plane to Vietnam.  I have never been in the presents of so many Vietnamese people. As I arrived at the Ho Chi Minh Airport I was more eager to meet my husband and I was tired from the flight than worry about anything else.  I was apprehensive but I thought I would be more of a mess and upset than I really was. I have no memory of Vietnam and I felt uncomfortable being there.

I met my husband outside of the airport in a sea of hundreds of Vietnamese people. We were supposed to meet other people there but they never showed up. After I had a fit, we sorted the mix up and met up with the other groups of people relating to the reunion. I loved the taxi and bus ride and I got to see a lot of the city, people and landscape. As a group we were whisked away to Thanh Loc outside of the city to a boys orphanage. Everyone spoke English and most of us were Australian so I felt good. We spent the afternoon there and I enjoyed the atmosphere and the landscape. Next thing I knew I was at the orphanage. I thought the orphanage would be located outside the city in a small hut in a paddock, but instead it was in the middle of Ho Chi Minh City and it was a tall 3 or 4 storey building. Had a tour and was so in awe of it. I constantly felt like a tourist learning new things. I still had no memories of the place. We were invited to stay for dinner but I was too fagged and wanted to shop. I regret now not staying for dinner. Interacting with the locals was extremely awkward, uncomfortable, confronting, confusing and hard!!! I hated the fact that I was such an odd ball! Made me feel like I was a freak. They didn’t like or understand why I looked and acted like a westerner, didn’t speak the language, had a Australian husband & he spoke Vietnamese. I spent the rest of the night shopping and looking around.

Day 2

The reunion was awesome!! The focus was getting to know other people. There were 17 adoptees and most of us were Australian. A few there for the first time like me. It was extremely emotional, but I didn’t cry. I loved hearing the stories from the parents of adoptees and the staff and people from the orphanage. Everyone had a chance to tell their story and we spent the entire time bonding and sharing experiences. Afterwards most people met up for dinner and drinks. That was fantastic!  We talked for a few hours and then my husband and I left to go exploring and shopping. I really wish I had of stayed longer!!

Day 3

We spent what was left of our time in Vietnam shopping. We only had 3 hours before we had to be at the airport. I was exhausted and eager to be away from the locals. I love the surroundings, culture, landscape and the people’s dignity and aura. The traffic was amazing!  Had to been seen to be believed. Wow!  It was organised chaos! I felt relieved when the plane took off.

Summary

Glad I went. I took heaps of photos and I would love to go back. I wish I had more time over there but I am happy with the overall experience. Apart from the reunion, I really enjoyed the taxi  & bus rides as I could get a complete feel and picture of the place without getting hassled or feeling uncomfortable.

Jen Fitzpatrick
 

Photos from the Reunion, February 2005

The Adoptees

Click here to read Jen's News Article and her Story