Homemade cards, New hotel

Wednesday: We were very happy to check out of our hotel this morning, and it was much easier to move than we expected. The manager sent a taxi to pick us up. I won't list what was wrong with the last room, but we had been there long enough that it was starting to be too much. I don't think we realized what a difference it was going to make. The new place is bright (day and night), clean, fresh, and the staff is cheerful and friendly.

The highlight of the day was sitting in our comfortable, stuffed, living room furniture and opening an envelope that the oldest girl handed us today. She had asked to borrow the crayons we have been using and we got to see what she had been doing with them. There were several homemade cards, mostly valentines, all hand cut and fully colored. We will need help to figure out what they say and even if they are all from our girls.

Thursday: Both sick today. So glad we are in the new hotel. Julie sick to stomach most of last 24 hours but ate rice and brothwith noodles tonight. I woke up at 8 with cold symptoms but slept off the worst of it until after noon then hustled off to the orphanage. They had distinguished guests, so the kids put on an elaborate patriotic ceremony with recitations, dancing, and beautiful singing.

The manager asked about Julie by name when she found out from the restaurant that she was sick and even went out and bought some medecine for her. The cheerful waitress (who had introduced herself amicably the first day) turned down a tip when she brought the food to our room. And the housekeeper is just as kind and personable.