Grand Opening Day of DSCC 2 in PMH

We woke up at the crack of dawn.  On Tuesday March 5th, a monk had told us that this was our special day to have the opening and that the lucky time to begin was 6am.  We did a prayer before the doors of our new clinic.  On the table was a whole chicken with the head still attached and folded in such a manner that would bring us good fortune.  Also on the table were 5 fruits, each representing a word in a expression which basically means we are praying to wish for just enough earnings to do well.  A pot filled with old a new incense filled the cool air.  The ritual continued as we lit each incense with special red candles.  We used the same red candles to burn paper money, paper gold and other special Vietnamese paper to send to the Gods of Fortune.  We were honoring them by fulfilling this tradition.

At 8am, the staff from the first clinic arrived and the new staff came to help set up and prepare for the grand opening.  We couldn't have hoped for a more successful turnout.  By 9am, the lobby was filled with people we have met and also of people we have never met.  A week before, Paul walked around our community under the hot hot sun and distributed invitations.  And what do you know, they worked.  Invitations are serious here, I mean the culture is still formal, hence if you receive an invitation, it's almost like an obligation.

In Vietnam, you receive bouquets of flowers from friends and family.  We received our first around 9:30am and then they just kept pouring in and so did visitors and new patients.  It felt so nice to know that so many people appreciate what chiropractic is and they were rooting for us.  I was so happy for Paul.  Today was the first day of his first international office!  I can't tell you how hard he has been working towards this day, so I'm happy that the grand opening kicked off a good start.