Birthday Ecua style

Tonight my birthday festivities come to an end after a 4 day extravaganza! Allow me to fill you in on my Ecuadorian birthday.

The celebrations began Thursday morning at 1:00am when Laura and Julia sang Happy Birthday to me while holding a candle. It was off key, but beautiful. Later that morning as I was getting ready to leave for work, I heard loud smacking noises coming from outside. When I left the house I discovered it was Maximo and Wellington, two of our guards, smacking their leather belts against the cement post. They were practicing their swings for the lastigatos they were about to give me. It's tradition in Ecuador to whip the birthday person for how many years they are turning. It's actually quite an awkward event, especially when it's two big men coming at your ass with thick leather belts. But before they each gave me one whip, they presented me with my birthday gift: chocolate bread and juice. They went gentle on me and made sure to hit hard enough for me to feel it without leaving any marks! (mom probably thinks this sounds so strange, and i'm sure one of my brothers is making fun of it as they read!)

I then went to work where I was met with Happy Birthday wishes from all sorts of faculty, staff and workers. People who didn't even know me were giving me hugs and kisses. And every time I walked past the snack bar Tia Jackie would yell "Que viva la santa!" which is also another birthday tradition here. My students were very well behaved and we had a great class. I left Mundo with another gift: diet coke and two small cakes.

Later Thursday night was the best part though, my community mates threw me a surprise party! Dan, Theresa, Karla and Jaime came over from Arbolito after work and helped cook dinner and bake a cake. I was taken on a wild goose chase to get ice cream with my Ecuadorian friend Denisse as the distraction to get me out of the house. When we arrived home, I knew something was up, and as I approached the hosue I heard them quiet down and then turn off the lights. Yeah, we aren't that great with surprises, but it's the thought that counts! It was great to see everyone though, Chris and Jake came up too! We ate dinner, chatted, then Dan shoved cake in my face and we all sat around talking and laughing. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday.

Friday Cira and her family invited me over for dinner and cake. I have blogged about Cira before and feel like she is just such an important person to me here in Ecuador. I have grown very close to her and her entire family which includes mom, sister, brother in law, kids and various cousins and neighbors. It felt like I was at home with my family as we ate and told funny stories. As usual Yudy, Cira's brother in law, berrated me with questions about "in your country is it true..." We ate delicious food, an even more delicious cake and then enjoyed each other's company.

And then came Saturday, the day we had been waiting for. On Saturday night our neighbors Jesus and Walter threw a joint birthday party for me and their grandson Matias, who turned 4 on the 11th as well. Earlier in the day I journeyed out to the Outlet Mall with Denisse to buy a cake and other party necessities. It was nice to spend the day with her, walking around the mall, chatting about our lives. She also has an affinity for Hello Kitty and Strawberry Shortcake so obviously we were ment to be friends. We spent most of our time trying to find party decorations of either cartoon character...we were unsuccessful. But anyways, Saturday night we all put on our dancing shoes and headed across the street to Watler and Jesus'. We ate dinner, had cake, took a million pictures and then danced danced danced. Then we stopped dancing to do the 23 whippings. Everyone took a turn giving me 3-4 whips, which let me tell you was pretty embarassing. Jesus insisted that she give the final 3, and let me tell you I'm still sore! She did not mess around with that whip. After the whipping the dancing continued until about 12am. Just like at Cira's I felt right at home and like I was where I was supposed to be. At one point during the photoshoot, Jesus called out "Walter come take a picture with your daughter" and it ment so much for me to hear that, because that is exactly how I feel...apart of the family. I never thought I would get to that point, but I have and it's amazing.

Steve, Laura, Chris, Jake and I then came home and stayed up until 3am watching the final episodes of Glee (Best birthday present ever!). And then today, Sunday I woke up late, went to the boardwalk with Laura, Steve and Alicia's family, and now I await for my group of retreatants to arrive. It has been a very busy but lovely couple of days full of so much love and laughter. I even got to talk to some of my family on Saturday afternoon which was truly the icing on the cake, to be able to have my two lives be entertwined if even just a little.

So yet another mile marker has come and past way too fast. We are entering the 3rd week of February and the time is flying by like the planes above our house. I'm excited to have a change of pace with my retreat group and to have a slice of that immersion trip vitality. As I now start my 23rd year on earth I begin it with energy, happiness and a desire to love love love! (oh, Happy Valentine's Day!)

Quick note: Carnival has begun. Today on the bus Steve and I were soaked as a kid threw a bucket of water at us. Tomorrow begins the war that is carnival. More to come soon!!