First I have to say, I am so thankful for the friends that sent special bday wishes, through video messages, email, and fb posts. Technology rocks!
On my birthday, I planned to wake up extra early so that I could get ready and Skype with my parents before work! Totally by surprise, my thoughtful Bolivian roommate and another friend from my neighborhood burst into my room just as I was waking up (6am) with a homemade cake and singing and presents! I was so very blessed and blown away by their generosity! They sang, I blew out the candle, and then they smashed my face into the cake. (Required by Bolivian tradition!) We boiled some water, served up some tea, ate cake, and enjoyed the sunrise over the Andes! Then I Skyped with my amazing parents! We laughed and giggled and I told them all about my thoughtful friends! What a blessing to see their faces on my birthday!
I spent the rest of the day at work. I enjoyed extra long hugs and verbal blessings from all of my co-workers. I think this is my favorite part of birthdays in Bolivia! I'm such a "physical touch" person, so getting tons of extra long hugs all day is AMAZING! ;)
After work I met up with my roommate and we made our way to the Teleférico - the new public transit cable car! It just happened to be the day of its inauguration and its first day of normal service! I love the Teleférico, so I decided that I would love to celebrate and share my birthday with it! Haha... Once we arrived in the city, we ran into a good friend! We convinced him to ditch his plans and join us for wally (volleyball in a racquetball court). On our way to wally we stopped by a shoeshiner friend to get my boots shined up for the evening. After telling him that it was my birthday, he refused to accept payment for the shoeshine and suddenly ran off, promising us that he would be right back. He returned about 10 minutes later with a tiny vase of fresh flowers! How sweet is that??
We had an amazing and hilarious time playing wally with our friends! And then we went out and shared a soda together, laughing the whole time.
After wally, I caught a bus down to my friend and co-worker's house. A few of us had planned to meet up at her house to change and get ready before heading out for some salsa dancing! A few other friends from work joined us for dancing, including one of my bosses who shares my same birthday!
The next day I got to have lunch with a few friends at a new little Mexican restaurant, which is obviously modeled after Chipotle! It was super yummy and a great time with friends! And then in the evening a few friends came over to make pizza and play games!
I was completely exhausted by the end of the two days, but my heart is bursting! Praying that this last year of my 20's is the best year yet! Thanks to all of you that made by birthday super special! :)
