November 28th - My 28th Birthday...Honduran Style!!!

In this photo the mayor the mayor gave me a birthday toast...and then everyone sang La Mananita and Happy Birthday to me...

Well, I feel like I am getting old, so good thing I was here in Honduras for my 28^th birthday – where everyone gets a party, even if you’re turning 80…

Tuesday night my house was once again filled to the brim with people…this time though with all of my Honduran friends and coworkers turning out to celebrate! People started arriving at 6 pm with pots of food to serve armies. We had a real Honduran dinner with rice, refried beans, fresh cheese, tortillas, and carne asada grilled out in the backyard by the mayor and his wife. Others brought boquitos (appetizers/snacks) of soy chips, crackers with “sandwhich spread” and taquitos. Patrick and I each made a dish to share as well and another friend brought a cake, with my name spelled correctly, the American way!

The night was complete with all the Honduran touches – chairs lined up against the walls, small plastic cups of coke (because it WAS a special occasion), little girls dressed as if going to their first communion, cake smeared across my face, Bachata music, and lots of dancing! Some friends wanted to douse me with eggs and flour (a Honduran tradition I’m not sure I believe) but I was able to evade that by dancing with Patrick - Whew! I think they just really wanted to make fools of us…

So, I survived my 28^th birthday – a better and more rich person because of it…and I will make sure I am out of town next year when it comes time again…not sure if I can outrun the eggs and flour a second time…