Happy Birthday Ecuadorian Style!

The 29th of October in this lucky year of 2008 has definitely been the conclusion to the most interesting birthday yet. The birthday celebrations actually started back on the 10th of October when the 3rd grade class at Calexico Mission School had a surprise birthday/going away party on my last day helping out there. Then two days later it was my birthday again at HomeTownBuffet with my adopted parents in Calexico. On the 14th, about an hour before I left for LAX to begin my Ecuadorian adventure, I had my 3rd birthday extravaganza with my sis and grandpa cuz we’re all October babies. When I first got to Ecuador I had to stay in Quito with a super cool family before I worked out a bunch of confusion to finally go to CADE, my original destination. The sweet family in Quito also surprised me with a chocolate birthday cake—never tasted chocolate quite like it! And my goodness was it a surprise! By the time my birthday rolled around here at this schoool, CADE, in Ecuador, I had only been at the school for a week. I was still living like in a dream. I barely knew anyone here but somehow everyone seemed to know it was my birthday. First you should know that a few birthday traditions here include smashing your face into your cake and birthday whippings—not spankings. Hard core like with a belt! And you should also know that I am helping out one of the other student missionaries teach English to grades 1-7. However, the day before I had been in Quito all day long doing immigration paperwork. Apparently the other student missionary had the kids make birthday cards for me all during class the day I was gone. So when I got to class on my birthday I had a bazillion birthday cards from these crazy kids and a super cool one from my new roomie-the only other gringa here I know! Needless to say I got sang many a birthday song—some more embarrassing than others :) So I guess I’m gullible. Either that or the other sm’s here are super sneaky. So I was trying to get out of them all day what we were going do for my birthday and couldn’t get any exciting ideas out of them. Seriously? C’mon. It’s my birthday! We went to this small groups thing that night me still trying to think of what I could do after for some birthday fun. Little did I know another birthday surprise was awaiting me. Not only did I get TWO scrumptious cakes (one delectable chocolate one with grapes and kiwi), but I got a taste of a true Ecuadorian birthday. CAKE IN THE FACE! It’s quite the experience for those who don’t know…which is probably like all of you because it was certainly a first for me! Somehow I was lucky enough to escape the birthday whippings—I think I may have looked too horrified when they mentioned it :) Lots of food. Yumminess and surprises to the max! I definitely felt the love. 5 birthdays in one. Who could be luckier? It’s definitely been a birthday to remember. The one and only south of the equator….so far at least :) I wish you all happy birthdays like mine! And feel free to let me know how they go…I like birthday stories :)