Ah, yes, my birthday! It was pleasant to walk outside in the sunshine on my typically cold-weathered birthday. Even though I had class from 8am-6:30pm on Monday, there was still plenty of time for surprises! The timing couldn’t have been more perfect for the letters that I received from Cassidy and Amy. Just as I walked into class at 8am (exactly midnight on the East Coast!), Roland handed me these two items and I must confess that I choked back a few tears (but who cares, it’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to…). The entire group burst out into song and I soaked up every last note. I read the letters several times each and propped them up on my desk to admire.
Even class itself was enjoyable as we discussed the various organs and functions of the United Nations and UN peacekeeping missions in Africa. So far, so good and it was only 8am!
Roland’s class ended and out of the corner of my eye I saw Paul setting up delicious-looking treats. I went to investigate the enticing situation and I saw ‘Kelsey’s Bday’ spelled out on homemade banana cupcakes! Despite my dislike for banana flavored foods that aren’t actually bananas, the cupcakes were delicious! I ate the K, the B, and apostrophe, and then reluctantly (but still happily) shared the rest with my friends.
I even had a surprise waiting for me on the daladala ride to music class… a whole seat to myself! Sure, our daladala did breakdown halfway to class (even after a 30-second stop at a gas station where they filled the gas tank while the vehicle was still on and moving…) but that’s just another birthday adventure!
After we finally made it to Makumira for music, Mr. Stubbs had caught wind that it was my birthday. Mr. Stubbs always has interesting views on American and East African culture because he has lived in both places for extended periods of time. He told us that birthdays in Tanzania are not a big deal… there isn’t even a phrase for ‘Happy Birthday’ in Kiswahili (instead they say “Hongera!” meaning, “congratulations”). Furthermore, most food is cooked over a stove, so a baked cake is considered a delicacy and is typically only eaten as weddings or confirmations. This little tidbit of information came in handy later that night.
The clock struck 7:00 and I headed with the group to Pepe’s Italian and Indian restaurant for my birthday dinner. The food was good, but the entertainment was unforgettable. Since the ratio of muzungus to Africans was about 3:1, I sensed that this place was definitely featured in tourism brochures. That was the first sign that something odd would happen. The second sign was when we saw three men sneaking about in the background dressed in various animal prints. And then the production began. The men tumbled, juggled, limbo-ed, and mimed for an awkwardly long time for an awkwardly silent crowd. Nonetheless, the awkwardness was what made the show memorable… well, that, and they forced Ben to limbo under a flaming pole.
I had eavesdropped (or dropped some eaves, as Samwise Gamgee would say) and had heard rumors that a cake was waiting for me back at the apartments. So we finished our dinner and walked back. I kept myself occupied for a few minutes while they were “cleaning the room” aka lighting the candles (I’m smarter than you think, my friends). Once the “room was clean” I walked in and the group burst out into song again and handed me a huge cake that said “Happy Birthday Butter Baby”… (the butter is heavenly here and my cholesterol has probably skyrocketed as a result). I was so delighted that I almost forgot to make a wish when I blew out the candles. There was still cake left after all of our stomachs were full, so, remembering what Mr. Stubbs had told us about the value of a good cake, Elise had the wonderful idea to offer some to the staff of our accommodation. I suppose one could say that I had my cake and shared it too.
To be honest, I had low expectations for my birthday. I anticipated a few well wishes here and there, not anything more. But the love that I received from here and from home was far more valuable than any physical gift. In the last few hours of my birthday, I even had the chance to Skype with Mom and Kimberly, which put the sprinkles on my already iced cake.
The delicious banana cupcakes, made from scratch!
2 comments:
I love that I'm the sprinkles!
Happy birthday!
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