,
I got lucky enough to be able to spend a few days away with friends for my birthday and there was no better place to go other than San Ignacio, the first place I called home in Belize. The real reason we went there was because our dear friend Travis just so happens to share the same birthday as myself. He is old as dirt (28) but we were still born on the 28th of November.
I got super excited to find out that there was a frisbee golf course just west of San Ignacio. Had I known about this place during training, I would have been there all the time. The course record was listed at a 26 for 9 holes. On my second round, I shot a 28. Im not that good. It just shows you how many people have played this course that have ever really played the game before. It was great through, nothing like throwing a disc into a jungle or over a Mayan ruin. I even found a disc that was from the Wright Life in Fort Collins. It was like a piece of home.
My birthday present from Travis was a 3 night stay in his luxurious Tia Maria Hotel. Its pretty nice. It comes equipped with really fuzzy cable, A/C, 2 comfy beds, and a hot shower (which I didnt use, of course). Other rooms even have a bathtub, which is a rare find in this country. It is the highest of the high in terms of class. I wouldn't call it the Taj Mahal but its better than the Hi-ett that is down the street.
We had a great time. We met a guy named "Tank." He was a real winner. He was about 250 lbs in the chest alone with another 200 in his neck and head. He was from the UK and was here for oil. His company comes down here and drills for Belize's oil. They are nice though, they only keep 70% for themselves and are generous enough to give 30% back to Belizeans. What a guy! He bought me a Lighthouse Lager for my birthday. I should have been excited and made friends, but instead I remembered how much I despised that beer and my dislike for this gentlemen grew even larger. Who would have thought such bad thoughts could come from giving someone the wrong beer when there are only 3 options?
The day after my birthday I pulled myself together to get on the long bus ride home to Yo Creek. It took about 6 hours in all and I walked into my house ready to pass out immediately after rehydrating.
My family had other plans. I walked into the house and the entire family was waiting for me and began singing Happy Birthday. Like I said in a previous post, that song doesn't last the typical 20 seconds like it does back home. It might take up to 5 minutes depending on how many times they repeat the same verses. They gave me a nice lemon cake with vanilla frosting that I cut up and served to everyone there. Then they gave me a present that consisted of plates and bowls that I will be able to use in my own home. They are truly some amazing people who have already done more for me than I ever would have expected.
These pictures are of me and the 5 grand kids. From left to right they are Zeilani, Abelito, Jaden, Coralis, and Kayshaleen. The next is of me taking the first bite of the cake. They wanted me to bite into the cake before it was cut but I have seen this tradition played out before and I was not about to have my face smashed into the cake. The last picture is of my host mom Anita and I with Coralis stealing icing with her finger. I may have been dead exhausted, but they wouldn't let me go to sleep and I thank them for it. I even found the energy to go to the circus after this. Yes, there was a circus in town. It's the Russian circus traveling through Central America labeled as "el mejor circo de russia." Somehow I don't believe they are all Russian and are more likely from Mexico.
0 Response to "Birthday Celebrations"
Post a Comment