My birthday, Indian style!

 

I spent my 32nd birthday in India. it is extra special because I spent it with my brand-new team ,Nahala,on the world race. I woke up and had breakfast. Breakfast in India is very spicy, but this day we were served toast and eggs and banana.There wasn’t any spice in them! You can imagine this was very exciting to me. I got to have a breakfast that was yummy with no spices. 

 

Phase #1

My team started the day with some pampering. So I got a head massage foot massage and a back massage. Molls y did my hair in a braid headband. Then Colleen did my nails. She painted them a pretty blue that would match my punjabi.  Then Stephanie did my make up. Of course the day cannot be complete without it being documented so Leslie did my videotaping and photography. Which is really great because usually I’m the one behind the camera and never get any pictures of me. It was nice just to be able to relax and be pampered. 

 

Phase #2

Phase 2 of my wonderful birthday extravaganza included us going to the ice cream shop. We went downstairs to wait to go to the auto and I found my next Punjabi was there. This is my pink one so I was super excited and put it on right away. It fit perfectly so that’s what I ended up wearing to the ice cream shop. We called for some autos and had a really nice ride to the ice cream shop. But when we got there we found it wasn’t quite open yet. Deborah asked owner if we can wait inside. When the ice cream shop did open we began to look at all the asking favors. It was one of those ice cream shops where you pay by the weight. It was 70 rupees per hundred kilograms of ice cream. I thought  I Could only get one flavor but then I saw everybody else was choosing more than one. And so I decided to choose two flavors that I  really wanted to try. I settled on strawberry and cookies and cream. The cookies and cream isn’t quite like it is at home. I didn’t really care for that one, but the strawberry was really good and was definitely worth it. Yes I have the options of getting toppings but none of the toppings I saw looked like they went well so opted not to get it. The team is really great and didn’t let me pay for my own ice cream. We took lots of photos and videos and of course Deborah and Kathy came too. Kathy said it was too early in the morning for ice cream so she didn’t get any. Deborah got some ice cream,strawberry like me. 

 

Phase #3

When we got back we rested a bit before lunch. Lunch was really great. Deborah had gotten me a birthday hat. It was a purple hat with orange fringe. Of course I liked it. When I was all most finished with my lunch, everyone began to stare at me.I was wondering what was going on. Then they brought me a cake with candles that sing the birthday song. It was a beautiful cake.I made a wish and blew out the candles. What I wished for I’m not telling you. Then I asked if I could smear my name for another wish. No one had heard of this tradition before. Must be something only we do at home. Then they had me try the flavor. I took a bite and couldn’t figure it out. Then all of a sudden it hit me. Butterscotch!! Yes it was very good. Then I had to tell them the fun fact about me…I don’t like frosting. But the butterscotch candies were good. After cake we had to go ministry. On the way, Amy called to sing me happy birthday. Amy was my old team leader and our new squad leader. Kathy had all of the people in the village say happy birthday to me. It was beautiful. 

 

Phase #4 

When we got back we played some Bananagrams. Erika chose this game because she knew how much I liked it. For feedback they gave positive feedback only to me and then the team prayed for me. What a wonderful end to a wonderful day. This is one birthday I will never forget.