Hola from Party Central, Peru

Well it has been one big Birthday Bash month. First we celebrated Stacy's birthday on Feb. 19. We were painting at the school early in the morning and it just so happens that who stops by but the Ministry of Education board. They all sang Happy Birthday to her in English and Spanish everyone hugged her too. Next for lunch the principal of Micaela school took us all out for ceviche and cervesas at one of our favorite places Gemelitas. Nothing better than raw fish and beer at 11:00 in the morning I always say.

Later the girls at the house planned a surprise for her. It was my job to somehow get her back into town after we had worked all day and she was tired. But the need for more beers always works on her and I just added that I had to stop by the house to get something now that we were in town. She was really surprised and they had the house full of balloons and maracuya pies, her favorite. It was really special and she got a beautiful scarf and a bracelet with her poker name on it, "Stacks"

For the evening we had invited 8 of our closest Peruvian friends out to Henry's place for a gourmet dinner. Most of them would never eat food like that, so it was fun to watch them experience it.
We had lots of dancing and drinking and eating of cake. Stacy received 2 cakes and so we gave out enormous pieces so we would not have any left so we too would become more enormous. She put a dab of icing on everyone's nose and told them that it was a Canadian tradition. Check out the photos!

Four days later it was Benjamin's birthday. It was the first time we got sick in Peru. Perfect timing:( We were to host the party but we just couldn't. We did manage to go into town later and celebrate with him with some dancing and singing. We were happy to share in the receiving of his new underwear.

Three days later we celebrated my birthday....a little early as we would be travelling on my actual birthday. So we had our close friends out for a nice dinner and bananas flambe for dessert (this is my specialty here). It turned out to be a candle light evening as our lights were not working, but it was even more memorable and cozy. Lots of songs dedicated to me, which was really cool, and of course lots of dancing. Great times.

Also in February we started our work painting and making some improvements at the school. It has been great to see how our actions have inspired others at the school itself. They are taking actions on their own, like painting the desks and it has created a real atmosphere of excitement for the school that was really feeling a little abandoned and neglected. We have made some changes and we hope that you will follow it along as more things transpire. Check out more great photos.

Well we missed you all, especially on our birthdays....you did send the gifts right? We will keep checking everyday in the mail. :)

Take care our each other and write when you can.

love and hugs
Shelly and Stacy