My Birthday Celebration (Luisa)

For my birthday yesterday we took a taxi to Puerto Chino with one of the staff members from Projects Abroad, Jonathan, to have a family surf lesson. On the way to Puerto Chino we stopped at La Galapaguera because Daddy hadn't been there yet and wanted to see the giant tortoises. Then we went to Puerto Chino. When we got there Jonathan gave us a short safety lesson, then we stretched and got ready to get in the water. Mama stayed out of the water and watched while the rest of us got in the water with our surf boards and started trying and failing over and over. Jonathan helped me get the waves and it was fun when I got a good wave, but I never stood up although I did make it onto my knees. We kept trying for a while and Jonathan went and got his body board to join us after we knew more of what we were trying to do. We tried to surf for about an hour but then got tired and hungry and took a lunch break.

Jonathan did the barbecuing because none of us knew what we were doing. He barbecued chicken, potatoes, and carrot slices. It all tasted great. We also had cucumber slices, pop, and chocolate cookies for dessert. While we were preparing lunch we heard people singing happy birthday and coming closer to us. I didn't know who it was but then saw that it was three other volunteers Isa (from Holland), Leo (from Germany), and Manos (Norway) that were surfing and had found out that it was my birthday. They stayed and talked for a little while before going back in the water to surf again and Isa gave me a bracelet that she had made the day before when she found out it was my birthday.

When we finished eating we packed up and went back into the water to surf some more. We kept practicing and Magdalena was able to get up on her feet a few times when she got a good wave but then she would get to excited and fall over. Mama came into the water and tried Jonathan's body board which she really enjoyed but then she tried the surf board and didn't really enjoy that very much. We surfed for about two hours after lunch but then it was five o'clock and our taxi came back to pick us up and we had to go home. On the way home Magdalena and I sat in the back of the pick-up with the surf boards and it was fun although it was a little cold and rainy part of the time it was still fun.

When we got home our host family had a surprise party ready with lots of decorations, food, and family. There were 13 balloons on the wall, a cake with 13 candles, and lots of chips, cookies, doughnuts, and marshmallows. For super we had very good chicken and rice with corn in it. After super we had cake and by then I was very tired and went to bed soon after super at 8:30. Later that evening another volunteer Joel from France, who is living in the house beside us and loves to bake, came over with a piece of carrot cake he had made for me for my birthday. I didn't get to see him but I ate it this morning and it was really good. It was a birthday I will never forget.