PC Birthday's

Since last Sunday we have already had two birthday celebrations for Peru Peace Corps Volunteers. The first celebration was this Monday for Travis. For his birthday, Olivia, a PC volunteer, called a Mariachi band and had everybody clapping and singing to Mexican Mariachi canciones. The best part of the celebration was the surprised look on all of our faces as we heard a Mexican Mariachi band interrupt our training session. We all couldn’t believe it…While Travis’ birthday was great I knew that I had to think of something interesting and comical for my best friend Patrick. My ideas were calling in a stripper (immediately crushed after realizing our training director was a former nun) or a clown. However, while talking with the local librarian about volunteering and possibly renting a Harry Potter book in Spanish I happened to encounter a Barney costume. Although the Barney costume looked like it had gone through both world wars I knew it was the best plan I had…Consequently I asked the librarian the day of Patrick’s birthday if I could use the costume for the day in order to spice up my friends birthday. Thankfully she obliged and I whisked off with the costume just in time to surprise Patrick at the training center. While the costume might have given me skin and respiratory diseases it was quite the reaction, not only from him but also the entire volunteer group. I have yet to see the pictures, however I am sure they will be great…Following Pat’s birthday at the training center we all grabbed a few beers at the local tavern and then headed back to our host families for dinner. After dinner I went to Patrick’s house to hang out and watch a movie. Although I thought the night was over after watching Orange County, Patrick got a surprise birthday celebration from his family, which included eating cake and watching a video of the 90’s greatest rock hits.