My Birthday Celebration(s)

So, I am well aware that my birthday was 21 days ago, but I was looking to get some more photos, which I have failed at.  So here it is.

We started out the days of celebration, the day before my birthday, with a lovely dinner at Maido, my favorite Japanese restaurant with some fantastic friends.

Eimear, Julian, Chris, Tiffany, Amanda, Andrew, Jules, Chris, me, Sandy.  The majority of the birthday crew.

2 of my favorite foods, tempura and sashimi

Stairway photos, still missing some people  but got most of them!

Following dinner (it was like the longest dinner ever I think), we went to Barranco, the bohemian district next to Miraflores to a Mardi Gras style party, as it was Fat Tuesday.  We got beads and had a jazz band.  It was over pretty early, but it was fun, and I got sung happy birthday at midnight!  There were more of my friends here too so it was even more fun.  Apparently I only have 2 pictures from the entire night?  Help me out here folks!

Jules, my Canadian friend Tom, my wanna be Canadian friend from New Jersey, Christian and Sandy.

Chris with my feather boa as a wig.

On my actual birthday, we woke up with a sick cat.  Jinx was grumpy and didn't want to be touched.  We had plans to go out, so we waited, but right before we left it was obvious he needed medical attention.  So we rushed him to his amazing vet, Animal Place and found out that he had an infection, likely from playing with wasps that I had seen him bothering the day before.  So we got him on some meds, and left him for the afternoon.

Still very worried, and thinking, "of course this would happen on my birthday" we caught a cab to Camacho to Nilma and Dom's for my birthday party.  Nilma was sweet enough to offer up her pool and home to me for the afternoon.  And although most of my friends work, there were a great bunch that were able to make it.  We enjoyed the pool and some great food and drinks.  I also got one of Nilma's to die for espresso chocolate cakes.

29 years old and I still get embarrassed when people sing me happy birthday.  Weird. 

Pool soccer/volleyball.  I only hit the kids in the face a few times.

Lovelies!

Man I look tired!

After the pool party, we went to pick up my baby Jinxy, who was feeling much better after a few hours of antibiotics.  Josh and I decided we were hungry and that we would try El Hornero in San Isidro.  Best decision ever.  Top 10 steaks I have had in the world for sure.  

It was a fantastic day, well two days, and thanks to all that came out, and brought me gifts and made it so amazing!  I also am including the following photo because Jules got me this super cute Panama hat the day after my birthday, for my birthday.  Also, this was one of our last shopping trips :(  Miss you beautiful!  (She left to go home to Dubai yesterday forever)

The Day in Cieneguilla /Ericka's Birthday!

My lovely friend Ericka's birthday was last week, so she invited me to her place in a district of Lima called Cieneguilla.  Cieneguilla is on the far east outskirts of Lima and it took almost an hour and a half for me to get there from Miraflores.  I was pretty sure I was getting punked, because at one point, I was pretty much just in the middle of the desert with no one else around.  I was shocked when I arrived to her town and it was probably the most gorgeous area of Lima that I have been to.  Lush and tropical, the Lurin River running through the middle and big sprawling yards with restaurants, hostels, adventure parks and hotels.  Ericka's family own a hostel with some small bungalows and fruit trees everywhere beside there family home. 

 I arrived and my friend Nilma, and her baby Josha were already there.  Ericka made us a delicious drink, made with Pisco and the maracuya fruit that grow in her yard.  After a quick visit, we decided to go for a walk around to see the river and the town.

We arrived back and were greeted by Ericka's family.  Her two kids, her mom, an aunt and her hilarious and adorable grandparents.  Her mom had prepared from scratch one of my favorite Peruvian dishes, Aji de Gallina.  It is basically shredded chicken in a mixture of spices and then slowly cooked.  Served with rice and potatoes.  It was the best I have had!  I love the food in Peru!  Nilma also prepared another fantastic espresso chocolate cake. So amazing!

After lunch, I wandered around and took some photos in the yard.  They grow some of my favorite fruits!

This crocodile is real, but dead and Ericka's grandfather brought it back from the jungle when he was in the war.  It scared me so bad when I saw it that I almost peed myself.  He thought it was HILARIOUS!

 We also did a bit of a mini photoshoot .  This is me and Josh.

Isabella, grandma, Nilma and Josh and me.

Late in the afternoon, Ericka, myself and the kids took the long ride (even longer at rush hour) back into Miraflores.  We went to IK Restaurante, owned by Ericka's friend Franco.  Ericka runs a company called Delectable Peru Tours that does private tours and, tastings and parties all over Lima, so she knows all the best places and knows all the chefs.  Actually she was in charge of the tour when I learned to make Ceviche and Pisco sours.  Ik restaurant was amazing!  

After a fantastic meal, we got a tour of the restaurant and kitchen with Chef Franco.  He is such a nice guy and a talented chef.  

I hope Ericka enjoyed her birthday, because I know I sure did!  Hope you had a great one darling, and many more!