Since my birthday fell on a Saturday, I had to teach. I didn’t
mind, because I adore my Saturday class: 2 girls who are stellar students. It’s
very easy to work with them, and they even got me a cake! That was the
beginning of my all-day sugar rush.
Part 2 of the celebration was a lunch date with a friend at
Sports Planet, a restaurant/bar where as the birthday girl, I got a free menu
item. We noshed on nachos, followed by a complimentary ice cream, which we
shared.
The grand event was High Tea at the Alcazar hotel. This gem
of a place is nestled among the craziness of downtown Cuenca, but once you walk
through the glass doors, you are transported to a wonderland of shiny
chandeliers, gurgling fountains, majestic statues, and lush gardens. Our soiree
was housed in a pergola in the garden, and the image of the sun shining through
the glass walls, glinting off the china and teacups, is plastered to my brain.
I’ve never taken part in anything like this…fancy marmalades, sweet breads,
fine tea, and dainty hor d’oeuvres. Was this Ecuador or the Queen’s Palace in
England? It was 2 hours of pure bliss and luxury; I’m quite thankful to have
had that experience. The thanks really go to my two very good friends, Lynne
and Eileen for organizing that extravaganza. These two women are more than
friends, they’re my beacons of light when I’m weathering stormy seas; they’re
stable supports when I’m stumbling through the obstacles of life; they’re my
partners in crime when we’re gallivanting through a culture that sometimes
confuses (or amuses) us. They’re family now, whether they like it or not!
A bonus to the garden bash was that Lynne’s birthday was the
day before mine, so our High Tea was a double-celebration. All-in-all, it was a
whimsical afternoon spent with a group of outstanding women and friends. Thank
you. Thank you. Thank you. I guess I should say Gracias. Gracias. Gracias. Even if you took away the fancy food,
the elegant setting, and the extremely generous gifts (did I deserve all of
that?) the people made the occasion special. And you know what? I’m realizing
that as I get older, life keeps getting better. We’ll see if I say the same
thing in a couple of decades!
No comments:
Post a Comment