17 June 2005
My 23 Birthday Party
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Luis was one of the first people I met in Cape Verde. He lived in Boston since he was 15 but moved back to run the family business with his brother.
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Amy is in the Peace Corp and lives just up the street from me. She has been here for a year already, and her roommate Deanna (also Peace Corp) is even engaged to a Cape Verdian. It has been great having them nearby!
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I met Sara in the dance group Raiz di Polon. Her mother is a well known singer here, and Sara also sings, plays guitar, and writes music, in addition to being a fabulous dancer. She has been initiating me into the local music scene.
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Sara and a friend she brought to the party.
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About 15 people came. Just about everyone I invited brought a friend or two. I'm still quite pleased that I know so many people after only 2 weeks!
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From left to right: Ricardo, Melissa, her cousin Dana, and Ricardo (real estate agent who found the apartment for me).
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Bete, one of the founders of Raiz di Polon, Sara, and one of Sara's surfer friends.
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Amy got the birthday song going. It started with the same song they sing in Brazil, but then had an extra part at the end.
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In addition to making a wish when I blew out the candle, they made me bite the candle (I don't quite understand why...).
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They made me make a speech. I'm terrible at speeches, much less when they are in portuguese.
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Me looking embarrased after my "speech".
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Cutting the cake! (It is huge, we barely ate 1/4 of it.)
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