27 in Africa.

Not everyone gets to celebrate a birthday in Africa... this year I was able to. And it was a fun day, full of food and wonderful friends!
The Hospitality Department had a birthday party for me during our break. We had an delicious homemade Black Forest Raspberry cake.

The Gates Family and some of my other friends went to dinner on the beach to a really nice restaurant. We got their just in time to enjoy the beautiful sunset. Good food, a nice breeze, sand between my toes, waves in the background, chocolate cake, amazing company... a memorable birthday!

The Group!
Girls from the Gates Family... love them all.

When you live on a ship, gift giving becomes really creative. There is no mall, just a ship shop with the basics and with-out an income, gifts become artistic, inventive, ingenious and resourceful. Some examples:

"This vouches entitles you to a 2 minute extra shower time on board the Africa Mercy. Valid on the 10th of October only." (We are suppose to only take 2 minute showers, but Saturday I was able to have a 4 minute shower :)

"In honor of your big day, you will receive a cinnamon roll every Saturday for the month of October." (A young girl bakes homemade cinnamon rolls every Saturday morning for sale, and they are absolutely delicious)

A laundry coupon... 4 loads- washed, dried folded

A personalize "beach bag" that was put together solely from items in the Boutique (a Good Will store on the ship). There was everything from worn shoes, to a polka-dot swimsuit bottom, to a used beach mat with holes, and Mercy disco beads.

I also received several Ritter Sport chocolate bars... they know me well!

My friends never cease to amaze me! Thank you all for making it a wonderful birthday, loved all the emails and facebook messages as well!