June14,

🎵🎶🎵 YOU SAY IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY!! {Da-na-na} 🎵🎶🎵

We awoke by 0700 to WhatsApp video chat with my mother and her husband. As soon as we connected, they sang the Happy Birthday Song (original, not the Beatles version). What fun! Thank you for that blessed start!! They are doing well.

Then we set about having our Javas and breakfast of Muesli and yogurt. When we finished it was pretty much time to Zoom with our church back home. We talked with some; had a video sermon; and then talked some more. Always good to connect with brethren!

Next we went out for lunch. Jeff had made reservations for us at Zig Zag Restaurant. This restaurant advertises “Alpandina Gastronomy”, and that their “philosophy is to generate a fusion of Alpine specialities with aromas and flavours of the Peruvian Coast, Andes, and Amazon.” Yeah!!! We ordered “Trio Especial De Carnes”- Three meats: Beef, Alpaca, and Lamb; and “Maget De Pato De Granja De Oxapampa”- Breast of Duck from Oxapampa farm. For sides we both had “Venduras A La Provencal”- Provencal Vegetables; with our second sides differing – I had “Pesque De Tres Quinuas”- Threes kinds of Quinoas Creamed, and Jeff had Papa Con Sour Cream”- Sour Cream Potato. Before our meals arrived, we were given a complimentary bread plate with two dishes: one was Anchovy Butter and the other was a salsa pesto of herbs. We were then donned with paper bibs. This was because our meals were served on a sizzling hot slab of volcanic rock. My duck had enough fat that this actually caused quite of popping grease, which was great for presentation, but was rather annoying. My glasses, my phone and the table were covered with spots of grease! But the flavors of the meal made up for it. Jeff’s dish did not splatter near as much. All of the different meats were fantastic! We shared a small pitcher of “Sangria De La Casa”- a house secret signature blend of Peruvian Wine, Pisco, and macerated fruits. I went to wash my glasses and face when I heard the waiters sing Happy Birthday…someone here was sharing my birthDAY. What fun! We also had two desserts: “Tartaleta Con Frutas De Estacion Y Crema Pastelera”- Tartlet with exotic fruit (Blueberries & Gooseberries) with homemade pastry cream; and “Delicia De Chocolate Y Castana Con Helado”- Chocolate and Brazil nuts Delight (fudgy brownie/tort) with choice of ice cream (chose Mango). Whew! As we were digging into these, I was brought a complimentary dessert for my birthday (no singing, thankfully). Needless to say we had most of the desserts boxed up for take away! Overall a great experience!!! 👍🏻👍🏻 The meal cost 260 PEN with a tip of 26 PEN for a total of 286 PEN or $84!

Then we left sitting in the square in front of the restaurant and had a WhatsApp video chat with my sister. It was a lovely afternoon outside – and my sister got to see & appreciated the little square as well. She and her family were all fine. When we finished our chat, we left and walked back to our place. We just relaxed and let our bodies absorb our delicious food. Evening came about and we watched the sunset on our roof. We then ate a light supper of cheese and crackers.

It was a Blessed and Grand Birthday!!