Day 15: Zak's 15th Birthday

Dina, our hostess at the Kilima Kidogo Lodge, did a wonderful job with Zachary's birthday party tonight. We were joined by Thomas and Soizik, which was very kind of them. Each of us kicked in some money and Dina bought a number of local handicraft gifts and wrapped them in elaborate banana leaf and flower arrangements. She also baked a chocolate cake with chocolate icing and placed it on a table in the middle of more leaves and flowers. Between the bar and the beach was a double palm leaf arbor adorned with vines and colorful bougainvillea blossoms. We had some photos under the arbor and then we were joined by a group of Maasai who did a high-pitched warrior whooping dance in which they took turns jumping up and down and then charging the audience. I can see where this would be very intimidating to their enemies. Zak was entreated to join the dance and he was a good sport about the whole thing. After the dance the Maasai spread out their wares and made a few sales. We were then served dinner. Maya and I split the seafood platter for two and it was enough for four. I laid waste to a crowd of fish and shellfish. Maya had a crab with the largest pincer I have ever seen on a plate. I could not crack it with the cracker and had to resort to beating the thing against the leg of the table to get at the meat inside. We then played "Givers and Grabbers" in which we rolled two dice and any combination of five or a five showing allowed the roller to open a gift. Once all the gifts were opened we had fifteen rounds to steal. Maya and Dina and Soizik went back and forth over a carved ebony pumba (warthog) and Thomas and I over a game. It was great fun and we all took something home we liked; a wonderful birthday party that will be remembered by all.