And that's how you have a party!

Welcome back (that would be addressed to me as I am the only one following this right now).

So, today the weather is beautiful (again). Summer seems to be making a comeback here in the UK. Well, part of it anyway. A perfect day for a one year old indian boy's birthday party. And what, you ask, am I doing at a one year old indian boy's birthday party? Do I randomly select parties to experience different cultures? Am I really that desperate not to unpack my cases?? Yes. But that's not why I found myself at a party for a little boy. I was the children's entertainment. Me just as I am. Children find me very funny and entertaining. Actually, I have started doing parties this summer, focusing mainly on my music (throwing in some silliness, party games and balloon pets for good measure). Songs were in English, just in case you were wondering.

Today was something truly special. This party was GREAT. The food was GREAT. The people were very kind and the children were all beautiful. And there was very little organisation. Folks wandered in, children joined in the singing or didn't. I stopped to eat because all the children had peeled off one by one to eat with their parents. We did a supersonic version of Pass the Parcel and Musical Statues (both were finished in under 10 minutes). Anyone who has ever been to a kid's party knows that just P the P alone can take up to several days depending on number of children and how many have no idea how to pass the parcel along. And then we did a lovely rendition of 'Happy Birthday' to the man of the day who was nearly dropped in the huge cake by his very excited father. Candle burns to the face and a crown of icing would not have made for a great birthday portrait. It was controlled chaos. I was thrilled to be there and experience it.

One man joined me in the kitchen where I ate my plate of vegetarian indian food (dee-licous). He asked me about entertaining, children not men. And then our conversation turned to cultures, where the families were from, etc. He made an interesting observation. He and his wife went to Mexico two years ago, Cancun to be exact. He said it reminded him of how the Brits travel to Spain. Not to experience the culture they are travelling to but only to harness a bit of sunshine and relaxation while pretending they are still in England. I had never thought of it but this is true. Cancun (having never been but know folks who have) is just alot of beachside hotels and shops and resorts catering to American tourism. And now of course European tourism as well because Mexico is high on the list here. Tired of your fish and chips and beer in Spain? Well then, go to Cancun and get your fajitas and hamburgers and American beer in Mexico - and never have to speak a word of spanish in either country! Hooray!

Personally, I WANT to try and make people suffer through my attempts to speak the language. I want to know where the locals eat, where is the quietest beach, the ruins, cathedrals, etc. It's called travel. Otherwise they would call it something different like 'home away from home' or 'be as unadventurous as you like with a tan!'. I don't know. Just my opinion is all. I will say this, however, recently I have come to see the allure of a resort holiday - kid's clubs, drinks and food sorted, a pool, sleep, and no surprises. Always planning your own holiday, accommodating others schedules, trying to fit it all in, it's flaming exhausting! I know, poor me, I travel abroad and get worn out going to lots of sunny places in America, boo-hoo!! But as I may have mentioned, I moved abroad to see places even further afield, not always return to my roots. But hey, they are called roots for a reason and some of us heed the call more often than others. Some are deaf to the call or have in fact transplanted themselves happily and permanently. I haven't done this and don't think I will. I wonder what my daughter will do? If she lives here a few more years she will feel the pull of England. I wonder what her attitude will be like. Hopefully she'll be into the world and want to experience it all for herself.

I had a great time, earned a bit of cash, and now - yes, the time has come. It's time to unpack.
Maybe I can find one more party to crash.

Catch you on the flipside.