21... It's A Magic Number...

I should start by saying that, thankfully, I had dear friends to celebrate with me, and as the night went on, to take very good care of me. Special thanks goes out to Kaitlin Bailey and Sam Erickson. Love you guys!!!
So much can be gathered from a photo… so this post will have lots of pictures, and very few words ☺


The "oil can" beer that Tarik gave me.

December 5th, my dear friend Sam arrived in Paris. Just in time for the notorious 21st-birthday-eve. The evening started out with some gifts: the I [heart] PARIS shirt, a couple bottles of wine, various different beers… all of which were sampled in the company of great friends, the comfort of my little shoebox sized room. Then we were off. We made it to a bar called “Frog and Princess” just before midnight. I explained to the bartender that he had exactly two minutes to pour 9 shots before I turned 21. He responded fabulously.

First (Legal?) Drink!

Minutes later, my phone rings. I answer, thinking I’m getting birthday wishes from my Dad. After informing him that I had a mojito in one hand and a beer in the other, and I had just taken a birthday shot in a bar, I realize I’m actually talking to my GRANDPA. (sorry grandpa… for anything else I might have said!!!) I am sure my grandparents envisioned me spending a quiet 21st birthday in Paris, playing tiddlywinks and sipping my first taste of an alcoholic beverage at the stroke of midnight. Sorry to crush the vision grandpa…

Right after talking to grandpa...

We made our way to another bar – famous for its pint-sized long island iced teas. Needless to say, this is where the night gets a little hazy for me… But photos are worth a thousand words! So enjoy.


Enjoying Long Island Iced Teas and dancing with my friend, Cherif

I arrived home safely in my chariot (which may have looked a little more like a shopping cart…)

Oh, they were great...

The next night, December 6th, my friend Tarik hosted a “Global Village” in the building where I live. Essentially it was just a good excuse for everyone to make excellent food from all over the world and make a party out of it. Could I have asked for a better birthday? I submit that I could NOT ☺


The Americans brought some good ol' PB&J's...

And hosted some educational seminars
on University-style Drinking Games. A BIG hit.

Our Moroccan buddies getting the party started at Global Village

Kaitlin: "Tarik. I need a birthday candle to put on

Dani's cake."
Tarik: "No problem. I have candles in my room.
Go find one."
(five minutes later)
Kaitlin: "Tarik, you only have huge scented
candles in big glass jars."
Tarik: "Well why don't you just use my cigarette?"

turns out a lit cigarette is VERY hard to blow out...

More Moroccan Friends...

Thanks to her, my 21st was certainly a birthday to remember