October is not a month where we traditionally travel. Too early for a winter trip and getting cold in many temperate regions, it is one of those months where we typically gather and store, so that we can spend later. So travelling on my birthday has been a rarity. One fond memory springs to mind, and reminds me that even when away from home a celebration is what you make of it, and a set of temporary companions can certainly make an occasion a memorable one.
Barber at work by railway, Puno
We were in Peru in 1996, and our group had been together for around two weeks. On the 21st of October we were due to travel by train from the shores of Lake Titicaca to the city of Cuzco, for a couple of days of sightseeing and river rafting before starting the Inca trail.
The rolling Andean hills from our train
The train ride was a 12 hour one – marginally quicker than walking the route I suspect. We left the town of Puno in the early morning, and I recall the train passing through the back-streets of the town and watching as barbers plied their trade alongside the railway tracks. As we trundled along the single track, past mountain scenery, grazing llamas and alpacas and remote communities, we passed the time playing cards and chatting with our fellow travellers.
Alpacas en route (or are they llamas?)
Unbeknown to me, Sam had made a sneaky plan with our tour guide and had a cake smuggled onto the train in Puno, and as we cleared away our lunches the cake was brought to the table, candles ablaze (wouldn’t be allowed here) and with the whole group singing my birthday wishes.
A proud moment with my surprise cake
Needless to say, the cake was consumed by all those around us long before we reached Cuzco. Just as well, as I didn’t fancy having it as extra luggage for our four day hike. But it was a lovely surprise, and although I didn’t manage to speak to my family on my birthday like I normally would do, the warmth and generosity of our travelling companions made this a birthday to remember.
The cake - it was even personalised!
This birthday is being spent at home, alone with Sam and with a meal out in London to celebrate. But should I be in a faraway place for a future birthday, I know that the day can be marked with style almost anywhere – all you need is a group of friends, a secretive partner, and an absence of ridiculous health and safety legislation.
Hey another October birthday (Oct. 15). I travelled from Spain to Vancouver Canada last year on my birthday and by myself – partner travelled by himself on another flight. The food on the plane (SwissAir) over the Atlantic was terrible and I had a 4 hour stopover. When I finally got through security and back into the boarding lounge at O’Hare I still had about 3 hours. Found a bar at the end of the terminal v. near my gate and ordered a glass of wine. I got carded! I was celebrating my 58th birthday! All the other patrons were also being carded so I got to celebrate my birthday with toasts all around from the other folk who found it somewhat wonderful, in inane, to be carded at their ages. I think I trumped them all in age, but it was great to hang out with new friends for a little time and enjoy my birthday the way it should be enjoyed, among interesting people.
Belated Happy Birthday Andy !!
Thank you Smita
I`ve awakened on my birthday – 17th October – in places as diverse as Sydney, London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Nairobi, Dublin, Tahiti, New York, Marrakesh, Muscat and Algiers. I`ve also seen out three birthdays in Pakistan.
I have something on what`s its like spending one`s birthday alone in my new book:
TRAVELS WITH MY HAT for publication end 2010.
http://christinebosborne.blogspot.com
twitter.com/mudskipper
Thanks Christine. You’ve outdone me on the birthday locations for sure. Will look out for the book. Interested to read your write up of the Adventure Travel Show. Enjoyed a chat with James Wilcox from Untamed Borders, and Geoff Hann also sold the wonders of Iraq to me. I quite liked the idea of the Falkland Islands too. Lots of tempting ideas as always…