Happy Birthday Morgen.. Manic Monday Minions Celebrate!

Welcome one and all to Morgen’s around the world birthday celebration EXTRAVAGANZA! I thought long and hard.. what to do for the fearless leader of the crazy manic minions he has been inspired. Plus, let’s face it any excuse to haul out the new and improved snazzy luggage.. and I’m a happy girl! It was an extensive trip and I apologize for being so late but you try and cover so many countries is so little time.. I mean.. I must have lost the greatest part of my time explaining to Customs officials all around the world who this Morgen is and why he’s dressed like a pharaoh (the gold lame is FAHBULOUS DAHLING!) So.. I got my luggage, my passport, my world map, a picture of Morgen, Fodor’s guide to the universe and a nice hat ( I decided against the pith helmet, it didn’t match my shoes). Our trip begins in New Zealand, where after the birthday candles are lit, everyone gathers and sings the Happy Birthday song loudly and usually out of tune (look, I’ve only been there once it is NOT my fault! I hear Matt’s the one responsible). Once the singing is mercifully over, the birthday person then receives a clap on the back for every year they’ve been alive and of course one more for luck. 41 claps… hmmmm… This might take a while, but thankfully you have enough friends to go round Mo. Kia huritau ki a koe! (in Maori) I head off to the home of the BentoBoxx…Japan.. (um.. Morgen? A Samurai?) Otanjou-bi Omedetou Gozaimasu! Happy Birthday in Japanese... or so I'm told... actually it's that or your mother sat on a walrus... Well, but of course, tradition says one must wear new clothes one one’s birthday! Ok..well, I know it applies mainly to kids, but Mo.. you are young at heart! ( An excuse to shop.. WOOOOHOOO!.. and who says new clothes says new shoes!) I'm not sold on the parasol... We head off to Russia… Ok.. I have an issue here.. PIE? See, it seems the Russians don’t have a birthday cake.. it’s a PIE!! With wishes carved on the crust! Knowing that this won’t do because Mo loves cake, I promptly grab a case of vodka and head off to my next destination… Pazdravliayu s dniom razhdjenia! - again.. I think that's right.. but.. cabbie looked drunk... I was secretly hoping Mikhail Barishnikov would be on the flight.. but alas… Bello! Welcome to Italy… Buon Compleanno! Ah yes… now, as I was busy roaming the piazzas I encountered a lovely darling man who was so very helpful and offered to squire me around on his vespa… through my um.. adventures… I managed to do some research, and I found out that on their birthday, an Italian child’s ears are pulled (no this is not code for.. um.. never mind) I was saying, a child’s ears are pulled as many times as how old they are turning. Ok.. I admit it.. this picture has nothing to do with Italy.. but seriously.. Mo.. who cares! I'll give you a moment to reflect... *sigh* Right... so.... where to next? We hop on a river cruise... and cross the sea.. taking a trip to the Nile to visit Egypt (you didn't think I would forget to take you cruising in Egypt did you?) In Egypt people invite many friends and family to their birthday parties, and will often serve two birthday cakes (makes up for the stupid Russian pie tradition!). One cake has candles while the other one doesn't. A great deal of food is served such as cookies, sesame breads... Eid milaad saeed! (In Arabic, I'm not even joking about this one...... nope.. nosiree!) Homes are decorated with paper garlands called zeena that look like chains of snowflakes. These are hung all around the house. (Hung? Hey what just walked out of the water?) We board a flight across the Atlantic down towards South America for a stop in Peru where guests at a birthday party often receive two kinds of party favors. The first favor is a goody box or bag and the second is a pin made in honor of the event. And there are almost always fancy paper hats (how attractive!). You sir, receive a crown! Feliz Cumpleaños! And we take you back to North America.. where all your friends are gathered to wish you... HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY MORGEN! Love you more than my New and Improved Luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes! Thanks Vince