A was up from early morning getting her suitcase ready for the honeymoon, as well as finishing off the 300+ thank you notes to be delivered to each guest upon their arrival to the dinner party. But mid-morning she took a nap, and I had a few hours free to go to the Buena Vista market, where I picked up a few small souvenirs for friends and family. The Buena Vista market is a large indoor market selling anything from jewelry to dishes to clothes to large bedroom furniture. Every item has a set price, and you can pay by credit card.
By the time I returned from the market, the make-up artists had arrived.
I took a short nap, freshened up and dressed for the party; by then, A had turned into Cinderella.
The Church was decorated in lilies. The ceremony was a standard Roman Catholic mass & wedding ceremony. I had no idea what the priest was saying but people seemed to be enjoying his mass.
Onto the reception.
A large mansion which is now used as a private museum was rented for this evening. It was something out of the movies. High ceilings; wide, stone steps with tea candles on each side of each step; shining armour placed by doors that led to a huge dining room... Look at how the tables were decorated, with light pouring through from inside the white tableclothes:
While the guests were enjoying a few drinks, the family (and luckily, I) were tucked away on the second story balcony where the legal ceremony took place. It was about a 15 minutes service, the marriage licensor reading them... their rights? I guess the rules of the marriage. Anyway, this licensor was a no-nonsense kinda woman. As with the priest, I had no idea what she was saying, but her straight-forward attitude spoke for itself.
Look kids. I've been there, done that. This is the biggest job you'll ever take on, you'll make the biggest sacrifices, you'll work the hardest in your life. But for the right pair, it's the best job, with the best benefits, and years will fly by like seconds because you'll be having so much fun. Tell ya what: you guys look like you've got what it takes. Take it or leave it, but if you're gonna take it, sign here.
I'd like to imagine that those were her words in Spanish. I was very glad I could witness this. I've never seen it so official and ceremonial but also celebratory, all at once. I thought this was how I would like my wedding to be like, official and down-to-earth but celebrating something special. I thought A and her family really nailed it with their wedding; the whole thing, I mean. And you could tell people were wishing them real congratulations.
Onto the party! But first... the happy bride with her girls. We, like so many other people, were so happy for her.
The first dance as husband and wife, to their special song, sung by a tenor against a small orchestra.
And then, everyone got up and started dancing... and dancing and dancing and dancing!! The Mexicans really know how to have a good time, all together, grandma's and grandpa's alongside 13 year olds. And with practically no alcohol in them. This was a nice change from the Japan scene, which can get elementary pretty quickly (and that's a drinker talking). The band that was playing was going at it for hours and hours, sounding great the whole time. I danced a quite bit myself. And my friend S came and joined me from Tokyo! A and S got to meet; I was very happy about that.
The party went on until 6am, when A & her husband got into a cab to go to their honeymoon (another mental note to self: leave party and go to honeymoon straight. Hmm... I wonder if that would fly in Japan? Probably not). Then S, A's parents and I went home and slept. But not before we noticed the boxes of Thank You notes on the dining room table... Oops.
And when I woke up arround noon later that day, her mom was already up preparing for the lunch party she was hosting at her house for 40 people!!!!! I love this country.
More updates to follow.
Many thanks for your patience. Homefront update: the youngest boy got de-man-itized recently and he is requiring 24-hour full care (partly I think he's milking his "tragedy" for all it's worth; partly, I think he is uncomfortable). And uncharacteristically, the older boy is expressing comtempt at all the attention going to little bro. Both older and younger beg to be held and loved, so I comply.
Who can resist??
G'night!
