Our friend Shannon was in town attended her BF's cousin's wedding and graciously got some of her friends on the reception guest list, so that we may experience a traditional Indian wedding.We arrived in style. The entrance felt like the Oscar's: red carpets, lots of steps, marching bands, and gyrating spot lights. We were greeted at the door with single roses, snacking nuts, and sweet Lassi drinks (like a yogurt smoothie). The reception area was an auditorium; the stage featured 2 thrown and an intricate house-like scene with another band playing on the side. We could not find Shannon and assumed that she was in the procession.
After over an hour of anticipation, the bride/groom came out and sat down and camera flashes popped: it looked like a modeling shoot. Our driver then came and found us. Wrong wedding! We left unnoticed.
We then arrived at our intended destination, in the same complex. Late. The procession was over and dinner was underway. Hungry and frustrated, we made a bee line to the buffet style serving area. We shoveled down a few plates and received a call from our driver. Wrong wedding... again! Twice!
After meandering the car down path in the same area, we walked in sheepishly and were immediately called out from the stage area, also adorned with the throwns and picture takers. We were greeted by the family and Shannon and thrust into wedding pics, drinks, and dancing. Like Goldilocks, this one was just right.
The (right) wedding party.
4 comments:
Buddy,
That's ridiculous. You got two weddings wrong? What were they serving at the buffet? I'm hungry.
Do people get drunk at Indian weddings?
mj
buffet was traditional Indian foods:
you get a plate (sometimes covered with a banana leaf) and you usually cover it with rice. you ladle different gravy based foods on it. gravy is usually some combination of milk, butter, oil, and/or spices/powders.
there are also varieties of daal (bean based), yogurt, and chutney (fruit based), for sides.
you then get some type of roti (bread). my favorite roti is chipati, which is made by sticking dough on the inside of a tandoor (kiln). most ppl are familiar with naan, which is northern cuisine. breakfast roti can be dosas (like crepes) and idly (like puffs).
*you mix up the food with your fingers and shovel it into your mouth with your right hand (the left hand is used for unclean things) or with roti. traditionally, there are no utensils and bread are the napkins, though upscale or touristy places have both.
you may also be familiar with samosas and pakodas which are fried snacks.
the deserts are quite sweet. they are usually dipped in syrup and/or fried. my favorite one has been mysorepak, so far.
men usually drink scotch or whiskey at events, sometimes to excess. traditional women don't drink or smoke.
there was a bunch of dancing.
Bunch 'o wedding crashers you've turned into!!! I think you should change your name to Owen????
Hey, that cricket must have been wonderful. I knew about the chanting through the whole game, even for 5 day tests.... I would have loved to have been there. Thanks for calling, it was great to hear from you. Have fun.
great wedding pics greg!
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