Sat. July 11: The moments before a wedding are always the same regardless of the culture. We had a hurry and wait morning with lots of excitement all magnified by no electricity. I hope someone else in town had a good time with the extra. So between the wrinkled clothes, unknown departure time and vehicles, and an unfortunate theft last night of all the groom’s most important things and documents, starting the wedding on time was just impossible. Not mention of course that we’re in Africa. Sharp and time are like oil and water together.
Jami and I anticipated a bit of this running around and seeing as we couldn’t do anything to quell the situation, we did some chores. We washed clothes and hung them to dry, cleaned the kitchen (props mainly to Jami for washing 10 people’s dishes) and washing our hair. So lots of soap and water. Next time we’ll have to do 3 in 1 to conserve, good karma for the next three weeks in Kenya. When the time/taxi finally arrived we were ready and feeling accomplished and clean.
The wedding, meant to start at 11am start promptly at 11:55 and not a moment later. The decorations were spray painted vases with sticks with burgundy and gold. So cool. The wedding party all wore beautiful garments of the same colors which had accents of intricate embroidery. One Voice, a choir maid of former choir kids, gave a couple songs to welcome us and accompany Prossy as she walked down the aisle. The Pastor spoke for some time, nothing short for sure, but unlike the uncomfortable pictures we try to create in the states when everyone in their new heels and dresses stand silently looking on, the entire wedding party sat and listened. Once the vows and the rings were exchanged, they should at attention, looking quite beautiful. Lots of cheering, singing, and clapping brought the ceremony to a close and then off they went.
Now, a reception did occur immediately following. Dad- you could go get lunch and take a nap before getting white cake. In between these wedding and reception, the wedding party gets pictures, takes naps, etc to arrive about 3 hrs later for the food and fun festivities. So we went to have lunch near the reception hall and check email. I enjoyed some mango and pineapple ice cream which was refreshing and tasty.
The reception started at 3ish, do the math, and so we walked into the decorated lawn that was about a third full. The wedding party came about 20 minutes later and welcomed us all even though all of us felt right at home, chatting with friends and meeting new ones. Cut cake which Jordan served to Prossy while she kneeled to him, ate food which was a lot of starch and soda, clapped for speeches, enjoyed One Voice sing and dance, and finally danced all night. I learned some good moves from JP and again felt completely at ease despite my no-beat muzuguness. I’m not overly tired but certainly hot and sweaty and thankful that I can get away to my bed to write a little. I left it all on the dance floor I guess.
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