11 posts tagged “india”
I know, I know... it's late in the making, but I was the Matron of Honour at a dear friends wedding this past weekend, and I swear I haven't had a moments rest until now... even though I am currently on the clock ;)
So I believe that I left off at the onset of the actual wedding. Being a foreigner, I could really only go on what I could read up about Hindu weddings before I got there... Aju was no help, I think he slept through all of the previous weddings he attended, and as much as his family would try, when you've seen something a million times it becomes less sensational, and therefore, fewer things would stand out as remarkable.
The day of the wedding itself was ridiculously slow for myself and my girlfriend who made the trek over with us. We basically sat around, munched on food, did our nails and what not, while everyone else ran around in a frenzy getting last things together. I believe I even vegged out in front of the tv... lol. The ceremony was supposed to start at 6pm but nothing in India is on time. We left for the hair dresser at 4:30pm, and we were rushed from the moment we got into the car, until we arrived at the site. At the "Beauty Parlour" I was immediately put into a chair and the work on my hair began... three people worked on me, including the owner, Pinky. There were over 100 pins placed into my hair to keep it from moving... I have pretty long hair, so it tends to be heavy when it's up. Then I was taken to the back room - pretty open space in retrospect, and I was stripped down to my undies so that my sari could be properly wrapped and draped across my body. I was glad that part was quick... even at 31 it's a bit embarassing to have strangers poking and proding at you semi-naked. Crystal experience some similar embarassments and we were back into the car and on our way to the hall... however, I still didn't have any make up on. I'm proud to say that I managed to apply the makeup I wore in the car, 5 minutes before I arrived at the hall... many good years of practice there getting ready to go to a party at the last minute, in the backseat of a car, put to good use!
Once I arrived at the hotel - this is where the wedding and reception were held - I was taken right up stairs and I was adorned in some of the most gorgeous gold and diamonds you've ever seen. The necklaces were family pieces and they weighed a ton... the diamond ring and bangle are mine to keep, along with the diamond stud earings.
Aju and I entered the room together in front of a room full of guests, and we sat in the two very regal chairs that had been set out for us, across from where the Maharaj (priest) was sitting. Then family and very close friends closed in the ranks all around us in their chairs. The remaining guests sat in rows of chairs placed a bit further back in the hall. The atmosphere of this was extremely intimate. Everyone close to us was able to hear every detail of the pooja (prayers) and the significant sections of the matrimony.
The poojas were probably the longest part of the ceremony, along with their offerings to God. A close family to Aju's mother acted as my parents during the procedings. Actually, there seemed to be a number of substitutions made by family members to fill the necessary roles... this part is a bit difficult to explain, but in essence, 3 males from "my family" are required to agree to "give me away".
The most significant part to me was when the Maharaj explained everything that had happened during the ceremony to us in English. He had placed our feet together to signify that we would share the same path together in life, he tied our hands together to signify that we were bound to each other in all matters of life, he touched our heads together to signify that we were always to think of the other, and the last part is eluding me a bit, but it signified that our destiny was now joined. It was truly magnificent... and not to knock anyone elses marriages, but far more meaningfull than and "I do".
After the ceremony had ended and we were announced husband and wife, we took about 250 pictures with the guests. Basically every family that attends waits in a line to offer their blessings to the couple and to have their photo taken with them. This was quite lengthy and exhausting. Following the paparazzi, we were able to join the other guests in the reception room and enjoy some of the best Indian cuisine I've ever had. Truly it was a scrumptuous feast! And I couldn't have planned it any better myself, but it ended with a banana and chocolate crumble with vanilla ice cream... sweet mother of god, it was deadly.
At some point, I can't even guess when this was, we left the hall and headed back to the house to change, get our overnight bag and return to the hotel. There was another pooja when we entered the house, this time as a married couple. We went back to our hotel room for the night... and celebrated by watching Fat Albert on the tv and falling asleep! lol
The following morning we were picked up and escorted back home, where there were a few more poojas waiting to be done, and a presentation by his mother to me of a beautiful pearl necklace, bracelet and earrings - something she knew I was looking for to wear to the wedding here in May. It was just so lovely of his parents to do that. I was very, very touched.
All in all, I was treated like a queen, spoiled rotten and had a spectacular time. The absolutely best moment, without hesitation, that I will be remembering in my last breaths on this earth will be, when Aju leaned into me and said that "this was the best day of his life" during the ceremony.
I never realized that I would be as happy as I am, or that I even could be this happy.
If you enjoy reading this, you can send your thanks on to RPM for the gentle nudge to pen it.
Hindu weddings are HUGE, filled with colour, people everywhere, unmatched excitement and multiple events. While I have no problem speaking in front of large crowds and have done so on numerous occassions, I tend to lean towards small and intimate when it comes to expressing my personal emotions, or displaying my life for others. Therefore I was quite anxious about just how big this wedding was going to turn out to be. To my pleasure, with only 3 weeks to plan it, we managed about 200 people, and only 3 major events.
Each of the three events required a special, tailor made outfit... absolutely beautiful stuff. The first event was a "Thread Ceremony" for Aju - this symbolizes his commitment to his faith and the fact that he is a man. There is a pooja, which to Christians, is similiar to a blessing. Aju was given a thread that has been soaked in tumeric and he had to wear it next to his skin, until the end of the wedding. This ceremony seemed to be very special to his family, the look of joy and satisfaction on his mom's face is beyond words. At the end of this ceremony the Maharaj (Priest) performed a Ganesha pooja for first Aju and then for me. This was very moving - a Ganesha pooja is to invoke that God's blessing upon you before your wedding in this case.
Following this pooja, was a Mehendhi party. This is where any and all of the women invited to the wedding get together to dance, listen to music and have their hands decorated with henna tattoos.
Later that evening, there was another pooja where Aju's clothes were ripped off of him... it was quite funny, especially because he wore jeans and a thick shirt - people really struggled. I think that this was to tear away his old "self" and prepare him for his new "self" as a married man. We were also told that from this point on until after the wedding we were representative of Gods ourselves, and thus able to grant special favours and requests for people. A couple of people really did ask us for blessings... one woman, very sweet lady, asked if I would bless her daughter so that she would get married soon herself as she was getting on in age (about 26).
The wedding.... part two to come. Coronation Street just started. :)
It's good to be home, but it's tough to get back to reality.
In India, I'd wake up, put my laundry outside of my room, which was picked up by the maid daily and washed.
I'd proceed down to the kitchen and ask the cook to make my breakfast, generally speaking, whatever I was craving.
The table would be set for me, a drink poured and breakfast delivered. Fresh oranges peeled and separated were the end to every breakfast sitting, to help combat the mosquitos.
From there is was whatever, until lunch... repeat of breakfast.
Usually the afternoons were filled with arriving guests, with gifts or treats in hand, or shopping excursions.
The evenings comprised of dinner, drinks with friends, or family time in front of the AC.
Basically, I wanted for nothing, was treated like a queen, and never had to pick up after myself.
Still I ached for home. For the simple pleasure of cuddling with Marshy.
Now that we're back though, it's tough to clean the house, buy the groceries, pay the bills, discipline Marshy, oh and of course, go back to work.
God life is tough ;)
It's 5am... I am DEAD tired, but we're up and getting ready to head out to the airport. 30 hours of travel ahead! Yee haw :)
Updates to come... for those who have asked, we're heading from Halifax to Toronto, Toronto to Frankfurt and Frankfurt to Chennai.
Next update from Chennai....
... until we leave for India. There is still SOOOO much to do. I "think" I have everything bought and ready for the Bridal Shower and Bachelorette I am throwing tomorrow for Cheryl... then it's down to laundry, getting our taxes done and packing. I figure that I will sleep once we get on the first flight... that's 2.5 hours atleast. Then we have a 7 hour wait in Toronto before we head to Frankfurt. A couple of hours in Frankfurt and then it's on to India finally. All in all we are expecting 30 hours on the way there, and approximately the same on the way back. It's going to be nuts though... my friend Crystal is coming with us, and she's A type personality. I'm expecting her to get on my last nerve quickly, but Aju is good at being a buffer. Don't get me wrong, she's the best... and I'm thrilled she's coming with us :) I just know how she and I are when we're over tired and out of our elements.
Two weeks until March 5th... and we embark on our voyage (30 hours) to India. There is still so much to be done... it's insane. I thought that I was getting a dent into things this weekend, but upon reflection this morning, not so much.
It's nice and early here right now, Marshy has discovered the joy of staying in bed, under the covers, with Aju whilst I get up and start my day... which always includes a few minutes on the computer (I like to get into my work mail and make sure there are no surprises before I get into the office). So finally, I have some peace and quiet. Marshy isn't that bad, but he loves his attention, and sometimes you just need a wee break.
Anywho, with regards to the Inbasket exercise I did last week, meh, I like the format I used to address it, but it took me (and everyone else) the full three hours to complete it and when I left I wasn't thrilled with what I had done. But it was my first kick at the can... so we'll just wait and see... the funny thing is, the more I think about it, the less I want this job. Even Aju has said that he'd almost rather I didn't get it, because I'd never be home. I've always wanted to do well at work and have aspired to be successful... but within the last year the mommy bug has bitten me, and as much as I enjoy working, it's not as much of a priority anymore. Kudos to those women who do both successfully, but I want to enjoy my kids, God willing we have them, for as long as I can. This new position will not lend itself well to making that happen, but it'll mean a truck load of more money. Truth be told, my intuition is telling me that I'm not going to get it... and I think I'm satisfied with that. Unfortunately, I will still have to go through the actual interview, and I can't go into that looking like an idiot, for preservation purposes alone.
meh... who knows, I'm just looking forward to my weddings :) everything can take a back seat for now...
This is where we're heading - Chennai - in 25 days or bust!!
I got my passport and appropriate visa back in the mail earlier this week - huge sigh of relief! Something about putting your passport in the mail that freaks me out.
The planning for the India wedding is a bit out of control... I'm glad we're on this side of the world at the moment :) Apparently my sari is bought and waiting for me, which is nice... though I'm sure some women would want to be more choosy and pick their own wedding outfit. I thought about waiting until I got there to do that but it would just be another thing to add on the list to be done... so I'm trusting in his mother to take care of me and pick something beautiful. And in reality... I have another wedding on the way in May which I picked the dress for!
Oh my the good times.... I hope one day in the next 25 I'll be able to relax.... that remains to be seen!
I was just going through some of our pictures from last year's trip to India and found this super cute one of Marshy trying to convince us to take him with us lol the little devil.
It has been entirely too long since my last post, however I have been inundated with craziness!
Work - crazy complainers who have been rocking my boat... thankfully, they've been put in their place and I am once again sailing smoothly.
May Wedding in Canada - have been trying to get my invitations together to go out and continue to make arrangements... it is creeping up quickly.
Cheryl's Wedding March 31st - I am the Maid of Honor, and there is another person standing but they don't live in the area, so that means the shower and stagette fall to me.
India! We've made a last minute decision to go to India to see Aju's family and to get married there too... we're leaving March 5th. This entails a tremendous amount of preparation including, funding the tickets $4500 Cdn, obtaining my travel visa, getting time off of work, making arrangements for Marshy, etc, etc, etc. :) but I'm excited to be going again.
I have been saying recently that I have so many balls in the air that I might have made an awesome side show juggler with the circus :)
32 days till we leave!
Show us an unforgettable memory from 2006.
This is one of our engagement photos from May of 2006 - in India... it was hot as hell as you can see by my face... I'm not usually so rosy :)
