28.12.12 Sangeet
Eggs for breakfast, ew. We all decided we’d have tuk tuk
races to Sarojini Narga Market. Hannah, Ollie and I won the race (potentially
because everyone else stopped at the ATM). The way of spending here is
ridiculous. Some things are worth 10 rupee, like parking. Others can be
thousands, like clothing. I paid 150 rupee for a hippy bag for Grandma, I hope
she likes it.
We returned to our apartment to change for the black tie function
out at the farm. Babu, who is a bit like a butler and has been since he was 15
(which was probably about 30 years ago), picked us up. All ten of us piled into
the car and we were off to the Brar farm, not sure what to expect. On arrival,
we were at the entrance to a red carpet under a large white walk way. As soon
as we looked like we were about to make a move to walk down the carpet, ten
Indian men in silver sparkley suits and purple head dresses began to beat
massive drums and dance around us. It soon occurred to us that this was
actually for us, and that we needed to walk/dance our way through them to enter
the venue.
There was flowers and colourful fabric draped everywhere, I felt as
if I was trapped in a Bollywood movie. It got better when we were told Mandy
had to be part of the ceremony in ‘announcing to everyone we are having a
wedding in our family’. This involved her carrying a large pot with four
candles on top of her head and spinning and dancing her way through the crowd
surrounded by all the females in Vir’s family. Ken was also given a special
job, we had a sparkley stick with bells on it to beat around. Hannah’s cousin
John had a cane plate and a stick, which he was to use to break the plate. It
was just like what happens in Bend It Like Beckham. Little did we know as we
made our way to the dance floor that we were to dance in front of everyone and
every female (including me) had to dance with the pot on their head. With all
the clapping, cheering and music, I’m not sure I have ever been so amazed and
excited by my surroundings. There are numerous videos.
The next part of the
ceremony was for Aditi and her friends to dance for everyone, it was very
traditional, with some modern moves (the sprinkler and makarena) thrown in. We
drank, we ate, we danced. It was awesome. If my wedding is half that merry, I
will be thrilled. Ken fell asleep half way through, at about 9pm, but soon woke
up, found his second wind and hit the d.floor. We continued the party at our
house with some bailey’s but that soon came to an end when we ran out!!
29.12.12 Mendi
The Mendi (henna)
ceremony was to go ahead. We waited around for ages at Bev’s in our traditional
Indian clothing again. This time I was wearing a longer gold and pink dress
with my tights, I felt like a princess. It seems nothing happens on time here.
Time is slow and nothing is of huge importance but this is not relaxing like
Fiji, just super frustrating. While we waited in the lounge, the boys were
running around Delhi being tourists, seeing all the sights with a few beers
along the way. Anyway, we finally made it to the Mendi, only about four hours late,
but that didn’t appear to bother anyone. The farm had changed from pink and
silver to yellow. It was insane. Everything had changed colour, down to the
seat covers and flowers.
The Mendi was
very relaxed though. All the ladies just sat around holding their palms up in
order for the henna to dry, it did look very odd. However, the outcome was
amazing and it will be with my for a good few weeks yet. We had dinner at a new club, which I think is
for the military and their families. We were the first guests they’d had. After
the previous evening, it was an alcohol free affair. It was lovely though.,
exactly what we needed. Tej was keen to go out, and did so. He offered to take
us to, but none of us were particularly up for it so we went home and chatted.
Hannah and I had a huge boy catch up and talked about Swanbourne. It is really
special that the year we’ve had apart hasn’t changed our friendship at
all. I’m lucky to have her and her
amazing family!!
30.12.12 Wedding Time!
We woke up and lay about, had a relaxing morning etc, until
Mandy ran into our room at 10.03am to tell us the wedding was all on and that a
car was to pick us up at 10.30am… Holy shit. Luckily, like I said, nothing
happens on time here and Lynda had already had a shower – phew. However we were
very rushed. We piled into the car and were on our way to the farm. Pink and
blue were the colours of the day and everyone looked amazing!
Next was the Christian ceremony, at which they exchanged rings under a blessing and then cut the cake. This was then followed by a hindu ceremony which was purely the exchanging of garlands. Each ceremony took place of a different raised platform throughout the venue. Then, finally, we could celebrate and congratulate the married couple!! We ate, drank and danced, then went back to B and P’s to continue. Aditi and Vir were welcomed home by all the females of the household. Aditi has to kick a pot of rice over the doorstep and be fed by Beverly to symbolize her being part of the Brar family now, not her own. The whiskey was a flowing and the noise level was rising, so we decided we’d go and party at our house. I have never seen a happier couple.
31.12.12 The Other Side of The Coin
Up early today in order to catch the Metro to Old Delhi to go
on a walking tour with Lynda. I jumped at the opportunity of this as I had begun
to feel I need not be in India in order to wait around for a wedding. It is a
day that I struggle to describe… The metro was surprising as it was so clean
and technologically advanced (in comparison to the rickshaws, horse and carts
and bikes). It could have been in any country in the world. The main difference
was the separation of men and women, with the women occupying the first
carriage only. It was a punishable offense for a man to be in the first
carriage. As soon as we popped up from the metro in Old Delhi, it was super
obvious we were in a different part of town. It smelt different, the poverty
was in your face, it was filthy and the people harassed everyone, especially
the white people… which Lynda and I were the only two in the entire vicinity.
We met Iqbal and S outside Jain Mandir, which is a massive outdoor temple with a maximum capacity of 25000. The only downside was the 300 idr fee to take in a camera, regardless of whether we used it or not. The boys, who were about my age and had lived on the street, been taken into a shelter and then made it in the big wide world. They took us through the back streets of Old Delhi, showing us Jain, Sihq, Hindu and Buddist temples as well as historical sights such as the first girls high school, an embroidery factory, the house of the last emperor and the spice market. The tour finished in a shelter for boys who were plucked off the street. It was supported by the tour company and Iqbal and S had both lived there. They were the most amazing boys.
What I really admired was that despite all their stories and experiences on the street, they still had their dreams and aspirations. One boy in particular was very cool, he had grown up in the forest with all the animals, sleeping in trees. He was a real life Mowgli from the Jungle Book. He couldn’t talk, but could make every sound and motion of every animal in the jungle – different sorts of birds, snakes etc. He was amazing.
We met Iqbal and S outside Jain Mandir, which is a massive outdoor temple with a maximum capacity of 25000. The only downside was the 300 idr fee to take in a camera, regardless of whether we used it or not. The boys, who were about my age and had lived on the street, been taken into a shelter and then made it in the big wide world. They took us through the back streets of Old Delhi, showing us Jain, Sihq, Hindu and Buddist temples as well as historical sights such as the first girls high school, an embroidery factory, the house of the last emperor and the spice market. The tour finished in a shelter for boys who were plucked off the street. It was supported by the tour company and Iqbal and S had both lived there. They were the most amazing boys.
What I really admired was that despite all their stories and experiences on the street, they still had their dreams and aspirations. One boy in particular was very cool, he had grown up in the forest with all the animals, sleeping in trees. He was a real life Mowgli from the Jungle Book. He couldn’t talk, but could make every sound and motion of every animal in the jungle – different sorts of birds, snakes etc. He was amazing.
