A trip to the snow and a wedding

Greetings!

It's been a very long but very good weekend. There was no school on Thursday and Friday so that wedding preparations could take place, so we've had plenty of time to chill (or rather, help out).

On Thursday, Celia was unfortunately not very well, so I had a trip out without her. Buangpuii's family were taking a trip up to the snow line at Rohtang, and I was invited along. We left just after 8 in the morning, and didn't return until 4. But it was a really enjoyable day and they were all really friendly. I sat on a yak, enjoyed watching them fall over on skis and learnt some interesting things about Mizoram. Oh and with my first step onto the snow, I sank right up to my knee! Typical!

Friday, we spent the whole day helping to decorate DUF in preparation for the wedding. The archway was covered in ferns, and then hundreds of roses made from tissue paper were employed in the decoration of the main hall and the church. We also helped to make a banner, and made friends with the visiting Canadian friends and family members of Wayne. In the evening, we attended the traditional ceremony from Mizoram (the state Buangpuii and most of the staff come from) at which Wayne had to officially 'buy' Buangpuii from her family for the princely sum of 420 rupees! The money was then divided between the bride's family, which included her 'sisters' from the home, who thereby made a commitment to always be there for her. It was really sweet.

On Saturday, there were a few last minute preparations, like helping to cut vegetables to feed 300 people etc, and then Celia and I put on our fabulous Mizo skirts which are like very long, very warm sarongs. The girls all told us how pretty we looked, but we were nothing in comparison to the really cute flower girls, the bridesmaids and of course Buangpuii who was absolutely stunning. We travelled to the church in the jeep with Buangpuii and her bridesmaids (Sangteii drove the jeep in her posh frock, quite an amusing sight) and were treated as close members of the family throughout, which was really lovely.


Back at DUF, we had tea and biscuits, and then the program began up in the hall, with all the dance practice the kids have been doing for weeks finally coming together, and many speeches from various family members etc. It was dark by the time we made our way out for dinner, and Celia and I insisted on being allowed to help serve water (the only thing they'd let us do, despite the fact we were to consider ourselves 'family' and the rest of the family were working) before eating. The food was really good; spicier than everyday food here; and we ate with a couple of the older boys and KK, who we'd met and was helpful in Delhi!

It was easily the most enjoyable weekend we've had so far, and everyone made us feel really welcome, whether they knew who we were or not! There are only 58 days left here, and I'm really starting to feel sad whenever I think about leaving this family.

TTFN