Few things....

During my last 3 weeks here in India I've encountered a few things I'd like to share. Some are new to me and some I just have to blog about...

A head shake in a horizontal direction (notably a NO shake) can mean many things. It can me yes (usually does), it can me no, it can mean "How are you?" "Fine, thanks." "It's hot outside." "My son just graduate with honors from college." This is a fine art of communication, you'll never experience anything quite like it.

Hospitality here is phenomenal. The women of the house are educated early on how to be a good hostess. Water is brought out on a tray as soon as you arrive to cool you down from you journey to their home. This follows with an array of snacks, tea and/or soda. Any need you may have will be taken care of. And don't even think about helping yourself, it will be served for you. Smiles will always greet you and imposing is not a word known here. People stop by like on an episode of "Friends," except anyone is always welcome at any time.

Doorbells will ring as early as 7AM here.

Milk comes from a cow into cannister and then positioned on a bicycle and then brought to your door. (Note I didn't say pasturized.)

All dishes are metal.

The first time you enter someone's home you are given a gift or an envelope of money. I like this one!

Highchairs are not a common usage for feeding small children, this is done by negotiation and chasing. Hmm.

His parents have soap on a rope at the sink. It is shaped like a fish :)

Instead of saying "Don't worry!" They say "Don't take tension!"

Your newly developed health aliments are up for discussion at the dinner table with strangers.

Doctors still make house calls.

Commericals are bad here just like the US.

Soap operas have long pauses and camera angle changes to draw out air time just like the soaps in the US.

Cookies are called biscuits.

Chickens here are extremely organic. They weight about a 1/3 of a chicken back home. Eggs are also not refridgerated.

People here have strong religious values and extreme respect for thier elders.

All buildings are made of concrete.

Street food is a culinary art form. I will watch this, but will not eat it.

Trains carry passengers inside and on top.

Traffic laws don't really apply here. You go where you fit and everyone has the right of way. You become religious on the streets of Mumbai in an autorickshaw... "Oh God! Oh God!"

There are few stop lights and even fewer street signs.

Freckles are a spectacle.

You can introduce yourself, but don't expect the same in return, but you may get a smile.

Police officers do not carry firearms. Just a stick.

Hotel security is tight since the bomb blasts last year. They have armed guards, dogs, gates, metal detectors, and scanners.

Resturants are called hotels.

Country clubs double as hotels.

There is about 1 stray dog for every 6 people here in Mumbai.

If you don't give the slum kids money they may spit at you or throw something at you. If you don't give them enough, they ask for more. Whatever happened to beggers can't be choosy?

Cricket is huge here, the stadiums are filled with wild fans. The catch is that most of the fans are sober!

News consists of celebrity reports, politics, and cricket scores. The US does the same.

Any place of business has someone to open the door.

There are only two seasons here, wet and dry. I see only one, SUPER FREAKING HOT!!!

My lovely bridal party

I was so lucky to adopt two wonderful sisters during this trip. My sister had two friends come along on this journey. Tascha, a friend she met in D.C. came from Brussels and Melissa, a friend from Savannah also came. They were both a delight. They were so gracious to my in-laws, never complained about a language barrier, and were so happy during every event. They came with curiosity and smiles. It was so nice to see two people I barely knew so excited about my wedding and wanting to learn about my husband's culture. Thanks ladies!

My sister flew for over 2 days from Alaska and my mother came from Columbia, SC to be here. My sister and mother fulfilled many duties during all the ceremonies, many of which were unknown to them before. Even if they didn't understand (my wonderful husband did his best to explain every detail) they did all that they were asked. I love you Mama! I love you too Buttface!

They were all lovely and wonderful to have here!

Reception April 1st

The reception followed the wedding. We had a few hours to change and rest before the work started again. My beautician arrived again, this time there was no time to fix the mistakes, oh well. I was painted up and dressed again. Suketu arrived in his tuxedo - WOW! We went back to the same hall where it had been redecorated. We sat on the stage and greeted about 400 guests. Normally it would be twice this amount, but the bride only brought 4 people. They come to the stage, wish you best of luck, hand over a gift, and then pose for pictures. The pictures I of course smile for. After a few hundred, my mouth was really hurting. Then I remember, most Indians don't smile in photos. Sure enough, as we have looked through them, Suketu and I are the only ones smiling. Odd.
After all the pictures are taken we make our way downstairs of the meal. We are seated seperate. Finally, food and a chair! A fan was found for me and then it began. Each dish of the meal had its own waiter and then there were about 3 supervisors. The service was phenomenal. It was a buffet for everyone else. When I said I liked one of the sweets and man snapped his finger, another ran into the kitchen, and a young boy stumbled out catching his hat and rushed to me with a cashew roll filled with fig.
After the reception we went home and changed. His friends treated us to a night in the J.W. Marriot in Juhu, a subarb nearby. This place was awesome, 5 star. The next morning we had the breakfast buffet and I finally got brewed coffee!! Only people from India can understand this. No more nescafe in milk!

Delays

Sorry folks about the delay in posts. It has been quite busy here, getting married, meeting guests constantly, site seeing, surviving the heat, and taking my second course of antibiotics has kept me away from the blog. The pictures finally arrived a few hours ago and hopefully I'll be able to upload more. I'm having a great time but am excited about coming home!

Shaadi

The day started like any other wedding day. I was nervous, excited, scared, happy, and crunched for time. My beautician arrived on time (this is rare in India) and I was thrown into the chair by 3 ladies. I was strapped in and then she began to pray. I was a little nervous about this considering she was the professional, but what choice did I really have. I've never worn so much make-up in all my life. This time she used mine and I wasn't orange! By the time we were on my hair, I was quiet and ready to kill anyone that spoke to me. My sister caught my eye and vacated everyone from the room. She does know me after all! She wrapped my saree, applied my jewelry, and applied the hair piece (apparently Indian brides need long hair) and head gear. I made my way down to the car and off we went!

"Jaldi jao!" I kept saying this to Prakash, our driver, since he didn't understand "Hurry the crap up!" As we arrived at the hall we were instructed to wait for the procession. The groom and his party arrived in a procession or "Baarat." This was amazing. A marching band comes down the street playing music followed by family dancing and singing. The groom stays in the vehicle during all this. Fireworks go off when the groom steps out. I went up and danced with the procession along with my sister. The adrenaline was pumping, everyone was so happy and it was so much fun!

Suketu greeted me at the gate. I placed a garland of flowers over his head but not before the groom's party lifted him up in the air. Since the brides party was only women, his cousin's hoisted me up so I could do it. Then came the nose game. Apparently the bridal party is supposed to pull on Suketu's nose. My sister, the competition freak, loved this game. Instead of pulling on his nose, she managed to scratch his face up even while his party was protecting his face. Way to go Christina.

As we entered the hall I was seated away. The bride's part comes later. My mother and sister walked Suketu down the aisle and then needed to perform a "Puja." A Puja is a religious ceremony involving Lord Ganesh. Lord Ganesh is the God of Prosperity in the Hindu religion. After several rituals were performed I was allowed to accompany to groom. We followed suit with more Pujas and offerings and of courses blessings. Suketu was kind enough to explain everything the priest was saying so I could understand. There was such beauty behind this ceremony. And after a few walks around the fire and being pelted with marigolds, we were married, again! I love you Suketu!!!

Sangeet March 31st

On the 2nd day of ceremonies, there is a Sangeet in the evening. Sangeet in hindi, means music. The Sangeet function is where the music and dancing happen. We had a live band who did a wonderful job. However, they sang and did all the talking in Gujrati. I don't know any, I only know some hindi, therefore I was totally lost! It was fun though. Indians can break it down. Talk about some dancing and partying. People were on the dance floor nonstop. I got to see Suketu interact with his family and see a different side of him. He was glowing. Following the ceremony there was more food again. Around 10PM when we were taking pictures a loud bell went off and I immediately thought of a fire alarm. Myself and Melissa jumped up and started towards the door when we realized no one was moving. I did not want to be on CNN in a stampede of a fire in Mumbai, but couldn't understand why no one was concerned about the impending fire. When the alarm went off I was told that it was just an alarm to say your rented time in the facility is over. I was then told most buildings in India do not have fire alarms or sprinklers - note the horror coverage on CNN of schools burning down to the ground. It would also explain the reason I saw absolutely no firetrucks or stations here.

Check back soon for pictures, they are on several cameras I still need to get a hold of.

March 30th Mehendi

The Mehendi or Henna ceremony occurs 2 days before the Shaadi or Wedding. This is performed on all the women in the wedding if they want it. The bride has the most and is the most intracate. Then follows the sisters of the groom, the mother of the groom, relatives of the bride, and then other friends and family. Henna is an organic mixture (of something - don't ask me) and acts like a temporary tatoo on your skin lasting about 10 days. It gets darker for the first 2 days and then fades with water usage. The darker it is, the more your husband loves you. It takes 3 or more hours to have it applied. The bride gets it done from hands to elbows and feet to midcalf or knee. You must sit without moving or bending for several more hours. This is where the men come into play. They must serve the women this day. Since most of them are helpless, it is kinda funny. Suketu had to feed me and was basically shoveling food into my mouth faster than I can chew. When I asked for more food later, I was give a pathetic excuse. But then his mama yelled at him and I was fed again - thanks Mama Shah! There is also a game to be played. The artist will hide the groom's name within the design and if he cannot find his name he must present his bride with a gift. Suketu of course did not find his name, but I am still waiting for my gift...

Check back soon for pictures!