Just Another Day at the Zoo

 Being in India as a foreigner is sometimes like being a zoo animal.  Everyone wants to know what you ate, if you ate, and if you will eat again.  They want to hear information about what you like and where you are from.  I've considered typing up little information cards to hand out, just to make it easier on everyone.

This time around I somehow feel more at peace with the food and what we are being provided to eat and drink.  Although it isn't what I prefer, I'm perfectly happy to eat it and only supplement with protein bars and things from my suitcase.  

This morning we had the Haldi Ceremony, which is basically prayers said over the groom and lots of other rituals, specifically putting a turmeric mixture on the groom (and sometimes on each other) and then that same mixture is brought over to the brides house and it is put on her as well.  I've always felt that this act was kinda romantic and the sentiment of putting the same thing on the people will be married today is really quite lovely. 

Everyone wears yellow to represent the turmeric. I was not told this the last time so I made sure to have something yellow prepared. 

Because we are part of the groom's family, we are considered in the higher position of the marriage.  Having only attended weddings from the bride's side, I have yet to encounter this kind of treatment.  I was asked today to accompany a group of the groom's elders to go to the bride's house to deliver the turmeric, gifts, and lots of other items.   We were immediately greeted by the bride's family and warmly invited into their home, seated in a comfortable room and given snacks upon snacks.  

We then met the bride, who is lovely by the way, and then had tea and more snacks.  Upon leaving, the Grandma gave us envelopes filled with money.  It was actually pretty fun and exciting.  

We then leave and return to our guest house where the groom insisted on ordering us a pizza.  Who am I to deny him this privilege?  Not gonna lie, this one was delicious tasting pizza. The elders then retire to the backroom to nap. 

Tonight is the wedding.  I'm never quite sure when anything actually starts because the time they tell us is not the actual time it starts, plus nothing here starts on time so I suspect it will be somewhere around 7, but not exactly sure. We are going to go rest for a bit, and then get ready for the wedding.  Can't wait!