The Big Event

August 24, 2002

Finally it was time for the big celebration. Prithi and her husband came to the hotel to pick up me and Carsten. Karen's mother had presented me with a beautiful mint-green, 2-piece dress to wear and it fit perfect!

With Prithi ...

... and her Husband

This time we drove not in a taxi or riksha, but in a decorated car. First we were taken to Karen's house where she was anxiously awaiting us. WOW!  She was soooo beautiful! Her wedding dress she had designed herself and it was just marvelous! Last detail were taken care of, then off we went to the school hall where the party was to take place.

last touches

After arriving at the hall, I went in with the others, but Carsten and Karen had to wait outside. The hall was nicely decorated. There was a huge buffet set up and music was being played by 2 disc-jockeys.

Slowly the ballroom filled with the rest of the guests. Then the wedding march was played and the couple made their grand entrance.

In the middle of the room was a small table with the wedding cake. Carsten and Karen cut the cake while small balls of styroform rained like snow flakes from a turning gadget above their heads.

After that, the couple had their first dance. Poor Carsten had been fearing this first dance almost more then anything else! But I must admit, he didn't do bad at all! All that worry for nothing, heehee.

There was lots of dancing, including a grand march led by the bridle couple (all you square dancers know what I'm talking about). I almost sank into the floor when the last song was played: it was the "Enten Tanz" (Duck dance)!! At 10 p.m.sharp a gong sounded and the music had to stop. I thought it was because of the noise such a party makes, but I found out later it was because of the Cashmir crises and to avoid any large gatherings to attract unwanted attention. We continued eating and enjoying the great hospitality until the second gong went off at 11 p.m., then the party had to disperse. We slowly left the hall and got into various cars, taxi's and riksha's. In the mean time it was rainy and stormy (monsoon season). At the hotel we had arranged for me to have a single room so that the new couple could have a room of their own. It was hard to find room for all of the flowers they'd received!. All in all, it had been a great party!