Day 27: The Wedding

          Today I was forced to go to a wedding, despite the fact that it was not my own!  I tried everything, even caching pneumonia myself, to no avail...
          The day started bright and sunny, me peacefully unaware of my pending engagement.  I went out in service with my Mjomba John (the Elder), and his son and daughter, Junior and Upendo.  We looked for anyone who might know English, students (who have to learn it in school), business owners (it's useful to know), and foreigners (like myself).  After service and lunch, I went back to John/s house and hung out for a little while before Upendo took me home.
          In Tanzania there is no coordinated DalaDala system.  Instead a bunch of independent van owners drive as fast and as crazily as they can along mysterious but predetermined routes, racing each other to get the most customers.  Upendo took me back to Karibu Home on one of these.  It wasn't all that bad really, other than being very crowded.  And we didn't die (always a plus).
          Back at Zara's, I showed Upendo around and tormented - I mean entertained - her.  Then I found out about The Wedding.  I didn't know the people who were getting married (distant relatives through Zara), and I knew that if I went, I wouldn't get back home till midnight.  I was tired of getting home late, and would have like nothing more than to stay behind.  So I did everything I could think of to not go.  I hid in my room.  I didn't put on a tie.  I even tried to catch pneumonia by walking Upendo back out to the road in the rain.  By the time I got back to Karibu home, I wasn't sick (it was barely sprinkling), and everyone was ready to go.  Defeated, I grabbed a tie and went.
          The wedding was already over by the time we got there (which was not my fault, everyone else wasn't ready to go on time), and the reception was in full swing.  It wasn't all that bad.  We were able to get a table away from the speakers (I hate loud music, a trait I recently learned I got from my baba).   There was a live band and an acrobatic group (yes, I got video, and no you can't see it.  It's unlikely I'll find internet fast enough to upload it before I get back to the States).  One of the coolest parts was when the Masai brought the Bride and Groom to the feast.
          Dressed in ceremonial attire, the Bride and Groom were led in a parade of singing Masai.  Once in the middle of the dance floor, they formed a circle and did singing and dancing.  It was all very cool, and I wish could see it, but you can't.  And don't ask why (on a completely unrelated topic, does anyone have any file recovery programs?  I used one once for some files I deleted on past computer of mine...).
          The Groom, ????????????????, was considerably older than the Bride, ?????????????????/.  I found that they had meet when the groom, a Mzungu, visited Tanzania from Germany with a friend.  While he was waiting in the airport to go back home, he happened to see ????????????????? waiting there as well.  One thing led to another (as they always do), and a year and a half later I was dragged to their wedding.
          As I predicted, I didn't get to bed till after midnight.  However, for a wedding that was mostly lost to me (there was a little English, but not much), I had a pretty good time.  I guess it's always good to give things a try (words I will probably come to regret.  Oh well.).


E’ya! - Tate


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