It's a Wedding!

You never know when you will get invited to a wedding – spur of the moment invitation. In fact, during dinner!

As I was eating dinner in the downstairs dining room of my hotel, I was rudely assaulted by a loud banging and crashing! Noises that would deafen anyone’s ears. I got up to see what was the matter and coming out of the elevators were drummers beating on metallic drums (sounded much like the banging on garbage cans) and then appeared four young dancing girls all dressed in the most beautiful colors of the rainbow. Their saris, laced with silver and gold, whirled and twirled, glinting off the lights from the hotel lobby.

Following the dancers was a large group of people surrounding a young man dressed in the most elegant Hindu attire I have ever seen. His coat was studded in jewels, stones and beads. His headdress was even more amazing – it was a beautiful jeweled turban that sat on his head like a crown, with chains of flowers and beaded rope serving as a veil covering his face.

Everyone was laughing, happy, excited and getting more excited as the drummers banged on their drums! The dancers danced throughout the lobby while I stood there looking on. I am smiling at the folks, clapping my hands in appreciation of their ceremony when a nicely dressed gentleman in a suit and tie grabs my hand and brings me out into the middle of the lobby to dance with him! He too is wearing a jeweled turban in pink – symbolizing that he is on the groom’s side of the family.

There I am, in boots, jeans and jacket just a dancin’ away – of course I have no clue what I am doing, but I kick my heels up and do a bit of a jig trying to mimic the dancers. The crowd begins moving toward the doors and head outside in the drive thru area of the hotel where a full brass band awaits them and begins playing…. Loudly!!

The young man, I was told, is a groom preparing for his wedding that will take place that evening following the ceremony currently going on. In a Hindu wedding, it is customary for the groom to keep his face veiled until the wedding ceremony. Once in the street, dancers dancing, drums beating and horns blaring, the groom must go to his bride in style – on the back of a beautifully decked out Arabian mare. But first, he must feed the horse till it is full – not sure why, but that is part of the custom.

The horse was as decorated as the groom – its blanket was stone-studded and glittered under the illumination held by “light carriers.” About 10 carriers (people) held globed light fixtures high above their heads, each with four lit globes.

So, I’m standing there at the edge of the street when Prachi, (the hotel’s sales consultant) grabs me and pulls me back onto the parking area. She looks at me and says, “Just wait.”… Within seconds the road explodes with firecrackers shooting everywhere! There is about a 50 ft. strip of firecrackers laid down in the middle of the street and cars are trying to go around the lit and blasting fireworks!

Watching the tuk-tuks (auto rickshaws) and the dump trucks (my hotel is next to a dump truck yard) try to navigate through the throngs of people and the fireworks, was almost funny – reminded me of the Three Stooges!!

But back to the groom, dancers, band and followers. The groom finally feeds the horse until it’s full, and then mounts the horse. Unfortunately, the horse is not cooperating and within seconds, the groom is summarily dumped to the street! This is not the way it’s supposed to happen. He is supposed to ride the horse with his followers merrily dancing and clapping behind him to his bride’s house.

In the meantime, the dancers are dancing in the street (after the fireworks have fizzled out) and gentleman with suit grabs me again to dance in the street! The band is playing a merry jig – of course it’s an Indian jig and I do my best to follow the dancers’ movements. I’m not doing too badly and I sort break out into a Texas two-step and a little line dancing. After all, I am wearing my boots and jeans! The photographers run to where we are dancing and for the next 10 minutes film me and the dancers – I am now the center of attention!

As the crowd begins to move down the street, the groom finds himself in a car with a moon-roof and stands up with his head and shoulders above the car roof. The band continues to play as they begin winding their way toward the bride’s house/hall/event venue where the wedding will take place.

I try to, unobtrusively, dance back to the hotel driveway when I am stopped by not only the gentleman with whom I shared a few steps and kicks, but by the groom’s mother who tells me what a wonderful dancer I am and how happy they were that I joined their party. Then several elderly ladies grab my hands and arms and smile widely saying thank you to me! I’m the one who is honored by them allowing me to be a part of their celebration I tell them! All the wonderful people in the crowd shook my hand and patted me on the shoulder expressing their delight. This was one of the highlights of my adventure without a doubt!

Who knew a Texas gal doing the two-step and boot-scootin’ boogie would add so much fun to a Hindu pre-wedding ceremony?

It’s all about the food

As most of my friends and acquaintances know, I like to eat... I like food! It shows too! So, here I am in the land of Indian spices, aromatic herbs, five day celebrations for everything from a new child, a marriage (which can last up to 10 days I’m told), house warming’s and more and I make a huge discovery!

It’s not so much of a discovery as it is a confirmation that I am a spice wimp! I know, I know, I’m from Texas where TexMex is either hot, hotter or downright head popping! I love a fresh pica de gallo, the onions, the cilantro, tomatoes, even the green chilies! That I can handle…. I don’t do bell peppers, red peppers, jalapeño’s, or chili peppers… ever!

Yet, there is a difference between good old TexMex and Indian food – the real stuff made right here in India! The amount of spices used in almost every Indian dish can be equated to the amount of salt in the Dead Sea! OK, that is a slight exaggeration – but spice wimp can smell the turmeric, coriander, ginger, Aamchur, Garam Masala and other pungent spices from across the street!

However, spice wimp is tasting, learning and actually beginning to enjoy some of the “lighter” Indian dishes. In fact, the other night our chef prepared an incredible dish that I think was called chicken masala. The sauce was absolutely wonderful. The chicken was tender and tasty. But mostly, I loved the sauce over rice. Oh, the rice here is not what we see as rice at home. This rice is longer grained, light, airily fine and ever so delicate.

A week or so ago, there was an ad in the local Indian newspaper (they are all in English BTW) touting a steak dinner that even a Texan would approve of. Well, I took that as a challenge! Donning my jeans, western shirt, gold Texas pendant, my Rodeo earrings and carrying my red and blue purse with the big Texas star on it, I headed for the hotel advertising said steak. Also, you must realize, that beef here in India is almost unheard of – so this was a very special treat-to-be!

The advertisement said it was a wine and steak fest – every steak ordered received a free glass of wine – how could I go wrong? They even were serving baked potato and green beans! Oh my – my heart thrilled at the thought of real Texas food!

When I walked into the dining room, I told the maître de that I had seen his ad, wanted him to know I would be trying his special, and of course I made it very clear that I was from Texas! He sat me down at a lovely table near the window and promptly had wine brought to my table. Yup, it’s beginning to look good here, I thought.

They had five different offerings of steak – very good first impression. I chose the 6 oz. rib eye, medium rare of course with baked potato and green beans. Took my first sip of the “free” wine and, well, let’s just say I asked for the wine list. Now, I am not a true connoisseur – I have many friends who are, including a couple of actual sommeliers who would have spat the first sip on the floor! I found a nice red on the wine list that looked familiar to some I’ve had before – this was a Chilean wine that I knew would be a bit more palatable.

My dinner was delivered to my table in a reasonable amount of time and the presentation was quite nice. My steak was actually cooked to medium rare perfection! I was indeed, surprised and happy. However……………. Yes, there is a “however”… my steak was already sliced for me. Ok, not really a big deal, but come on, who slices my steaks for me? The steak had been generously dipped in the local steak sauce – keep in mind, this is the Indian version of a Texas steak! The baked potato was dry as a bone. I had to request butter. They brought one little square – it was a tiny square. I asked for three more please! I tried to ask for sour cream, but then remembered – it may come as sour milk, so I just had a potato with butter. Actually, the potato also was cooked perfectly. But the green beans – well, folks, from first bite to the last little piece of green on my plate, were simply wonderful! I ate every last bean I could scrape up!

When I finished the meal, the maître de asked me what I thought. He seemed to really want my opinion as a “Texan.” So I told him… first, bring out the butter, grated cheese, sour cream and chives for the baked potato. He said, “Really??? Oh, OK,” nodding his head in a somewhat happy light bulb going on kind of way. Next, said I, the spice wimp yet Texas gourmand (not), never soak your steaks in the local steak sauce before serving them. If we want sauced steaks, we will ask for steak sauce. He actually seemed to appreciate that bit of advice as well.

Then I told him the green beans were fabulous! His face lit up like it was his birthday! I paid my bill, left a generous tip and said, “I’ll be baaaack”!

After eating so much Indian food, I found a McDonald’s at the local mall and if you’ve ever thought you’ve tasted manna from Heaven – my Mickey D’s filet of fish tasted sooooooooo good! The last time I ate at Mickey D’s was more than a year ago…. I don’t eat fast food… but here in India – I LOVE Mickey D’s!! Add to that, that evnr have a KFC… the colonel is alive and well in India and it tastes like fried chicken!

Last night, both head chefs prepared a very special Christmas dinner just for our little ex-pat group. They went over and above every norm they previously had set. It was a five-course meal set pool-side with flowered centerpieces and Christmas carols playing in the back ground. We had shrimp cocktail (a bit different from what we’re used to, but very good nonetheless), the most delicious cream of mushroom soup I’ve ever tasted, a salad, the turkey served with fresh vegetables, potatoes and an Indian version of cranberry sauce, and of course, a wonderful dessert followed by cappuccinos. We ate until we couldn’t move!

Coming next – co-workers, colleagues and its WORK!

The New Chapter

I’ve begun a new chapter in my life – a chapter that if you had told me last year, I would have laughed at the very idea! This is the chapter that tells about a Texas gal heading to the outreaches of the other side of the world – the land of Indians – no, not our American Indians with their beautiful headdresses and teepees in the wilderness – these Indians live in the land of India – half a world away from Texas!

The start of my trip begins with my ride to the airport – it has to start somewhere – what better place to start than from home?

Leaving my pretty little car in the garage, I arrange for a town car to take me to the airport. My driver happens to be Indian.... actually, he was from Bangladesh, which is close. So he's driving like a mad man on the freeways - 80 mph... not that I don't drive ...that fast - but I'm sitting in the back seat hanging on for dear life!! The importance of this will reveal itself soon!

We get to the airport and he drops me off in front of the doors - no problem, except I have two suitcases and my computer case.... not easy to move those things by myself. (Yes I packed everything but the kitchen sink and I did think about packing it too!!) But all is as it should be and going through the international gate is a breeze!

On the flight - Houston direct to Paris, was not too bad.... there was a really cute flight attendant - a young man that I could have taken home and kept for a pet!!! He was precious - but I'm sure his proclivity was toward his own gender. LOL

The lovely attendants put a glass of champagne in my hand way before takeoff, which of course, I am quite prepared to imbibe. I've got first run movies on "my" TV screen, but no popcorn.... dang it!

Dinner soon arrives for those of us in Business/First class (oh yes, striking a pose here LOL), which was absolutely incredible.... sea bass for the entree, sliced duckling for the appetizer, a pre appetizer of baked quail and then for dessert a trio of desserts and raspberry sorbet! How can one refuse such culinary delights? Along with they served an excellent glass of French Merlot.

Decided to try to get some shut- eye and hit the button to lay my seat flat into a bed.... not too bad, but the foot section tilts downward allowing my feet to hang – haven’t quite got the hang of this “bed” chair.

My tray table was having its own issues - it refused to go back into its hole in the side of my seat, and the attendants were unable to repair it as well, so I slept with a tray table over my butt!!! Not the most comfortable night sleeping.

Oh I forgot - they also have little kits with sockies for your feeties - we take our shoes off and wear the sockies provided (Remember – I have grandchildren… so language may be effected). Also provided are eye covers to shut out the light, along with a shoe horn – not sure why I need one, a comb, toothbrush and toothpaste. Of course I have a blanket and a pillow. And, should you ask for something, the attendants are right there with anything and everything you may want – including more wine…. I am SO liking this trip!

my night of slumber would have been bearable even with the tray table over my rear, the tilt of the chair bed and of course my eye cover except for the “bombs”! No, no, not that kind of bomb – the silent kind that attack your nasal sensors – the ones that assault your nose and make you nearly gag. Yes, my restful sleep was assaulted by my seat mates nether regions… it was really, really awful! Just as I would fall into a nice dreamy state – BAM! A bomb would hit… if only I had a plug of some kind!

Finally, just a few hours (maybe two?) later, they wake us serving breakfast. I'm still full from dinner!!! Raspberry crepes with fresh juice, whipped cream, eggs, coffee and more champagne!

A few hours and two movies later and we land in Paris. If you haven’t transferred through Charles de Gaulle airport, you’re in for a strange adventure!