Nepal is politically unstable and at this time of year every year people call bandhs. A bandh is where the streets and shops are closed by a group of people who want to state their point - prime minister should resign (very frequent), the constitution should be written to suit a political or ethnic group better, someone should be released from jail (even if they are guilty), a cow was murdered... If you drive/open your shop... it can get taken/torched/vandalized.....
On Wednesday I was told that a groom had been found for our good friends neice (who is really a daughter to them) on the previous Monday and that the engagement party was going to be on Friday. However, if there was a bandh it would be on Monday. The schools were all shutting so we decided that it wouldn't be on. However, our friends prayed all night and then rang me at 6am on Friday (my nepali isn't great at that time of the morning!) to say 'make a cake, we are going at 9am as the bandh is OFF in Pokhara (the rest of Nepal was closed)'.
We got onto the bus with the cake in tow and off we went to a small and lovely town about 1 hour from Pokhara. The women went straight into the kitchen and prepared a feast of dahl bhaat while the bride to be got her sari all ready.
The church service started with a song before the person co-coordinating it answered his phone and talked in front of us all - if he hung up he will have to ring back which would use his credit! Happens in church all the time!
The sermon was followed in which they were talking about how it is important to know your partner and not to rush into a marriage. Presents were exchanged between the bride and groom - bride got an engagement ring and the groom got clothes.
We prayed for the couple....
Then the date was set - for 9 days time. That is slow for Nepal. The bride and groom barely talked to each other the whole time and prior to the party had talked in a group of people and prayed for 2 hours. I know it isn't my culture but for me that is quick!!
Followed by dhal bhaat...
Now, there are frantic preparations for the wedding which is next Sunday. Saris, meat, rice... is being bought - bring on next Sun!
On Wednesday I was told that a groom had been found for our good friends neice (who is really a daughter to them) on the previous Monday and that the engagement party was going to be on Friday. However, if there was a bandh it would be on Monday. The schools were all shutting so we decided that it wouldn't be on. However, our friends prayed all night and then rang me at 6am on Friday (my nepali isn't great at that time of the morning!) to say 'make a cake, we are going at 9am as the bandh is OFF in Pokhara (the rest of Nepal was closed)'.
We got onto the bus with the cake in tow and off we went to a small and lovely town about 1 hour from Pokhara. The women went straight into the kitchen and prepared a feast of dahl bhaat while the bride to be got her sari all ready.
The groom to be....
And the bride to be...
Now, there are frantic preparations for the wedding which is next Sunday. Saris, meat, rice... is being bought - bring on next Sun!
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