Wedding!

---

We had our alarms set for 5:30a....but the hotel called at 4:30am for no reason (other than to tell me what time it was). I thanked them and hung up...and they called back! This hotel is crazy. We got up, got ready, and got to the church. Karen came, and kneeled down outside where everyone older than her blessed her and wished her well. She was a mix of east and west in a beautiful saree but with a tiara and long veil. The ceremony was quick and then we went to her parent's place for some breakfast. Amyn (Indian friend from back home who is from India and came for the wedding) joined us and it was nice to have someone to talk and ask questions too (even though he knew no answers!). Then we got taken to a hotel for another ceremony, presentation and lunch. Karen and Kaushik then had a Hindu wedding (or at least did some traditional things and games). Karen and Kaushik then gave a lengthy slideshow chronicling their growing up and meeting each other, engagement, etc. It was fun to see photos of them before we knew them. Lunch was good and then we went back to hotel for a much wanted nap. In the evening we were picked up again and taken to the reception at another hotel...in a big room. There were hundreds of people there and Karen and Kaushik had to stand on a stage and greet and take a photo with everyone. We had to wait in a line to see them briefly, and they already looked tired by the time we saw them. They served us a very good dinner (which we ate solely with our hands for the first time) and came back to the hotel. Amyn, Adam and I went next door to a bar for some beer -- Kingfisher Strong. It was good beer. The bar was pretty sketchy though. There was a roach or two (little ones) on the wall, and Adam and Amyn actually ate the boiled peanuts they gave us. The whole day was good. It was interesting to see how a different culture celebrates and Karen looked beautiful in all of her outfits. She had 5 in 2 days!

Tomorrow we get up early (8am or so) to hang out with the Indian Santa Cruz Gang (all people Adam knows from his graduate school who are from India). Just 2 days left in India. I can't believe our trip is almost done. It's been great so far, and I keep finding places I want to come back and visit.

---

Photos

Wedding #1
Adam and Me (the white people), Priya, Karen, Kaushik, some guy, and Chandu.

Wedding #2
Us again (plus Amyn - the tall guy) in the early afternoon.

Adam & I
Us in the evening in our smashing outfits.