Last Saturday we went with the whole family to Gyanendra’s sister in Panauti to enjoy a lazy Saturday-afternoon. We were sitting in the sun, playing cards, football,... We also had very tasty food before everybody went back home. Nowadays, we are busy in the wedding-preparations for Dharmendra (Gyanendra’s youngest brother) and Kanchana (starting from tomorrow). The invitation-cards are being distributed by all brothers. Different than in Belgium: just a few days before the wedding and all brought personally, not via post. Monday was also a very important day: we went to the house of Kanchana, with lots of gifts (mostly food / sweets), to ask permission for the wedding. But first we had samya baji (the traditional newari dish) at home, to bring us good luck. Zoe and the others sisters (in law) were dressed in ... read more

Back in Nepal. Finally, we could see eachother again... Gyanendra was already in Nepal since October 18th, Zoe arrived last Sunday (November 25th). Gyanendra came in the airport, together with almost the whole family, and gave Zoe a warm welcome. Zoe was the last one who arrived and made the family complete (after 5 years): from Australia, USA and Europe, all brothers travelled back home for the wedding of Dharmendra (the youngest brother) and the Bel Bibaha of Seelvia (the youngest kid in the family). For a few days, we were hanging around, preparing for the festivities,... For example: going to the jewellery-shop with the jewels Zoe used for the wedding 2 years ago, and changing them for more shiny and new jewels (that fit for the coming festivities). Nepal seems very chaotic, but nothing is ... read more

As we promised last time, we will tell you more about Tihar, the festival that took place from 4th to 7th of november. On fifth, there was Laxmi-puja. Everybody burns lots of oil-candles (and nowadays also more and more colorful electric lights, like we use in Christmas-time) around the house. This happens when sun is going down so it creates a very nice atmosphere in the city. In the same time, girls are dressed up and go dancing and singing in front of shops, so they will receive some money and sweets. We also made a nice colorful flower in front of the house, and a line going inside the house. This because Laxmi (the goddess) can find the way to our moneybag (people believe that she will come either to take money, or to bring ... read more

The 3th day of our wedding, there was a big party (for about 700 people) in the evening. But in the morning, we were also busy: there was another program at Gyanendra's, to introduce Zoe to his family. First there was a small program (Lakha Mata) with the priest. The priest was blessing us for a healthy and succesfull long term relationship. Besides that, 125000 candle-threats were blessed. Those were made by Gyanendra's mother, to burn in this special day. After this, all Gyanendra's family members came for another nut ceremony (like there was in the 2nd day for Zoe's family). One by one they greated us, gave some money and received the nuts. When everybody had done this, we could start another parade to the temple. The candle-threats were carried, a music band was joining ... read more

Because there is so much to tell and to show about our wedding and because every day was so different, we will write and show pictures day by day. So we will start by the first day, the Swaymber-day, the day that we celebrated at the temple. After getting dressed at the temple, together with Eline and many other family-members, it started by Zoe who had to make three rounds around the place of the celebration, where were sitting Gyanendra's parents and the priest. This happened by carrying the garlands for Gyanendra, follewed by putting the garlands around his neck. Gyanendra soon did the same (except making the rounds), and also had to put a golden hanger. This was followed by exchanging the wedding-rings. After that, Gyanendra had to put coloured powder in Zoe's hair. In ... read more