Wedding Party

On Sunday I night I had the privilege of attending a wedding party. The wedding was on Friday (different wedding then I attended on Friday) and this party was sort of equivalent to a reception however it was just for ladies.

I had no idea of the dress code, so when I met up at my friend’s home in a long black skirt and a sparkly top and headscarf I had rummaged together, I was quickly told that I was not nearly fancy enough. Getting dressed up is not something I had planned for in Africa, an evening gown was not on my packing list.

The friend that I attended the wedding party with is almost a foot shorter than me and very petite. So I thought was just about hopeless when she said I could borrow her dress. The dress ended up reaching the floor and she found a pair of her mother's heels to replace my flipflops. In no time they had me presentable to attend the celebration.

The party took place at a school that was equipped with a generator so there were little twinkling lights everywhere. It was weird seeing so many lights when everyplace else has been so dark. And there were even speakers for the singers. My eyes and ears were in shock from the light and sound.

The majority of the night, when a song began the ladies would go to the front to dance and then return to their seats as the song ended. When the next song began they would return to the front to dance. Dancing consisted of waving money or the flowers that we were given when we entered while remaining fairly stationary just slightly shifting from foot to foot.

The bride was not present for most of the party. She arrived about 45 minutes before it ended. After she arrived the stage opened up into a Cinderella dollhouse looking stage.

After midnight, as we were leaving, we each were presented with a gift bag that contained dinner to take home.

There are sure a lot of parties here. It is great for meeting new people and connecting with their families. I’m so out of my element.