Wedding this weekend

I was at a wedding this week end it was quite an unusual experience. It was the first time I attended a Sikh wedding and my friend Kamal gave me a Sari to wear. Many times I closed my eyes and whispered a prayer for the couple to come to know the love of God in full intimacy with Jesus. As I approached the temple I was a little intimidated with the circle of men in black with red hankies wrapped around their heads. Not many wore turbans. Fortunately Kamal had her phone of vibrate and she came to rescue me and guide me in to the boys side (the grooms side) .I was in awe of the dazzling colors, extravagant silks with lots of bling, bling , bling! I starred at young man with a scarlet turban and decorations whom she informed me was the groom and the lady across, was beaming and highly decorated with jewels on her forehead and I took her tattooed hand in mine and thanked her for allowing me to share the celebration with her and continued babbling as I told her she was the first Sikh bride I had ever met! She let me know that she was not the "bride" just a sister in law to the groom and the wedding planner. Blush. Oh well, she really was gorgeous. The room smelled of warm curry and spices as we were ushered on up to the "great hall" where we would sit on the floor in our bare feet waiting for the long ceremony to begin. Children giggled and whined and ran wildly around the room, crossing from the boys side (where all the men sat) to the girls side (where we were) this proved to be a bit of a game with the parents caught in the middle (like Keep a Way)...or catch me if you can! Smile.
Other sights and sounds: arms with bracelets to the elbow, making tinkling sounds every where, sons leaning back sleeping on their proud fathers chests, girls dancing around the room with silk scarfs flowing, strangers and non Indian folk trying to keep the scarf on their head (including men) line up of people paying tribute, and filling a trough at the front with money and gifts. A Bible being fanned with a large white plume, and what seemed like an eerie sad sounding music from strange instruments and drums. Every one seemed so sad. The processional started at last, my back was starting to ache and their are only so may ways to sit with your legs under you until they cramp. We, the non Indian, were out of shape, they sat cross legged and seemed quite comfortable...even the grannies! The brides maids wore gold and green, the bride wore green, and wedding party was followed by large groups of people, family and friends I assume. They couple sat on the floor cross legged and got up and walked in a circle four different times. There was no 'now you may kiss the bride" but she was tenderly passed along by the male attendees from one to the other and to the groom, whom she followed obediently behind holding on to his coat tail, or so it looked. And he carried a red sack, apparently with a coconut in it so that if she wasn't pleasing him he could crack her on the head with it. Seems a little brutal however I am not sure if the person telling me that was kidding or not. I was naive enough to believe it, but now as I think about it no doubt it was probably jewels or money??
The evening celebration and the dinner following the wedding and the other 3 days of celebrating are for another blog! Pictures to follow.#end