Debi Does Bangalore: Two People I Dont Know Get Married

If there is such a thing as Wedding Season over here, it seems to be in full swing right now. Over the past few weeks, we have been invited to a number of weddings (all of people I know) - but unfortunately, all in far-off places. So when my co-worker Archana invited the entire office to her sister Ashwini's wedding here in Bangalore this weekend, we couldnt say no. It still seems really strange to me that the family members of the wedding couple are not only encouraged but obligated to invite pretty much everyone they know to these affairs. There are always a gazillion people there, and the bride and groom probably know only a handful of people. And then they have to sit up on a stage all night and pose for pictures with all of these unknown, and potentially unattractive strangers! But hey, the food is usually interesting and delicious, AND I get to wear a sari. (As long as my bits are all covered,I can definitely handle a little awkwardness in the name of fashion.) After the wedding, Viny, Tim, and I went to Vaayu for a strawberry hooka, where the locals were audibly amazed at my ability to walk properly in my outfit. I considered enacting a dramatic fall from a flight of stairs complete with "warddrobe malfunction" so that their world would make sense again, but wussed out as usual. Always a next time.

Sneharaj, Srikanth, Vatsalya, Viny, the Bride and Groom, Archana

Prathap, Vatsalya, and Viny

Tim with Archana and Viny

Little boy whose job it is to fling water from that silver thing on to guests as they exit the stage area

Rice, two unidentified creamy things, some pickled okra, gross "manchurian" orange stuff I won't eat, and a gulab jamun-type dessert.

Archana and Vatsalya

Srikanth

Prathviraj and Vuny

Sneharaj, Prathap, Srikanth

So not into it

Little boy who kept oogling me, and was thus punished with physical contact and a photo op. His friends were way impressed by his encounter with a "firengi"

We were instructed to strike a Bollywood movie poster-esque pose here. I dont know why my hair looks two-toned. My camera definitely does not handle ultra-flourescent lighting very well.

Wedding going on directly across the street. We considered crashing, but the Tequila Bloody Mary's at Vaayu were calling me. Did I mention that there is typically no alcohol at these events?