Hannah’s Weblog

After the Mehendi on Thursday, I decided it would make sense to stay at my anutie Fee’s place, as I was going to be getting ready there on Friday anyway. They kindly gave up their room and me and my cousin shabnam shared their comfy double bed. I slept so well, and shab leaving for her exam at 8 didn’t even wake me…. The day was all about getting ready for the reception (the most formal of the marriage ceremonies) A huge hall is hired, decorated and used to feed the 5000…literally! Biriani is cooked in abundance and served to all the Tom, dick and Harry’s that my family know. It is a wonderful event though, as I get to wear a sari and spend lots of time with my ever growing family. Shab and I caught the bus into the capital Port louis, as she needed a necklace and earings to go with her new sari. We wandered around the bustling city, taking in all the delicious smells of street food, markets overflowing with glistening fresh produce and the mayhem of Mauritian traffic! We found what we were looking for, easily as the shops selling dress jewellery sell every single colour you can imagine. All shimmering in their rows, and glass cabinets. It sure is an expensive business attending a wedding, having to buy new outfits for all of the 5 events, then accessorizing with bracelets, necklaces and earings, oh and shoes!

After finding what we were looking for, we caught the bus back to their flat, and found aunty Fee had been busy preparing us our lunch. She had gone to the hairdressers but had left us lentils, rice, salad and some yummy fried chicken! Mmmmmmmm… we ate, then started changing our nail varnish from pink (which matched the outfit from Thursday, to bronze, which went with my green and bronze sari. At 1.30 we walked to the hairdressers, Shab was having her hair done. I sat and watched, as people came and went. I nodded off in the increasingly hot and humid afternoon. Amazed at how many people came in to have their afro’s straightened, only to go back out in the heat and let it frizz……..

By the time we got back, it was time to start getting ready. Saleem was asleep, and my uncle Isoop had been back and then gone again to a meeting. Aunty fee had ironed all our saris and placed them out on the bed, along with all our jewellery. I straightened my hair and did my make-up, and was told I must wear foundation. This is something I am not use to, but followed my instructions and tried to make myself into the ideal wedding guest. Shab was using the dressing table mirror, I was using the full length, Fee was fussing around making sure we had everything we needed, uncle Isoop had returned, changed into his vest and casual trousers, and lounged himself on the bed. He proceeded to tell my auntie all about his meeting, as we continued to get ready. It was an organized caos, but i thoroughly enjoyed the madness. Auntie then helped dress me in my sari, first i put on my shoes, then a thin underskirt which must be pulled tight as this is what the rest of the material is positioned around. the length is set, and ensured that the beading on the sari will be at the correct place. It is wrapped around, tucked in, pleated and arrange effortlessly, but for me with the aid of a few safety pins! et voila! c’est fini! jolie sa! I am done…..next is Shabnam’s, and finally Fee dresses herself. Uncle Isoop and Saleem wait until we are ready, then they get themselves sorted! (genious idea as then their waiting time is minimised.) They are obviously used to all of this! We are ready, but running late!

So!! I have been here in Ile Maurice for four days now! My flight was delayed so bless Joey and Dan for waiting so patiently for me at the airport. I was so excited sat on the plane, smiling to myself, dying to get my feet onto the Mauritian soil. I queued in the Mauritian passport holders queue, and now have my first stamp in my Mauritian passport . It felt a little like coming home, which is a crazy feeling that I really like. We made our way to the beach, and the boys had told mum and dad they were going off to watch a sunrise (which incidentally doesn’t occur until 7 ish !) But mum had been very suspicious about their behaviour, and although she had no idea that it was connected to me in any way she knew something was going on……. We arrive in Grand Baie, they had phoned mum and dad and got them to meet us at sunset cafe. As we approached I felt sick with nerves/anticipation etc…..then I caught a glimpse of them on the beach, so I dived behind a wall!! It was crazy! as they made their way up the steps, Joey was recording them and said that they had a surprise, mum said “I know” (but didn’t know it was me) And \i jumped out! Mum just started crying and din’t really say much at first, my dad’s reaction was classic, he stepped back a few paces in shock, and said “Bloody Hell Hannah!!” It was wicked!!!!!!

And the surprises haven’t stopped there! I surprised my auntie Fee and Uncle Isoop and my cousins at their flat, my auntie was sooooo happy to see me, it was lush! She has lent me 3 outfits for the wedding celebrations, she is soooooo generous and kind, lending me all the accessories to go with each one! I will wear a green sari on Friday I CAN’T WAIT!!! last night was the Mehendi, so we all got dressed up and went over to Port Louis. It was a surprise for all my family to see me, and so lovely as they are all so happy to see me. We have many men in our family, so having another girl around is great for them! My auntie Shireen was so shocked to see me, I will go and spend a weekend with her soon, to spend some time with her and my uncle Ahmed. They were also impressed that I had dressed up, and everyone says I look more and more Mauritian….

It’s so nice being surrounded my so many people that you love and love you. It makes me realise how important family are. I have been thinking about how much i miss out on here, living in England. Especially the younger ones, as I only come out here every few years, they change and grow so much every time I see them! i must admit I really feel like I belong here, it’s strange as life here couldn’t be more different than England. I am so English in so many ways, yet part of me longs to be Mauritian…..

Tonight is the Nikkah, where all the men go to the mosque and we go to Anessa’s house (the girl my cousin is marrying) I am going to wear a pink turi dalh, baggy trousers that go in at the bottom, with a long sleeved tunic over the top. Lat night I wore a orange and yellow one. Have you seen bend it like beckham? the movie? The wedding is slightly different, but that kind of thing! It’s such an experience. Last night we all went to my antie and uncles first, and kinda just hung around for ages, then there are lots of gifts, beautiful saris, jewellery, shoes, make up, perfume ets all glamourously wrapped in exquiste packages and presentation boxes.I carried a plate of cakes, wrapped in gold shiffon, It was quite heavy! then we all piled ino cars, and in convoy drove around to the corner hazard lights flashing, horns beeping. When we arrive all the women, holding the gifts line up outside Anessa’s parents house. Now they always do the same. They block the road between their house and nextdoor turning it into a huge hall. Anessa sitting on the stage at the far end, with rows of chairs where we sit. We take the gifts to the front, and sit for about an hour. food is handed out and an India band played music. there are fairy lights flashing everywhere! It’s insane!!Then Anessa changes into the new clothes which we took, more photos and food. Then we go back to my anutie and uncles, and her side of the family come over for more food, sitting and talking. Shakeel (my cousin) doesn’t go to Anessa’s house, and she doesnt come to my aunti and unles house. They don’t even see eachother! It’s all about the family and guests!!!