Getting ready for the reception……
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!
