Day 5

Wedding day was upon us today. It was quite eventful and very Russian/Armenian. I haven't been to many weddings, but the ones with my family in Russia and the bomb diggity yea. They really went all out this year. Since we still adhere to our Armenian Roots, we represent the age old traditions to the fullest. It just wouldn't be the same without them. The wedding had about 50 people in total, so it wasn't the biggest but it was really great. 3 photographers and one cameraman captured all the action, as well as me with my Iphone taking amateur pics, some candid, some posed. I mainly just waited for the pros to ask the people to pose and then snapped my photos (fotki)

It went a little something like this. We gathered at my Uncle's place and adorned the vehicles in ribbons to mimic the Armenian flag. Red blue orange. They were attached to the hood of car, it looked good. Then, we took the caravan to the bride's place, the older women got out and danced the Armenian dance, don't know what it's called. They basically put hatchapuri (cheesy flaky bread) over their heads all wrapped up nice and twirled around while the Peugeot 308 played Armenian music. They danced behind the car all the way to the front door of her apartment building. The younger women took the trays into the apartment. Then we all piled into the stairwell and made our way up to the top. Once at her house, we drank the bubbly and listened to some toasts given by Sergey's parents for Yulia's mother and grandmother. After some sweet treats we proceeded back down.

My sister and I got to sit in the stretch hummer. That was a first for me. There was plenty of champagne for all of us to last the whole trip. It is tradition in the city to visit landmarks. Interestingly, there were about 80 wedding going on at the same time in the city, and this happens on a weekly basis. We traveled around, got out at different places and took pictures. A lot of the time we waited around for the bride and groom to do their thing with the photographers. Then, as we were leaving the park and the church, there was a downpour and everyone got soaked. Pretty bad, but at that point no one cared. Plus, rain when beginning a trip, including a new life being married, is good luck in Russia. Once the pictures were done, it was time to head over to the restaurant. It was definitely a swanky place, with a children's playground, a stage outside and inside for music and dancing, and a full bar. This wedding was different than before because the bride and groom had a ceremony, with similar words to become man and wife, spoken by the host. Religion didn't play a big part in their wedding, except for entering the church to light candles during the traveling around the city. Following the outside ceremony, we had dinner and all the events that they had planned. These included two famous artists singing live (no band), toasts by the close relatives, and the exhibitions of the three things a man must do in his life: plant a tree, build a house, and have children. For the house, they built one out pre-cut and painted cardboard, it took them 37 seconds. For the plant, they were supposed mix some special gravel and water together and it should have sprouted something spontaneously, but it didn't work, so they planted a small plant. Lastly, they made children. This was accomplished by taking two of Sergey's best friends, and having a competition to see who can dress them up as a boy and girl the fastest. They had pacifiers, bibs, and diapers. Then they got out two baby toilets and ran around the hall collecting money from the guests, as per tradition, to see who the people at the wedding want as the couple's first child. Of course, I threw in money for the boy, and the boy won, by 2,000 rubles, which is about $60. They collected in total 13,000 rubles which equals $464. Pretty great haul for just a game.

I danceed quite a bit, both slow and Armenian dancing. I won't go into details about how that is done, but I danced with my cousin Ira and all the guests joined hands and made a circle around us while we danced. It was awesome. I love my family. I also danced with a girl named Lena. She's cute. ;)

For food we ate a variety of salads once again, grilled salmon, shishkabob, satsivi, baklazshan, and other tasty Russian/Armenian things. There was a lot of drinking going on, as their should be when you celebrate a couple's wedding.

We ended with a five cakes, a chocolate fountain, and tea and coffee. Then we watched a video of people interviewed on the street about what they think of two pictures of my cousin and his wife. Finally there was a photo montage of them playing out different scenes. At the very end we said our goodbyes and lit sparklers for them.

It was a great wedding with beautiful people and beautiful tradition. The only thing that could've made it better was some cooler air. It got pretty hot being all dressed up, eating, and drinking with 50 other people.

Tomorrow is a new day for them, to start their life together with the wishes and hopes of all their loved ones. They will be traveling to the black sea in Anatolia for an all inclusive vacation getaway honeymoon. I know they will have a blast. Their hard work is over for now, until they get back. Then it is off to making babies and money. Good luck to them both. I know they love each other with everything they can give. I'm happy for them.

The grandma's say they can't wait for my wedding. I sure can. Haha.

Peace