Wedding reception

Priya with some relatives.
Jan, Lynn, myself and Neoma enjoyed our banana leaves!
The newlyweds with "us foreigners"!
Happy couple!
This picture has nothing to do with wedding but got imported. Anyway, this is the lovely banking facility where we get money exchanged. You can't see it but you have to walk across a wooden plank over a ditch to get in. Not sure how secure this is???

Recently we attended the wedding reception of our housekeeper's niece. It was the first wedding function I have attended so I really enjoyed it. Everyone is beautifully dressed in their colorful saris. Gifts were presented to the couple while musicians played and then we headed down for a meal. The traditional South Indian meal is served on a banana leaf, usually some stews with rice and several relishes on the side. South Indian food is very spicy, so I was a little worried about it. However, they also had some oriental dishes that were less spicy so I didn't choke from the spices. Priya and her mother were so happy that we had come. Myself, along with three other friends, gave the newlyweds an electric grinder which is considered a necessity in an Indian kitchen. Not really sure what all they grind up, but I remember when we were looking for kitchen appliances when we first came, the salesperson couldn't understand why we wouldn't want a grinder! When we left they offered us a coconut because according to tradition, a guest should never leave empty-handed. A fun evening!