Bhawna's Pooja + Ashu's Wedding

At yesterday's Pooja at Bhawna's house

Bhawna's family cooking for the whole community. The food was AMAZING.  Everything tasted differently which isn't always the case with curries here. 

Bhawna's family cooking.

Monica, Eva (a new volunteer who arrived yesterday), Chandni, and Ritu before we left the Pooja.

Some new calves at Bhawna's 

Walking back to Sidhbari bus stop

After the Pooja, we waited at the bus stop for Gaytri to meet us. Then we took 2 long bus rides to Ashu's (another co-worker) wedding! Here is a view of the dining area and temporary kitchen. We went up to say hello to Ashu as she got ready and she was looking so beautiful. 

We were quite early so we sat in the cold watching everyone run around setting up chairs and getting dressed. 

Fireworks outside to welcome the bridegroom and his party. You can see our reflections in the window and the band leaning on the building outside. Often for weddings there are sort-of marching bands, with clarinet, trumpet, and drums. 

After a long time the groom came in!

Just like at Canadian weddings the little kids are often the first to dance. On the right is Anoop 's (another coworker) daughter. I've met her many times and she is adorable. 

Ashu and her groom!

The two of them sat up there for what seemed like hours posing for photos in a huge spotlight. Everyone took turns going up and giving their gift (usually an envelope with money) and taking photos with them. This is our turn. 

Some dancing after the photos. During photos we went upstairs for "snacks", which seemed like people did on rotation or whenever they felt like it. Snacks were chow mein, pakoras, and other yummy fried things. After dancing was dinner which included salad, many vegetable dishes, paneer, dal, poori, rice, and dessert. I didn't eat much because I absolutely stuffed myself at the Pooja earlier and during snacks. We weren't sure how late dinner would be and we thought we may have to go home before it happened, so I filled up early.

What a day!