There’s always something, here in Thailand. This morning, as we were enjoying a leisurely breakfast of oatmeal at 8:30am after sleeping in a bit (it is a national holiday, after all, the final observed day of Songkran) – not yet showered or dressed of course – there came a call at the gate. Nearly bopping up and down in excitement were a Thai woman and teenage boy we had never seen, and a middle-aged white man with a video camera (he wasn’t bopping so much). I ran into the bedroom to conceal my exposed shoulders while another neighbor who had apparently shown the newcomers to our house explained to Robert that a wedding was taking place, at that moment, and that we should hurry up and go! Now! There will be lots of dancing! (That last bit was added in by the bopping woman.)
I came out with shoulders properly covered and Robert and I looked at each other in dismay, trying to understand how to preserve our slow morning pace and the afternoon of work we had planned. (We’re preparing for a teacher training in May.) Finally we told the women we would shower, dress, and stop by as soon as possible. Closing the door again to finish breakfast, we spent a few minutes grumbling about the last-minute nature of Thai invitations.
I showered first, and while Robert was taking his turn I took the time to iron my coolest blouse. During the next 15 minutes an older, well-dressed woman came by twice to look in the windows, ask me if we were ready yet, and when we would be, offer to come back for us again, and generally prod us along until I made very clear that we’d be there when we were ready.
After packing our work materials and grabbing the umbrella, we walked up the road to the wedding. It was, of course, easy to find because of the loud music and speaking into a microphone that was taking place. As it turned out, a Dutch man was marrying a Thai woman from our town who works in the Netherlands. After we gave them our blessings and money envelope and ate lunch, we were able to chat with him a bit in English about how they met and what they’d be doing next. (It was his brother who had been the gent with a video camera at our gate.)
Of course, we eventually found out that the real reason we were probably so forcefully invited at the last minute – besides just being the closest other white people in the area – was so that Robert could translate the Dutchman’s words of thanks to all the wedding guests after lunch. He did a fine job, of course. And eventually we made it to the office and got some work done. Phew.
(Photo 1 = Robert translating, Photo 2 = Eating lunch)
4 comments:
Holy cow!
Calin says that you may sadly discover on your return that things like this don't usually take place in America.
Another exciting (and pretty funny!) chapter for your book. I also thought Robert was performing the wedding !!
Mom Regina!
Robert says that the reason for this is because the bride is not supposed to speak for her husband at the ceremony. She already gave her little speech, and then he was supposed to give his speech, but it was more important for another representative to assist him in that role. (Robert asked the same question when consulting with the people at the wedding.)
Post a Comment