Agra, Delhi, and Getting Ready for the Big Day!

It’s been over two weeks since I left home, but it honestly feels like much much longer. My Hindi has improved from just a few basic words and phrases to lines of communication. I’ve learned how to make Gulab Jamun and stuffed paratha, impressed Vibhu’s family with Indianized pizza and banana splits, and have had more sweets shoved into my mouth than I thought humanly possible. I made multiple 2am trips to the Delhi airport to pick up arriving family and guests. We wandered Caughnaunnt Place and donned ourselves in wedding finery. Emily and Cal survived their first stop at a roadside diner, smelly squat toilets, no running water, and jumbo jet sized flies on the food and all. Sally and David enjoyed their first chai wallah performance, a swirling, bubbling pot of sweet milky Indian chai boiled just to the rim, removed from the flame, and expertly poured high above his head into Dixie cup sized plastic cups, and were shocked at what they’d been missing. I think they might just be ready to dabble in street food! We visited the Agra Fort and Taj Mahal, have perfected our haggling skills, and enjoy liter-size bottles of Kingfisher on the rooftop every evening.

The wedding is tomorrow, but the celebrations have been ongoing for days. It’s hectic and exhausting, but being surrounded by family and friends from across the globe is fantastic. Our families met for the first time today, and although I haven’t had a chance to debrief with my family on their thoughts and impressions, I did hear my mom telling Maussom didi and Ajit jiaji (Vibhu’s sister and brother in-law) that she’d be thrilled if we raised our kids in India among the Gupta family and that she’s ready to retire in India. (Don’t worry Michelle, we’re still coming back to Canada!)

After a brilliant lunch at one of North India’s best-known restaurant, Moti Mahal Delux, all 30 of us made our way back to our hotel through the obnoxious traffic and horns of Agra, and were decorated in beautiful henna designs. Hands and arms were covered in swirls and curving lines, Lara and Christine kept us laughing all evening with their crazy antics, and, Vibhu’s parents presented me with my wedding attire. Lengha, jewelry, toe rings, bindis, and everything else necessary to cover me in jewels and sparkle. Goon-goon, Somi, and Aria danced for us to the tune of Massum didi’s beautiful voice. Then they wanted us to perform. We harmonized to the old folk song, Dona Dona Dona. They wanted more dancing, but we fell flat on our faces, stumbled, unsure of what to do. Christina busted out with a spectacular Love Boat number and gained the foreigners some serious points. We’ve got some major practicing to do before the Sangeet party!

All is well here in Agra. Thanks for the well-wishes and love from every corner of the globe! We do read your emails and Facebook posts, but the internet can be hard to come by, so replying will take some time. Pictures coming soon!