February 9, 2001

The night before a wedding is traditionally the bigger night for celebrating. This family has been one that has embraced us quite warmly, and we were invited to all aspects of the celebration.

We gathered with the groom's family at his house, where his sisters led the gathered in music and dancing. From there we piled into taxis and headed for the bride's house - all except the groom, who was ferreted away in a brand-new BMW (courtesy of a big-shot PA friend) until later. At her house, the men sat, smoked, drank bitter coffee, and talked technology and gossip. The women gathered with the bride, who held large henna crosses in her hands. Guests were invited to decorate themselves with the henna (an extremely old tradition, in which very few guests seem to participate these days) while the groom's sisters again led the revelry with music and dancing.

Elizabeth dances with the mother of the groom.

The couple.

Each of the women guests (Elizabeth included) was thrust into the spotlight, to dance with the bride, holding a tray of flowers. Then the procession headed to the school hall (in the summer the dinner is outdoors) for - you guessed it - more music and dancing! It was a refreshing break from the violence and bad news of the past few months to get to celebrate and smile as a community.