DOUBLE WEDDING JEOPARDY

Would I like to go to an Indian pre-wedding celebration on my second night here? Would I ever!!

After a monster sleep where nothing could wake me until the afternoon, I spent a lazy afternoon exploring Bandra, getting lost, finding my way again and getting lost just as quickly. Cam made it home and we popped the champers and prepared for a night out, Indian style. He was telling me that everyone is always late and that there was absolutely no rush, but by the time we rolled up to Gallups racecourse we were walking against the tide.

There was a walkway covered in fairy lights that we raced up and it opened out to the most amazing sight. Thousands of people in every colour imaginable where talking, laughing and eating in a massive open field. The band seemed to be packing up so Cam went to find the father of the bride, having forgotten the wedding invitation we didn't know the names of his daughter and her husband to be.

My eyes were on stalks at the amount of food. Soon we were piling our plates high and getting advice from guests about the best things to taste. THere was so much meat, we couldn't believe it and we made the most of it.

After chowing down, Cam admitted that he really didn't recognise a single person. It suddenly dawned on us that we might be at the wrong venue. Grabbing a pina colada for good measure, we slowly backed out of the place and went back to the car. Sriraj was laughing at us. We'd crashed a Parsi wedding and of course the other drivers had told him while we were in there.

Finally we found the right place and almost immediately Dilep came running up to us to welcome us to the event which was well under way. Did we want food, please come and eat something. I managed a few spoonfuls as we pretended we were starving, then he dragged us on to the dance floor and introduced us to almost everyone. We had such a fun night. The best was watching everyone do the moves to Om Shanti Om (a famous Bollywood movie) and just drinking in the joyful occasion.

One of the best moments had to be when we were at the bar and chatting away, when a guy next to Cam asked him if he was having fun. In a slightly offhand manner, Cam replied "Yes, are you?" and turned back to me, then we heard the words, "Yes, it is my wedding"!! It was the bridegroom. So we completely overcompensated by rushing at him with congratulations.

I love the way the women here use their hands when they dance. I want to learn how to do that. It was such a happy occasion and we collapsed at the end of the night. The weekend was blissfully dominated by a lot of food and films and relaxation.

I can't wait for the real wedding on Monday night....