Play For Hope

Day 10 

So today was a pretty laid back day.  We had Zed's wedding in the afternoon, so the morning we just had some chill time.  We played some cards together, and worked on updates and  spent some time relaxing at the house.  Later we headed out for the wedding, only to discover that the groom had told Serieux the site of the reception, and not the wedding. So we were in the wrong location.  :)  Serieux tried to call people and find out where we were supposed to be, but we got no responses.  So, instead we hung out around the reception site for a few hours.  This was not a great time for me, because I ended up having 2 Laura moments in this time.  First, I totally tripped up a set of stairs in a building we were in.  I mean, on my face trip.  Yep, that's me.  We went for a long walk and stopped at a small shop for some snacks.  Serieux got me a bruschette!  It was perfect because I was getting quite hungry and who knew what time I was going to get food tonight?! :)  Rwandan weddings are an all day thing.  The ceremony part last several hours and the reception lasts many more hours.  What was not so great about this place though was my Laura moment #2.  Here, for some odd reason, I did not see the stairs that were right beside me, so I tried walking down the gutter instead.  Needless to say I slid down and fell on my left shoulder.  Yep, there were a lot of Rwandans staring at me on this one.  My clumsiness was out and shining today!  At least I had a wedding coming up though, that I was SUPER excited to see!! :) 

When Zed and his wife finally arrived it was so exciting!!  I love weddings so much!!!  Sometimes I think I should be a wedding coordinator or something, just so that I can be around weddings more! ;)   But anyways, they drove up in a car decked out in ribbons, as is the Rwandan tradition! Next, they went off to take some pictures while we went and found seats inside.  Everything was very pretty inside!  There was red satin with white lace up front.  Also, there were five cakes, and a very pretty table set up at the front for the wedding party.  As the reception proceeded there were some american traditions mixed with some Rwandan traditions.  Walking in, Zed and his wife walked through a pretty arch, where they had to cut a ribbon before entering through.  Then, when they got to their table, the fathers proposed toasts.  Next, the families of the couples were toasted to and then the bride and groom.  For all of us they passed out Fanta. :) Next, they had singing and dancing.  I love their cultural dance!  It is very good!  Also, I found out later that the girls who were singing and dancing are on one of Zed's soccer teams.  :)  Then, they went to cut the cake.  This was VERY cool because there was a sparkler shooting out from one!  I think we should do this at American weddings!! :)  Then, out of the blue, Christian goes up to speak about the couple and encourage them, and the next thing I know, we are being called up to the front.  Us!  We have only met Zed twice and have not met his wife yet, and now we are being called up to the front to make a speech!  Luckily Brian had to do all the talking, but they were so happy to have Americans at their wedding.  It was crazy! ;)  Haha, but I have discovered that you never know what you are going to get in  Rwanda, so you have to be open for anything.  Also, before going up to the front there had been two guys that stepped into the row in front of Josh and I to take our picture.  They were very close, so it was very clear they were taking it of us specifically.  And, they were blocking people to do it.  So funny!  And, we saw an infant drinking coke from a straw.  He probably drank half the soda in less than 30 seconds.  It was incredible!  :) Shortly after this we headed back home.  It had been a good day, I got to see part of a Rwandan wedding!  Not many people get to say that I'm sure! :)