My second visit to Delhi has been much more comfortable. I am staying with an American friend, Mark, whom I met in Mussoorie. He is one of those amazingly generous people, who is quick to open his home to visitors. Right now he is actually in Sri Lanka for work, but has left me the keys to his home — which is beautiful and spacious.

My visit has also been wonderful thanks to another friend and her family. Suzanne, who is Dutch married to an Indian, invited me for a family wedding. The family made me feel very welcome. This kept me happily occupied for three days. Thursday night was the ring ceremony at a lovely estate outside Delhi. This event reminded me very much of an American wedding reception. There was a dance floor and a DJ. Early in the evening most people were too shy to dance much, but later, after a couple of drinks, the floor was packed. Only the mix of music was different: a popular Hindi song being followed by Queen’s “We Will Rock You.”
Friday was the Mahendi (Sp?) celebration. This is an event for the women, who all have their hands painted with henna, and sit around singing and talking. Again I enjoyed being a Videshi, as I was encouraged to have my arm tattooed (Don’t worry mom, it’s not permanant). Saturday was the actual wedding. The whole bride’s side (40+ people), including the household servants, piled into a bus and headed for the wedding site. The wedding was held outdoors in a beautiful garden. The actual ceremony took around one hour.
So, now I am exhausted, but happy. I feel much more confidant in Delhi, and am beginning to learn my way around. Tonight I take the night train to Amritsar.