Two weddings and a reception

Last night many people traveled to Tihuanaku to celebrate the Aymaran new year, but staying up all night in the freezing cold didn't sound extremely appealing to me so I stayed in La Paz instead. Plus, I was invited to the wedding of the brother of Heidi, my host mom.

I was told to be at the church at 7 pm, which means no earlier than 7 pm in Bolivian time. I took a taxi to Miraflores and walked into the church at 7:02 pm, and since there was a wedding going on, I sat down. It was a pretty big church, so I couldn't see the people at the front very well.

So it turns out that wasn't the wedding I was invited to after all. I eventually walked out of the church, and lo and behold there was the groom and his dad. They didn't seem surprised to see me walk out of the church either... they were more concerned that I know that Heidi was on her way (or something...). I guess there were about 5 or 6 weddings scheduled for that day, and they were running a bit behind.

Anyway, the next (real) wedding was more beautiful, and a bit longer. It was a Catholic service, but in Spanish. So I knew where we were most of the time, I just couldn't respond to any of the prayer calls and such. Below is my host family getting ready to walk up the aisle. Heidi is the oldest child in her family I think, and since their mom passed away a while ago, she walked her brother up the aisle.

The reception was held in a hotel about a 20 minute drive away in Zona Sur (which is sort of the posh part of La Paz). It was a big party! And I felt sorely underdressed.







There was dancing and a live band, and dinner was eventually served at midnight. But perhaps the most interesting part (besides the music choice) was the alcohol. The groom's side of the family is Mormon, but since the bride is Catholic - she wins. There was a bottle of Bacardi and Old Parr at every table, with an ice bucket and little pitchers of coke to make drinks. Champagne was passed around for toasts, and wine was served with dinner. Of course, all of this was turned down at my table. If my Spanish was better, there were probably a couple interesting conversations to have about the wedding.


I chose to go home with Laurence (host dad) and the sleeping kids after dinner. Heidi had to stay until the end, and most people were still there and dancing when we left at 12:45 am. Adrian had been asleep since 11, wrapped up in that coat and lying across two chairs. Sometimes I relate most to the two year-old in the family.