I'm off in the morning with my driver to get my suit ready. The wedding is in two days, but Arun insists it can be done. First thing in the morning, I'm at the shop where you buy the material for a suit. Bob comes with me for the experience and offers some good advice (mostly reassuring me that what I like looks good). I buy some wool, which as it happens, comes from Scotland. Then it's a quick walk across the street to the tailor, whose father worked in the same place and son is already in training. After a few questions - one hip pocket or two, how many suit buttons - at which I mostly go along with his advice, he takes a flurry of measurements and tells me to pick it up in two days. I later tell Arun, who calls to make sure it will really be ready in time for the wedding.
On the way back, we pass by a giant statue of Ganesh. This becomes a landmark. The standard way to get to Arun's from most other places involves driving on one side of a highway, then crossing over at the Ganesh statue, and heading back the other way.
Today is the henna day. For almost twelve hours, four men apply henna to all the women in the party and a few of the men (at least, to the back of Bob's hand). Ankita, of course, gets the most attention and the most detailed henna work - not only on her arms, but also on her feet and calves.
Lindy gets henna'ed as well. (See the video.) After the henna is applied, the women can't really do much of anything but sit three hours while it dries. Then some lemon juice and sugar is added to help it set better. Another hour of drying is followed by removing the dried henna, leaving the stain underneath to decorate the arm. I help Lindy, using the blade and back side of a butter knife to scrape off the blackened henna. Lindy is warned to leave her arms and hands unwashed for 48 hours. We both know that's not going to happen. She gamely tries to avoid the use of a lot of water for a while though, and it's enough for the henna to remain visible for two weeks.
In the evening, Lindy and Bob and I choose not to attend the nightly dance practices, so we won't be displaying our Bollywood talents on wedding night.
On the way back, we pass by a giant statue of Ganesh. This becomes a landmark. The standard way to get to Arun's from most other places involves driving on one side of a highway, then crossing over at the Ganesh statue, and heading back the other way.
Today is the henna day. For almost twelve hours, four men apply henna to all the women in the party and a few of the men (at least, to the back of Bob's hand). Ankita, of course, gets the most attention and the most detailed henna work - not only on her arms, but also on her feet and calves.Lindy gets henna'ed as well. (See the video.) After the henna is applied, the women can't really do much of anything but sit three hours while it dries. Then some lemon juice and sugar is added to help it set better. Another hour of drying is followed by removing the dried henna, leaving the stain underneath to decorate the arm. I help Lindy, using the blade and back side of a butter knife to scrape off the blackened henna. Lindy is warned to leave her arms and hands unwashed for 48 hours. We both know that's not going to happen. She gamely tries to avoid the use of a lot of water for a while though, and it's enough for the henna to remain visible for two weeks.
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| Lemon juice and sugar added |
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| Lindy after henna is scraped off |
In the evening, Lindy and Bob and I choose not to attend the nightly dance practices, so we won't be displaying our Bollywood talents on wedding night.
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