Wedding Season

Last weekend marked the beginning of wedding season in Nepal. At first I thought that getting married in December here was kind of like being a June bride at home: desirable but not mandatory. I have since determined that it’s more like deer hunting season at home: it’s not impossible to do it at any other time but most people choose to follow the rules. I must have seen or heard about two dozen weddings over the weekend, although to be fair they can be heard from miles away. The wedding car is draped with so many garlands and flower sprays it’s a wonder the driver can see. The car follows a marching band through the streets, and is in turn followed by the family and friends of the happy couple on foot. The musicians are about as talented as pre-schoolers, but that doesn’t stop them from belting out their squeaks and honks with the enthusiasm of a New Orleans jazz band. The banquet halls on every street corner which have always sat empty during my visits are brimming with vibrant sari-clad women and groaning tables of food. It’s virtually impossible to navigate the streets at dinnertime, as the wedding parties create traffic jams all over the city. The good news is that the festivities typically wind down by about 8:00 so the nights are quiet. I’m not sure if this is going to continue at such a fever pitch throughout the month, but I’m anticipating that Christmas will be out-festivaled by weddings.