March 14, Sunday
Melaka, Malaysia
Malaysian Wedding



Movie of the bride's father's lively sisters

Sunday afternoon, 4 men from our guest house, and I, attended a Malaysian wedding of total strangers. Apparently, this is fine as long as one is polite and gives the bride's father a little cash gift(tactfully in an envelope)to help cover the cost of the feast. We also came bearing tidings of our guest house owners, which made us Western tourists more comfortable barging in on what we typically considered an extremely private invitation only type of event.

The people were very welcoming, and the hardest part was finding the darned thing. There was mutual confusion at first, but we caught the 17 bus to the noon festivities. We ate well, took photos, and chatted a bit with the guests. The bride and groom were gorgeoously dressed in yellow and gold, and the bride had simple henna tatoos on her feet and hands. People were curious and friendly. Some locals were quite pleased to pose for pictures and gave me addresses and email contacts for later access. I explained I'd upload to ofoto.com, though I'm sure not all of the immediate group understood it, I've no doubt they'd find someone in their circles to download or order photos for them. Oldly, the cupcakes were presented in lidded plastic cups. I was thrilled to scavenge them for later painting use in Bali. I was unable find anything like it to buy in the stores.

Later, about 7pm. I caught a lift with Raymond and Ronnie to Penang. They have business there regarding a hotel that Raymond wants to buy. We caught dinner at the same Indian restaurant Raymond had recommended for Clare and I. This time, we were presented with some great pickles and cucumber salads... Raymond knew to ask. I learned that at the end, one folds the bannana leaf in half. Folding it in one direction indicates it's a happy event. Folding it in the other direction indicates a sad event (funeral) or that one is unhappy with the service. Goodness! Who would have thought that folding something the wrong direction could offend!