My first Peruvian Wedding

So after living in Cochán for over 14 months, I finally went to my first wedding. This isn't actually that surprising because I work mostly with kids, who tend to not have weddings. In addition, most people don't actually marry and just live together and have kids. Weddings, just like in the states, are pricey and involve a lot of planning. Anyway, I was invited to the wedding of the sister of some of the girls that I know. She is 19 and is marrying another youngster from a caserio of the nearby town Llapa. I didn't actually know her (although I probably met her before) because she didn't go to the colegio and lives about a 40 minute walk uphill. Nevertheless, I was actually looking forward to going to the wedding because I knew the family. However, the day of the wedding it was downpouring as usual, with a little thunder and lightning in the mix. I almost though I wasn't going to be able to go because I didn't have anyone to go with and I didn't know where the house was. My host family was going later, but they were going in the motorcycle, and I needed to be there for the ceremony to take pictures. Luckily I found some people to walk with and waterproofed myself with my boots, rainpants and jacket and made my way to the wedding.

I was worried I wouldn't arrive in time because the ceremony was supposed to start at 4. However, like most things here, the ceremony didn't actually start until almost 5:30. They wanted me to film the wedding, but unfortunately I didn't have my camcorder because I lent it to my brother 3 years ago and he still hasn't given it back. So pictures would have to do, even though the lack of light meant that most were with flash, not the ideal picture. I tend to be shy about taking pictures but once the wedding started the two sisters were yelling and telling me when to take pictures. They wanted every moment captured. Since it was my first wedding I didn't know all of the customs and when was the moment to take pictures. Many of the things are the same, including unveiling the bride and kissing the bride.

After the ceremony everyone took turns dancing with the bride and groom. Then everyone gave their presents one by one to the bride and groom, entailing a hug and a photo op. They also brought out the cake...but I knew better than to expect cake. The wedding cakes are traditionally eaten the next day. After all that it was time to eat. They served everyone cuy and some cow, cuy being the best dish you could serve. It was my 3rd cuy of the day and even though it was cold, I still enjoyed it. After everyone ate they cranked up the music, alternating with a band, and it was party time. Some of the guys tried to get me to dance right away, and my host family wasn't very supportive, egging him on. Luckily the sisters of the bride saw him trying to make me dance and yelled at him to leave me alone, saying that I don't like to dance. I will dance on occasion, but not on command with everyone watching! The rest of the night consisted of circles of beer and cañazo drinking, with me passing on the cañazo. My host dad jokes that I only dance after I have been drinking so he kept trying to get me to drink more. All in all I didn't drink that much, less than the other women, because I was passing on the cañazo, which is basically rubbing alcohol. However, the liquid intake led to several bathroom trips, which was either the field or the latrine outside of the party. I learned that wearing vans slip ons to the party was not the smartest idea. Even though I had come in my rubber boots, these shoes still ended up caked in mud from walking to the latrine. In addition, there was spongy mud at the party and when I tried to dance my shoes kept sticking to the floor and my feet would fly out.

So I have been in Peru long enough to know that this party would probably last until the morning. In fact, the girls even told me to stay the night there. Luckily at one in the morning one of the taxi drivers who was there with his family decided to leave. My host family went with them as well, while my host dad rode home solo in the motorcycle. I definitely lucked out and jumped at the opportunity for a ride back down to Cochán.

The bride and groom.

Jhoanna was thirsty. I offered her my water but she wanted the beer instead. This wasn't the only time she drank it. She also drank the cañazo.

Why use a bottle opener when you have your teeth? My host dad Mario opening up the beer the Peruvian way.

Jhoana was tired but didn't want to stay upstairs in the bed. So instead they gave her a chair and put it in the middle of the dance floor. She slept while everyone around her continued partying.

The only picture I have of myself from the party. It was getting late and this poor girl was still there waiting for her parents to leave.