I was fortunate to be able to go to another Emirati wedding on Friday, my second. I really enjoyed it again and I am surprised at the generosity and hospitality of these families who allow complete strangers to eat and drink with them. This time, the bride was the sister of the mother of a child at my nursery. I went with some western co-workers and all the guests were women. The men have another ceremony outside.
It took place in a white tent, with huge ceilings and chandeliers. It was all white and gold. We sat at round tables and ate hummous, and kababs and Indian curry and then Emirati biryani and mutton. Chocolates were brought round all the time, along with incense, and big jugs of perfume. A singer sand Arabic music very loudly so you could not talk to anyone and four belly dancers danced on stage.
The drinks kept coming and coming and it is the drinks which always interest me:
1. Arabic coffee in little cups
2. Arabic sweet tea, no milk
3. a fruity tea in miniscule glasses
4. fresh fruit drinks
5. cola
6. green milky drink in itty bitty cups
7. pink milky drink
8. a tapioca milk drink I didn't like
9. almond milk with pieces of nuts throughout
The bride arrived a couple hours later and she walked onto the stage, where her friends and relatives joined her for photos and to congratulate her. She was dressed in a very expensive fluff and looked beautiful. We sat with her and she was lovely and spoke great English.
We left then, about 11pm, before the groom arrived. Apparently, this is his second wife. She couldn't have been much over 20.
I learned that Emiratis get 4000 dirhams, or $1000 per child, per month, and 70,000 dirhams for the wedding.
It was a really nice night and I appreciated going.
It took place in a white tent, with huge ceilings and chandeliers. It was all white and gold. We sat at round tables and ate hummous, and kababs and Indian curry and then Emirati biryani and mutton. Chocolates were brought round all the time, along with incense, and big jugs of perfume. A singer sand Arabic music very loudly so you could not talk to anyone and four belly dancers danced on stage.
The drinks kept coming and coming and it is the drinks which always interest me:
1. Arabic coffee in little cups
2. Arabic sweet tea, no milk
3. a fruity tea in miniscule glasses
4. fresh fruit drinks
5. cola
6. green milky drink in itty bitty cups
7. pink milky drink
8. a tapioca milk drink I didn't like
9. almond milk with pieces of nuts throughout
The bride arrived a couple hours later and she walked onto the stage, where her friends and relatives joined her for photos and to congratulate her. She was dressed in a very expensive fluff and looked beautiful. We sat with her and she was lovely and spoke great English.
We left then, about 11pm, before the groom arrived. Apparently, this is his second wife. She couldn't have been much over 20.
I learned that Emiratis get 4000 dirhams, or $1000 per child, per month, and 70,000 dirhams for the wedding.
It was a really nice night and I appreciated going.
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