weddings, helmet heads and one big nasty bug

This week we've been busy getting back into a routine of study and school work (even though we're not back to school just yet). Nadia has been a busy little bee, as usual, and we've been chasing our tails with cultural opportunities left and right. We attended a friend's wedding yesterday, and here are some of the photos from that.

When Javanese have a wedding - the whole city seems to be invited. There were no less than 600 people coming and going at this reception hall. This shot is of just one of the few rooms that were jam-packed with people meeting, greeting, mingling and eating.

Everyone gets very dressed up - even Nadia Renee.

The bride and groom, dressed up, to the far left.

The wedding reception is just one, giant receiving line. The poor bride and groom, stand up on the stage, while their guests come in one door, shake their hands, go out another door, then go enjoy a feast. It's such an ordeal, that usually people get married one day, and have the reception on another day.

"Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, I'm free at last!" It was really hot in there... and so packed with people that it was impossible to move even an inch without bumping into someone. I was afraid the whole time that Nadia would escape and dive into one of the food displays - or worse yet, tackle the giant amplifiers. But my fears were unfounded, it turns out. She was an angel the entire time... and was also very happy to be out of there.

We left just in time. We drove our motorbike home, and within 3 minutes the sky opened up and it rained and stormed the rest of the day. We even lost power for a few hours.

This is the 4th scorpion we've found in our house. Not one of them has looked like another. This one's stinger is not quite as visible as the others'... however, that did not stop me from assuming that there WAS one. Thankfully, so far, all our scorpion visitors have been on the shy side... and remarkably slow moving. Fun fact: when killed, any bug related to the scorpion family, will emit a very strong vinegar smell. Therefore, any time i smell vinegar... i have a small panic attack.

Nadia likes to wear our helmets around the house. It's not really a bad idea, come to think of it. She is just like her mama, and is always tripping on nothing, running into things and falling on the floor. A helmet may just add a few years to her life at this point.