on a trip in 2009 to go hiking in Mount Hua, in Xian, i met C. and R., a French couple. we became friends. she's a fashion designer; he's an engineer who consults in sustainability. i sometimes practice zen meditation with them. R. is a musician also. he texted last week that there would be a celebration of their wedding at a restaurant today. the invitation never arrived, which i thought occurred because i have not yet learned to explain my address correctly in Chinese. i found out that the invitations did not arrive for anyone. however, i knew the location of the restaurant. i thought it was just a dinner related to one of the events surrounding the wedding. it was the dinner celebrating their civil union at the French consulate earlier in the day. i didn't know if i was under-dressed, just wearing a red sweater, black shirt and black pants, with an overcoat. but i noticed eventually, that there were people in jeans and sneakers, as well as people in coats and tie.
actually the mix in the group was unlike what i've ever experienced. we were regaled to unusual music - music played on ancient Chinese instruments; music from a handheld air-blown organ; assorted drums; guitar, digeroo, Indian instruments from Bengal; a pianola that worked like an accordion, with air being constantly placed in by opening and closing valves; thymbals; castanets, an electric sitar. an Iranian lady sang an Iranian folk son in honor of her father, then sang a Yiddish wedding song. the French sang "in the Champs d'Elysees". a Philadelphian played an Indian flute, accompanied by a group of Hare Krishnas on drums and sitar. the group sang a song to Jesus, followed by a cry, "God Bless America." and we are in China.
the venue was in a Thai Restaurant. throughout the night, the barriers of communications disappeared. i was seated in the vegetarian table, with a Pakistani couple. among us the faiths of Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists and Hare Krishnas where represented. i didn't make that up. the menu started with sparkling wine and cranberry juice; white wine; soup, spring rolls, steamed asparagus, vegetables green curry, pad thai, coconut pudding. the food came out of the display kitchen, where the chef - job captain ordered about his colleagues, who scurried to prepare and serve the dishes. the coconut pudding was supposed to be divided among three people each bowl, but the chirpy sitarist said it was one for each and suggested i eat the whole bowl. he might have been hungry, but ow, my stomach. the cake was unusual - moist chocolate, fruits inside and outside of it, whipped cream frosting topped by dulce the leche. did i mention i need to maintain my calorie restriction? tomorrow. champagne to toast the newlyweds was distributed. the Hare Krishnas didn't partake in the alcohol; the music dedicated to God and the newlyweds intoxicated them.
among us where business analysts, engineers, architect, musicians, fashion design teachers, and a group of 11 French people who came for the celebrations. people from many continents and backgrounds among a small group of 40 people. i could attempt to be more literary in writing this, but it's how it's coming out. i'm writing this, i guess, mainly for my mom, since a celebration like the one i attended makes one celebrate one's parents. this ranks among the most unusual, interesting and life celebrating events i've ever experienced.
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