India

I left Dallas on July 1 to fly back to Atlanta, and then turned around and left on July 2nd for India. My dear friend Aruna got married on July 5, and I had the privilege of getting to attend her wedding in Chennai (Madras). It was absolutely wonderful to be there, and her parents were the most incredible and generous hosts.
Doesn't she look stunning?!

Her hands mehendi'd in preparation for the wedding.Aruna and her groom during one of the many ceremonies that make up a Hindu wedding. All the wreaths around their necks are made out of flowers, weigh a ton, and smell heavenly (jasmine).

Whereas in Western culture a dad walks his daughter down the aisle, here she sits on her father's lap before he gives her away. (The flower chains have multiplied!)The waiting groom!Finally a married woman! After all of the 6+ hrs of ceremony, you've got to feel really married! Aruna had a beautiful outfit made for me to wear - orange is a traditional wedding color.Aruna's dad's boss and his wife came, and I hung out with them for a few days after the wedding. They were absolutely wonderful to spend time with, and I felt like an adopted daughter. The day after the wedding, we went shopping, and dipped our toes in the Bay of Bengal.The next day we caught a plane to Delhi and then drove to Agra to see the Taj Mahal - incidentally on 07/07/07 - the day it was announced one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was spectacular!The requisite picture in front of the the Taj.I made friends with a snake charmer - and got friendly with one of his snakes (defanged)! My new boyfriends, at least one of which is not venomous. :)In hindsight, I really should have taken a ride as the owner was willing, but at that point we were hurrying back to the airport. Oh, well - next time!