DianaT
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The Wedding and the Church
We knew the entire town was invited to the wedding, but we had no "fancy" clothes with us---they are now packed for our return. We were not going
to attend, but three of the uncles came to our house on Christmas to make sure we knew we were invited and it did not matter what we wore. The
Verduzco family has been really good to us.
We heard the church bells at 5:30 pm and thought it might be the call for the 6:00 pm wedding --- we left for the church. We had thought that maybe
things would begin late, but one uncle told us that the priest said the wedding would be at 6:00 pm even if the parents were not there, and it began
at 6.
It was a beautiful wedding in a simple church, with modern wonderful music---well, the church is not so simple afterall, it is really unique. The
ceremony was very traditional with a rather long winded priest lecturing the bride and groom. As a family member shared later, there have been lots
of divorces in the community. It was a beautiful ceremony and while we were there for the brides family, it is a small world and we realized we had
meant the groom several months before stranded with another person on our dirt road---we stopped to offer assistance.
The reception was planned for the new stadium, but it was not complete so the main street was closed down for the dance. What a great band from
Ensenada---but they were all from Cedros Isles. The family insisted we sit with the family---more than one table for this family.
The really nice tradition of dancing with the bride and groom and the pinning of money on the clothing of the bride and groom---so much better and
more practical than 3 toasters.
Ah, the traditional search for the garter.
It was such a special time since it was the first time the 11 hermanos had all been together for a very long time. In all, there were almost 70
family members there.
We were invited to join them at the family dinner the next day, but we thought it was such a special family reunion that we would be intruders and our
absence would not be missed. We were wrong! One brother told us that the mother of the bride, Gloria was looking for us----we offered our
apologies----we are learning.
At the wedding, we noticed the really great stained glass windows that had a religious theme with a local meaningful symbol on top. This simple
church with the simple wooden pews is a real work of art.
We asked the most religious of the brothers if he thought the prist would mind if we returned to take more pictures---no problem.
The outside of the unfinished church
Some of the very unique and wonderful windows.
The caracol window
Just another fish window
The langosta window
The pelicano window
Whales
and the beautiful door
with the great whale hinges
Twas a great wedding in a very unique church. We left the reception at 1 am and were told that it contined to past 5 am---just can't make those
really late hours.
Diane
[Edited on 1-20-2008 by jdtrotter]
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Paulina
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Thank you!
P<*)))><
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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DianaT
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Paulina,
That was a very special response---Thank you.
Forgot to include this picture of alone while taking the pictures.
That is my very special partner in the back
Diane
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Skipjack Joe
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Diane,
It looks as though your life long interest in the latin culture, people, and social customs continues in baja as before.
Gene Kira once wrote that when you (tourist) first comes to a remote area of baja you're almost a celebrity but a few days later you become
'invisible'. I found the people of asuncion alway very warm and interested in my visits. I was afraid that with the influx of all these gringos that
has gone away. I am glad to read from your report that it hasn't.
I also found the stained glass windows really neat. Each window has a biblical scene combined with a seascape. It's as though they tried to
personalize them with what was locally meaningful to it's people. I think I like that.
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
I also found the stained glass windows really neat. Each window has a biblical scene combined with a seascape. It's as though they tried to
personalize them with what was locally meaningful to it's people. I think I like that. |
That is what we thought when we saw them. As beartiful and unique as they are, I think I like the whale hinges almost the best.
Look forward to your next visit.
Diane
Diane
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shari
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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Gracias amiga for posting all those pictures...the church is really spectacular...pink marble floor and pillars...andthis was THE event of the
holidays...Te felicito...I am proud of you for integrating into the community as you clearly have..let us hope that other extranjeros who follow do
the same.
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Natalie Ann
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Thank you for sharing the church and this wedding with us, Diane. I really enjoyed the wedding pix. It does seem like you and John are becoming more
a part of the BA community and less connected to your home in the US. Nice to know you have such good friends there.
A traditional part of weddings I have attended in the Sur, the couple has been literally tied together. They have a rather heavy rope with a lasso on
each end, one lasso around the neck of the man and one around the neck of the woman. Then the rest of the rope is wrapped around the two of them.
Obviously this did not happen at your wedding... but I'm wondering if anyone is familiar with this tradition and can help me understand how it
evolved. At the time of the bodas I attended, my Spanish was not good enough for me to ask/understand about this.... but I am very curious.
Nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Natalie Ann
Thank you for sharing the church and this wedding with us, Diane. I really enjoyed the wedding pix. It does seem like you and John are becoming more
a part of the BA community and less connected to your home in the US. Nice to know you have such good friends there.
A traditional part of weddings I have attended in the Sur, the couple has been literally tied together. They have a rather heavy rope with a lasso on
each end, one lasso around the neck of the man and one around the neck of the woman. Then the rest of the rope is wrapped around the two of them.
Obviously this did not happen at your wedding... but I'm wondering if anyone is familiar with this tradition and can help me understand how it
evolved. At the time of the bodas I attended, my Spanish was not good enough for me to ask/understand about this.... but I am very curious.
Nena |
Yikes, that sounds heavy. At this wedding, a loop was placed around the kneeling couple---a very loose loop, but very symbolic. The lasso sounds
harsh---will be interested to see what anyone knows about that. !
D
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Natalie Ann
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Well, they weren't tightly tied.... but it was a sizable rope each time. Loop... lasso... seem like the same to me, so perhaps I phrased it wrong.
But each time I've seen it, Diane, the couple was pretty well roped together.... and each groom looked absolutely miserable during that part of the
ceremony. Things always got better for them, though, as the dancing and drinking went on at the reception.
nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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DianaT
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Nena,
It was the around the neck part that got me. Can't imagine having something put around my neck like that--I can't even stand turtleneck t-shirts.
The loop at this wedding was one big one that fell down--no neck.
As a mother who recently married off a son, you might appreciate this pix---ready to march down the aisle, and mom being mom.
Diane
[Edited on 1-22-2008 by jdtrotter]
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Natalie Ann
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That shot does touch my heart, Diane..... just one last time mom gets to be the one to primp her son. Yep, I know the feeling. Thanks a lot for
sharing this one.
nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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Ken Bondy
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Wonderful post Diane, mil gracias. When I was living in a very rural area of northeast Brasil (45 years ago) I saw several weddings and they did the
"rope around the bride and groom" thing at every one. Maybe it originated in Brasil  ++Ken++
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Iflyfish
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It is an honor to be "let into" your world. I appreciate your openness as you appreciate the oppenness of your new community. I saw that church and
never entered it, what a jewel. Perfect for this little nautical town!
These people have such class! Family, it's all about family!
Keep em coming.
Iflyfish
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