Burundian Weekend

I attended a Burundian wedding yesterday. Silly me. I thought I could attend an African wedding AND have time to attend a friend's goodbye BBQ. Not the case. I think everything took twice as long as 'normal.' People didn't mind waiting around forever for food (an average American would have been complaining about 15 minutes into the wait), waiting around for transportation and any other number of things.

The entire ceremony was translated into Kirundi. I can't imagine the speed at which the interpreter's brain was operating. The pastor is a very nice, southern bred man who spoke incredibly fast in terms of translating and used way too many American metaphors that proved very very difficult to translate into Kirundi! And he seemed clueless that these odd speech phrases should take longer to translate as the interpreter tried to wrap his brain around the real meaning and speak it in a way that the entire African congregation (barring myself and maybe 5 other people) would understand.

There was a small feast at the church following the ceremony. Complete with rice, cooked cabbage, beans, and lots of chicken in yummy sauce.

We then all trekked over to party #2 taking place at the Ice Center in Renton. And yes, there was ice. The room the wedding party used was a side room off a huge ice rink with a great view of the hockey game. None of the Burundians had ever seen a hockey game before and were glued to the window glass. While slightly odd, it was absolutely wonderful because it was chilly inside! Refreshing in light of the 90 plus degree weather.

There was a small arcade at the ice center and I had fun throwing in a few quarters to watch some of the kids discover a teeny merry go round and their moms discover table hockey. Very entertaining! :)

Today, I took some of my Burundian friends on a field trip to the beach. Well, Coulon beach here in Renton at the base of Lake Washington. But still fabulous in their eyes. The group consisted of a Burundian mom, sister-in law, two baby daughters (3 and 1) and a neighbor girl of 5. Another friend came with me and helped me transport and corral all the kids. It was the very first time the 1 yr old had ever been in the water and she loved it! All of us played in the water and every single age loved it. No fear whatsoever in these lil' Burundian girls!

We supplied Otter Pops too which was a hit. I must say, today I rediscovered my love for otter pops and capri suns. And that love runs deep.

While at the park with the girls, I had two different people ask me if I had adopted. Not really an appropriate question I admit, but I also have to admit to myself that I would love to adopt someday!

And look--my new house! Ok, duplex. Ours is the one on the right. Siamese twins. We signed papers on Saturday, yay! Great location in Madison Valley, about 3 blocks away from the southern most part of the Arboretum. I called the owner 5 minutes after he posted the craigs list add and he mainly operated by first come first serve. I am hoping to move a bunch of my stuff this Friday so that I don't burden my roommate with moving my crap after I leave for Africa.