I apologize that it has been so long since my last post. As you know, I was on vacation in Inner Mongolia and since I got back Saturday night, my computer has been acting up. On Sunday, October 1st, all nine foreign teachers and all the Chinese staff at the school were invited to the wedding of Cynthia and Albert. Cynthia teaches children at the branch school and we have hung out with her several times. She called me to make sure that the teachers were going to be able to make it, as she knew we were planning our trip around that time. We started off by traveling to her parents’ apartment in the afternoon (it is usually customary to have a wedding in the morning in China, but Cynthia and Albert were already married some months ago in Inner Mongolia where he is from). Cynthia was at the apartment in her white (Western) wedding gown. All her family was there. Then a limo pulled up outside that was covered in flowers. Firecrackers were set off in front of the building as the groom started his assent to the apartment. When he arrived the door was shut and he had to knock and get permission from her parents to come in. He brought flowers and a bowl of noodles with him. He bowed to each of her parents and pinned a corsage on each. He was then presented with a HUGE stack of money from Cynthia’s father. During all this, Cynthia and some other female wedding guests hid in her bedroom. Albert then had to try and get her to open the door. He called to her, told her he loved her, pounded on the door – anything to get her to open it. He finally started pushing little red envelopes of money under the door. After 3 or 4 envelopes, she finally opened the door and we all cheered. They then shared the bowl of noodles. All the guests then went to wait outside for them to come out. Albert had to carry Cynthia down six flights of stairs! Good thing she is small and it is not on a higher level.
They got into the limo and we started a caravan of cars toward their new home together. We arrived and looked at their beautiful house. One of the other teachers performed a Western ceremony for them as well, as they had requested it. Then we all went to the restaurant where the actual wedding was to take place. It seems to be tradition, at least in Shenyang to put a big inflateable arch in front of the building where a wedding is taking place. Most have a phoenix bird and a dragon, but this one was a little different. We got to help decorate each table with candy, sunflower seeds, beer, pop, Baijyo and a plate full of cigarettes.
They had the ceremony (all in Chinese of course, so I am not sure of what was said) and then we had supper. What a feast! The table was overflowing with food. The best dish was these spicy tiny crabs – a lot of work, but worth it! During the meal, Cynthia changed into a red dress, and her and Albert went from table to table, lighting a cigarette for the men and putting a candy in the mouth of the women. The women also got little bags of candy. This is the time when you give them your wedding gift – a little red envelope with money in it.
There were many toasts and we had a great time together. Cynthia changed two more times: into a green dress and then into a traditional Korean dress as her and female family members and friends did a dance and asked us all to join them. They also asked me to sing – no music, no words. So I just sang a little of “When You Say Nothing at All”. The whole thing was such an amazing experience to be a part of. Cynthia looked so beautiful. I was so honoured to be able to be a part of the wedding.
