Well, well! I can see many a raised eyebrow and knowing looks!
How many of you instantly thought of Hugh Grant's 4 Weddings and a Funeral??? I did and it inspired the title hereš¬!
We got married in 2003.
Just a month before the wedding, my dad had to be hospitalised. But thankfully, he recovered soon. There was so much to do! Cards, venue, shopping .... and hardly any time!
Being the eldest, my suggestions for a no frills wedding was firmly turned down. Everyone had their own input and suggestions, but Daddy and Mummy had the final word. Also, there was trousseau and jewellery shopping to be done, as well as train tickets for all of us. We survived the prep madness and focussed on the travel details.
We were 17 people (aunts, uncles, cousins!) - including the 5 of us (Daddy, Mummy and us 3 sisters) travelling all the way from Assam to MP! It would take us 3 days by train. I was touched to see many old and sick relatives coming all the way to the station to see me off with their blessings!
The marriage party was noisy and exuberant, breaking out into Bihu dance and Assamese wedding songs (even prayers sometimes!) at the drop of a hat! Fellow passengers joined in - more the merrier! My Aunts had carried enough boxes full of snacks and sweets, so hunger never affected the energetic young people!
I was the excited bride- to- be who wasn't going to shy away from the singing and dancing; NO WAY!
The wedding was even more energetic, colourful and boisterous - a typical Punjabi wedding! The best part was that the two sides greeted each other without any self consciousness! My Aunts who speak only Assamese were trying to converse in broken Hindi, patiently heard by the groom's aunts! My uncles and cousins had no problems either after a few Patiala pegs, dancing away to Bhangra songs! The food was great and the crowd happily blessing us. Such a happy moment it was.
After the wedding, when my parents left, I was really sad and missed them. It was sinking in - that I was now a married woman. But I was also looking forward to the days ahead. Talk about mixed feelings.
We decided to go somewhere close by for our Honeymoon. We zeroed in on Mandu, which is a couple of hours away.
Known for its rich history and illustrious ruler, Baz Bahadur, this small town bore witness to the love story of Baz Bahadur and Roopmati. There were many forts, palaces and temples dotting the idyllic landscape, with a breathtaking view of the Narmada. Being history lovers , we spent most of our time walking around, trying to envision how the Royal lovebirds must have tried to meet in stealth or sighed after seeing each other from a distance ! How romantic! š
We planned to visit Mandu again but so far, no success! We wanted to take the girls as well. When we had gone in 2003, there weren't many decent options to stay or to eat. But , I believe now there is a MP Tourism Guest House, which is quite good.
On our 1st wedding Anniversary, we planned a trip to Goa. We decided to stay in a resort for 3 days and then a B and B for 2 days. In fact except for the train travel dates and tickets, Adit had no inkling about the trip details! It was my Anniversary gift to him.
We reached Margao by train, in the morning and set off immediately for the Resort. The Longhuinos Resort was bang on Colva Beach. We got a good deal, since it was pre season and we didn't regret it one bit!
After a bath and a hearty breakfast, we went out towards the beach. Colva is in south Goa. 15 years back, there weren't so many hotels/resorts there. In fact, we felt as if we were on our private beach! There were just a couple of shacks, well stocked with alcohol and snacks.
Adit and I enjoyed playing with the sand and the waves. We were literally like small kids! We got temporary tattoos on our arms! We walked hand in hand along the beach for hours! We had cocktails and seafood! We took silly pics of each other and goofed around. Ah, pure bliss!
The resort gave us complimentary wine and cake on our anniversary and we even gate crashed into a couple's 25th wedding anniversary in the resort!š I got drunk with just 1 glass of Champagne š¾.
Poor Adit had a difficult time handling a drunk wife in front of total strangers! After that 'show' I swore off Champagne for good!
In the next 2 days we took guided tours arranged by the resort to areas around South Goa, the lesser known Hindu dominated areas which had some beautiful temples and even a model village showcasing Goa's indigenous crafts, cuisine and culture before the Portuguese influence.
Of course , we saw all the popular beaches nearby- Palolem, Benaulim, Vagator- and Fort Aguada (we remembered scenes from the iconic Dil Chahta Hai movie!) and clicked away in delight!
I also remember visiting Panjim, taking a river cruise where Adit and I danced away like maniacs! The Basilica of Bom Jesus was beautiful and it was really peaceful inside. We also stopped by for some water sports at Miramar beach .
I am talking of Goa 15 years back! Things must have really changed now as it continues to be a sought after tourist spot.
We left the resort and spent 2 days close to Anjuna Beach in a B and B, just 2 minutes from the famous beach. This was really a happening place! The crowd, the flea markets, the food shacks- we went crazy exploring! Even Tito's was close by!
I wasn't my usual poised and calm self, I finally got to unleash my wild side ! Adit had never seen me so unbothered and carefree- like a gypsy! If anything, he was totally cool about it and enjoying it ! I just wanted to lose control for once and just enjoy being the real, raw ME! Goaaaaah!š
I don't remember too many details , since it was quite sometime back. I would love to go back to Goa again! We plan every year but it hasn't worked out so far!
An opportunity presented itself in the form of Europe trip!š³š± This was in early 2005. Well, hubby wanted to know if I wanted a Solitaire š for my birthday or a trip to Europe. Is there even a doubt!!!!!? Europe , darling! Solitaires hold no charm for meš¬!
Adit has relatives abroad, so we got in touch with them and planned our trip accordingly. This was my first time meeting his Uncles settled in Holland. I was really nervous...
My first visit to a foreign country! 10 hours , nonstop flight from Mumbai to Amsterdam ! Alone .... Adit was to join me two days later. I was so worried about meeting his relatives alone. I couldn't sleep a wink!
When I landed at Schipol airport, I was tired and sleepy. I had not slept on the flight! š
Adit's Mama was waiting to receive me. We had seen photos, so we recognised each other immediately! I slept on the way home, so I missed the beautiful Dutch landscape! Mama is a bachelor and a big fan of Dev Anand( same pinch!). Ah, there ! We had so much to talk about after we hit common ground.
I gave my folks a quick call and then chatted with Mama. We had dinner and I slept like a log after that! Jet lag hit me hard!
When Adit reached, I had settled in with the new surroundings and people. I was totally comfortable with both Mamas- coolest Uncles ever!š
My birthday was celebrated by the entire family and I was really touched! Didn't feel like we had just met! The gifts I had taken for them were really appreciated.
We planned out our trip and decided to look around Amsterdam and other places close by first and then visit Paris (truly the city of Love and Romance) and Innsbruk (Austria). The idea was to experience rather than just travel to tick off a destination! I loved the spontaneity of the thing! We planned but still had a lot of surprises to look forward to!
We were still newlyweds and wanted to spend time together after a 5 year long long- distance relationship. Europe trip was like a third honeymoon for us. Another chance to know each other better .
Akin to peeling off the layers of an onion, we discovered each other and we discovered ourselves as we walked hand in hand along the Champs ĆlysĆ©es and hugged at the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. We knew we were travel buddies for life because we both loved it! We discussed starting a travelogue kinda thing where he would write while I take pictures or the other way round! We were glad we weren't too fussy about food and adapted to local tastes easily. We both go crazy with the camera and managed to capture our beautiful time together.
The Europe 'experience ' will definitely need a separate blog! All I can say is that it was the best gift Adit gave me ! Wonderful memories to cherish for a lifetime....
That's how 1 wedding was followed by 3 honeymoons!
Each one was special in its own way.
Each time we discovered a new side of ourselves and each other.
Each time we bared our souls and accepted each other.
Each time we thanked God and fate that we met.
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