Hindu Marriage

Anju and Suru Patel bringing the groom to a wedding of their daughter Alka in Phoenix, Arizona

The big day is here, with Alka and Hitesh at the center of it all. Hitesh arrived on a horse-drawn carriage and is being brought forward by his in-laws Anju and Suru.

Alka about to marry Hitesh in Phoenix, Arizona

Meanwhile, the ladies, who are all friends and family, pose with the bride one more time before she’s brought out into the ceremony.

Alka on her way to marry Hitesh in Phoenix, Arizona

Alka arrived the old-fashioned way, in a palanquin.

Alka and Hitesh marrying in Phoenix, Arizona

And thus started a process steeped in tradition, ceremony, prayers, and offerings.

Jay Patel and Caroline Wise at the wedding of Alka and Hitesh in Phoenix, Arizona

While Caroline loves the opportunity to don formal wear, I have a nearly allergic reaction to needing to wear a dress shirt, tie, and proper slacks, but we wouldn’t have missed this possible once-in-a-lifetime chance to attend a Hindu wedding.

Alka and Hitesh marrying in Phoenix, Arizona

Everything about this wedding is ornate and beautiful.

Sonal Patel at the wedding of Alka and Hitesh in Phoenix, Arizona

The attendees have all ensured they arrive at each event over the many days of the wedding in a dress that hasn’t been used recently, and in many cases, they’ve bought at least one new dress for the most important dates.

Alka and Hitesh with Sonal and Hemu after the wedding in Phoenix, Arizona

After nearly a year of preparation and an exhausting sprint to the actual ceremony, the day is a long one before Alka and Hitesh are done with their role in the day’s events. The couple must pose with nearly every conceivable combination of guests and family, many of whom have traveled from the other side of Earth to be here for them. Tomorrow is the reception, and we are told it will be a small affair compared to similar functions in India that can draw upwards of a thousand people who are all friends and family.

Jessica Dancing at Garba

Alka Patel at garba ceremony for her upcoming wedding in Phoenix, Arizona

It’s the night before Alka’s wedding, and it’s also Kushbu’s birthday, so a bunch of friends and family have come together for Garba. Garba is about the dance of life, with the word itself coming from a combination of “womb” and “light.” The little earthenware lights that Alka is lighting are part of the symbolism of the dance that celebrates life.

Sonal Patel at Garba in Phoenix, Arizona

Alka is Sonal’s niece, while Kushbu is her daughter. Thanks to Sonal for inviting us.

Jessica Wise, Caroline Wise, and Jay Patel at Garba in Phoenix, Arizona

I am so impressed with my daughter Jessica Wise, as she did not hesitate to put on traditional Indian clothing of salwar-kameez and dupatta. Of course, we feel a bit awkward being here as we have much uncertainty about how things work. Fortunately, Jay is sticking by our sides, and to be honest, everyone here would go out of their way to make us feel welcome.

Jessica Wise's hands with henna at Garba in Phoenix, Arizona

Rinku did a quick bit of henna artwork on Jessica’s hands for the dance tonight.

My daughter Jessica Wise dancing with Dandiya at a Garba held for a friend getting married here in Phoenix, Arizona

The dance moves in circles and often uses dandiya, the two sticks each participant is holding. While the Hindus move with grace and ease I can tell you from previous experiences Caroline feels like a donkey stumbling in a rose garden. Just when and on which step should a dandiya be tapped to the person in front of you is a bit of a mystery.

My daughter Jessica Wise, Sonal Patel, and Caroline Wise dancing with Dandiya at a Garba held for a friend getting married here in Phoenix, Arizona

Maybe thinking of this as a kind of Gujarati circular line dancing would help; then again, Caroline doesn’t know line dancing either.

I have to give credit to Jessica’s mom, Sheila Clark, now Clemens, as it has been primarily her influence and guidance since our divorce that has helped steer Jessica into being such an open-minded and interested young woman. I hope my daughter continues to strive to be intelligent enough to grab those experiences in life that take a person beyond the ordinary and lend memories to a life that couch potatoes and the creatures of habit will never experience or enjoy. I really am proud of my daughter for not going full Texas.

Anju Patel, Kushbu Patel, Hemu Patel, and Sonal Patel cutting a cake for Kushbu's Birthday in Phoenix, Arizona

Enough dance, not that I participate in any case, let’s have some cake. Kushbu is the youngest in the photo in the green dress. Her sister Hemu is on her left while her aunt Anju cuts the cake.

Kushbu Patel and her Grandmother at Garba and Kushbu's Birthday in Phoenix, Arizona

Kushbu’s grandmother, who I only know as Ba (the word for grandmother), offers her the first taste of the sweet. Over the next couple of minutes, those closest to her will all offer her a bite, as is tradition.

Sonal Patel and family at Garba in Phoenix, Arizona

Some of Sonal’s relatives she hasn’t seen in quite a long time have all traveled to Arizona to help celebrate Alka’s wedding.

Jessica on Christmas Day

Jessica Wise, Rinku Shah, Caroline Wise at Indo Euro Foods in Phoenix, Arizona

How do we spend Christmas day? Definitely not opening presents under a crispy, dry tree while drinking nutmeg spice anything. We look for Chinese and Indian restaurants that are not observant of this sappy day. We go out and enjoy places as the masses are at home, feigning excitement while trying to contain the horror of what this holiday cost them. Here we are at Indo Euro Foods with Rinku.

Jessica Wise and Jay Patel at Indo Euro Foods in Phoenix, Arizona

Jay is here too because someone needs to be on hand renting them Bollywood flicks to other heathens. I seriously do not mean that pejoratively as Caroline and I would gladly do anything this time of year than listen to another Xmas jingle that has been bombarding us for the past two months.

Karen Goff (formerly Kurchoff) and Jessica Wise in Phoenix, Arizona

So grandma wanted to see Jessica on Christmas day, and it’s hard to deny her this little pleasure. If you noticed that there was nothing posted on Christmas Eve, it’s because we needed a day to recover and did next to nothing yesterday. After we left grandma’s house this afternoon, we went out and smashed people’s Christmas displays in their front yards and sang death metal songs at their front doors in lieu of carols.

Los Angeles Day Trip

Olvera Street is the original heart of Los Angeles, California

Who’s dumb enough to drive 11 hours round trip to spend just five hours in a place? We are. It’s Sunday, Jay’s only day off, so we take advantage of it and speed off to southern California. Our first stop is at Olvera Street which is part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument that is considered to be the birthplace of Los Angeles. The narrow passages, old buildings, colorful goods, and tastes of the Mexican heritage that permeates this corner of L.A. should be visited by everyone at least once, preferably a few times.

Jay Patel at La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, California

Our brief excursion out of the desert continues with a drive across L.A. with a stop at the La Brea Tar Pits for Jay to get a smell and a look at this gooey tourist attraction.

Oki Dog in Los Angeles, California

Off to Oki Dog with Jay, trying a vegetarian burrito that he shares with Caroline while I opt for the real deal and get a pastrami burrito that I attempt to finish by myself, but it doesn’t work.

Jay Patel on Hollywood Blvd Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California

On to Hollywood Boulevard so he could visit the Walk of Fame and get a sense of the role, the film industry plays in this part of America.

Caroline Wise at Santa Monica Beach in Southern California

On a quiet day at the beach because although it is beautiful out here, nobody who lives here other than the surfers and very young kids want to go to the beach and get in the water. The only thing that stops Caroline from getting in is if the ice is too thick to step through; otherwise, I don’t believe she’ll ever pass up the opportunity to feel the cool water on her feet and the sand running through her toes.

Jay Patel at Santa Monica Beach in Southern California

Jay came to America to learn how to fly. Next year, he’ll be leaving the United States, but before he departs, Caroline and I are doing our best to make sure he leaves with some memories that were had on the ground across America other than those related to flight school and the greater Phoenix area. Jay toyed with the surf for nearly a half-hour before mustering the fortitude to allow himself to brag that he was, in fact, “in” the Pacific Ocean.

Jay Patel at Santa Monica Beach in Southern California

When we left Arizona this morning before dawn, there was no plan. No plan to visit the ocean or exactly what we’d do; we were just going to California because we could. Now Jay is drenched head to toe with nothing to change into nor a towel in sight to sit on, so it goes.

Jay Patel, Caroline Wise, and John Wise at Santa Monica Beach in Southern California

It will be nearly 5:00 p.m. when we leave and midnight when we get home (time zone change at the Arizona / California border), but that’s a small price to pay for building lasting crazy memories.

Pow Wow and Diwali

Pow Wow in Mesa, Arizona

Our visit to the 20th Annual Mesa Pow Wow was a great treat as it did not require us to visit a remote reservation for a day of cultural celebration.

Pow Wow in Mesa, Arizona

This festival is held at Pioneer Park on Main Street in Mesa on Saturday and Sunday. With approximately 100 Native American vendors selling art, crafts, t-shirts, food, and various other items, there are quite a few things to check out.

Pow Wow in Mesa, Arizona

The music and dance are major parts of this festival, with dances including the Fancy War Dance, Grass Dance, Southern Straight, Northern Traditional for men, and Fancy Shawl/Jingle Dress, Cloth/Buckskin Northern, and Cloth/Buckskin Southern for women, along with special dances for the Tiny Tots.

Diwali Greeting in Phoenix, Arizona

Happy Diwali…

Sonal Patel on Diwali at Indo Euro Foods in Phoenix, Arizona

….from Sonal Patel at Indo Euro Foods and all of her friends helping celebrate this Hindu festival of lights.