Guada ♥ Brian

Today I took the stifling bus into the city of Badajoz [population 120,000], a medium-size city on the outskirts of Spanish civilization. I met up with María and Claudia, two friends who will be staying with me in Madrid for a few days as part of their Summer Spanish Adventure. Guadalupe, a good friend from Syracuse, got married at approximately 9.00 pm today with only minor bumps, largely from the groom's inability to comprehend the entire ceremony. The wedding was Catholic, which I think added to the general confusion radiating from the American participants. Brian's mother was thrust into the front, seated next to Guadalupe as the Godmother of the Bride (or something like that), nodding vaguely when the priest glanced her way in the off chance that he was actually directing something at her. Brian did quite well, feigning total comprehension of everything. His vows were spoken in English and hers in Spanish. It was a beautiful ceremony.

Afterwards, around 10.00, we headed to the reception ceremony. In true Spanish fashion, we started eating at around midnight and didn't finish until about 2.00 am. Children scampered about, playing tag. The party descended into the depths of the hotel's discotheque, where Claudia, María and I held out until 4.00 am. We were among the first guests to leave. 10-year olds tirelessly waved goodbye as we made our way back to the hostal.