M. and I arrived back in Amsterdam last Thursday after a week of lazying about in Marbella. We were lucky enough to stay at a beautiful 5 star hotel (at a huge discount), and spent the week relaxing by the pool and hanging out with M.’s family. We had the best intentions of renting a car and driving along the coast and spending a few “culturally-rich” days in Granada, however when push came to shove, the confines of our five-star abode with its fluffy bathrobes, champagne breakfast and ocean views was far too difficult to tear ourselves away from.
The wedding was picture perfect, and an excellent study in “How to Successfully Combine 3 Different Cultures and 2 Contrasting Religions in one Wedding Ceremony”. The Bride was Greek (Orthodox) and the Groom, German-Israeli (Jewish). Extensive family had flown in from Germany, Greece, the United States, and Israel. The Rabbi (a native New Yorker now living in London. Yes, truly an eclectic mix at this wedding!) made a beautiful sermon on love’s blindness to race, religion, and culture.
The dinner reception was a page out of “My big fat Greek Wedding”, with spontaneous singing and dancing erupting in all corners of the hall. Although the first course had already been served, the majority of guests leaped out of their seats once the Greek band began to play. Of course, grumbling was heard by (non-Greek) guests who were shocked to see the main course served at 12:30am in order to accommodate the endless rounds of impromptu dancing and “O-pa”! I eventually joined in and spent most of the evening arms linked, spiralling into a sea of laughter and dance.
