Weren't we the surprised ones to receive a wedding invitation here in Antananarivo seeing as though our social circle is so small you would have to look really hard to find the circle! All of a sudden we felt rather special and wondered what lay in store for us. We've seen so many wedding cavalcades pass us by while out and about in the city, that the thought of actually being part of one peaked our curiosity. We never would have imagined........
The alarm went off at 6 am. Hilton hopped out of bed, well not exactly hopped, but he was up before me. My leisurely stretching out my limbs before rising was rudely interrupted by: "Oh s....t!" Quickly hopping out of bed (I'm a bit younger), I ran to see what had happened.
Water, water everywhere! Warm cozy feet stepping unexpectedly into cold water would surely elicit a slight profanity? We thought the leaking pipes were fixed, but oh no, they leaked with a vengeance. The water, once again freed from the constraints of a pipe was apparently quite happy trickling down
the wall all night, and watched in total fascination as we scuttled around for towels to begin the mopping up process.
We eventually left home at 7:30 am only to be caught in the morning traffic. So we chatted and passed the time of morning till we arrived at Hilton's work to pick up Kanto, the young lady who is his right hand (and left, I might add), at work. Kanto was our navigator and interpreter.
The church service was at a Catholic church we have frequently driven past on our way back from one of our favourite restaurants. Now we were actually going to see inside........
CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL - IMMACULATE CONCEPTION - ANDOHALO - ANTANANARIVO.
I love the sound of cathedral in Malagasy: Katedraly Andohalo.
Andohalo is situated in what is known as the Upper Town (haute ville, in French).
This Cathedral is one of the biggest churches in Madagascar and it is the seat of the Archdiocese of Antananarivo.
Construction began in 1873 and was completed in 1890. The design is in the Gothic style and it is said to resemble Notre Dame, but with much less decoration.
It is built on a cliff where Queen Ranavalona apparently had Malagasy Christian martyrs executed.
This beautiful Cathedral was declared a historical monument in January 1964.
The inscription on the above sculptured bust reads:
Jerome H. Rakotomalala 1914 - 1975 - Kardinaly Malagasy Voalohany
Jerome was the third born of eight children and he became the first cardinal of Madagascar.
Pope Paul VI created him cardinal priest with the title of Santa Maria Consolatrice al Tiburtino on the 28th April, 1969. He was sixty-one years old when he died and he is buried in the Cathedral Crypt.
The following photo is of the crypt where one can light candles, pray and contemplate. Neither Hilton nor I wanted to photograph inside this building. Personally, I found it a bit creepy and made a hasty exit. You, dear reader, on the other hand, might not.
Kanto and I did a little exploring of the grounds on our own.
This photo is a perfect example of the giant that I most of the time feel like on this mad magical island. I think the Malagasy people have a secret potion they drink to keep them petite and beautiful! Please note the lovely high heels Kanto is wearing and she is still shorter than me! Hilton remarked whilst sitting in the church: "I think this is the first time ever, that we've sat at the back of a church and when we stand our view is completely unobstructed!"
I must however mention that our early arrival panic was totally unnecessary. We arrived at the church three quarters of an hour early. Brilliant. Invitation said 9:30 am, so we had plenty of time to continue on our photographic tour.
Before we entered the church to take photos, Hilton took this photo of a state owned high school. The building in the top of the photo, with the red roof.
Let me take you inside the empty church.
Eventually guests start arriving, including a few of Hilton's work collegues.
By now 9:30 am has come and gone. We are all still waiting, quite patiently at this stage. So, in the mean time let me fill the gap.
The reason I'm wearing black pants, or this particular outfit to the wedding is simple. We have a single cabin "bakkie", a truck in other words, and there are three of us up front. You all see how beautifully Kanto is dressed. Hardly appropriate for her to sit in the middle bearing in mind we have many kilometres to travel....well, actually, not so many as the crow flies and certainly not so many if there was no traffic to contend with. But yes, nothing road wise, car wise and pedestrian wise is normal in this special, unique, one of its kind city. Am I ever grateful I chose the outfit.
It is now 10:30 am and the Bridal party has finally arrived. The Bride and Groom arrive together.
The Bridal car looks beautiful, elegantly adorned with a bouquet of flowers and even the number plate sports a wedding bow!
We slowly make our way to enter the church.
Mika, the groom is the first to enter with his mother. Then the moment arrives and Linda the bride enters the church on her fathers arm, accompanied by the bells announcing their arrival while goosebumps run up and down my spine.....
Bride and Groom saying their vows.
.....and so the church service draws to a close with this gorgeous photo of a happy couple!
And we're about to be on our way to the reception. The service commenced at 10:45 am, we exited after 12 noon.....
Being part of this wedding cavalcade was indeed an eye opener. Gone are the days back home when this had an advantage, never mind being a tradition. Hooting, especially at intersections where the police are busy blowing whistles and directing traffic has a distinct advantage in this congested city. And how polite the other drivers are, giving way to the participants in this happy occasion, provided your hazard lights are on and the hooter is working!! We were off to the other side of town, Ivato, near the airport, for the wedding reception.
I seized this relatively calm moment to capture the street scene.....otherwise it was pretty awkward sitting at an angle trying to take photos whilst being jerked around in the truck.
THE WEDDING RECEPTION was held at: Akany Soafonenako Mandrasoa Ivato. Now can you all please repeat it, out loud!
Perfectly situated beside the beautiful lake Mamamba that belies its enormity.
We arrived at the venue close to about 2 pm. The sun was shining brightly and the wind had been banished. This is Kanto and me having a chuckle after our WC mix-up! Of course after the long "drive" from church to reception everyone headed to the WC. Hilton nips into the first one and we proceed to nip into the next one. On our exit, Hilton was in the ladies and we were in the gents!
Hors d'ouvrés and juice under the umbrellas on the grass, for the guests.
Reception hall looking light, airy and just beautiful!
The table place settings were semi-precious stones, so unusual.....and here is ours.......
Easy to spot, our names are the shortest! I love how they wrote Mrs Hilton, their English version of Mme.......now let me just see if you, dear reader have absorbed what you've read so far. On the above list is a family name that should jump out at you. You made the acquaintance of a personage earlier, with the same name. Surnames here, however, do grow by adding on family names, but you should still be able to spot this family name, despite the add on. I wonder if these families are related?
And here they are, Mika and Linda!
A tasty cold Buffet Lunch was served. And believe me it was very welcome, especially since Hilton and I left home with only a mug of coffee in our tummies!
Hilton and Kanto:
Mika and Linda enter the hall and proceed to greet everyone:
The Bride and Groom have their own table set higher than the guests. The grass wagon is where you "post" your "formal blessing", in other words your monetary gift. We asked if there was a special significance for all the sweets arranged on the tables in front of the Bride and Groom. No one knew, but it was suggested, albeit a joke, that you can only have sweets if you deposit an envelope in the wagon!! I wonder how long those sweets would remain on the table at a wedding back home!
The Bride's father pronounced the grace and not long afterwards Mika and Linda took to the floor for their special dance.
You will never guess what the frills around that table concealed.
Suffice to say, by the time we were about to make our way home, the frills of the Bridal table were revealing their secret in the form of Whiskey bottles. Something like a cash bar, but not quite!
After the first dance, we were treated to a traditional Malagasy couples line dance. I'm very proud to say that Hilton and I have danced this line dance! Way back when we stayed in Taolagnaro we were invited to a fortieth birthday celebration and we were encouraged to join in. It certainly isn't difficult to learn. I especially enjoyed the music this time round.
Kanto looking so pretty....just love the feet!
Another "follow my leader" line dance that wove in and out, literally, in and outside! Mika and Linda lead the way.
Another "follow my leader" line dance that wove in and out, literally, in and outside! Mika and Linda lead the way.
.....and fun was had by all........
We took our leave from this most delightful wedding round about 4:15 pm. We were indeed honoured by the inclusion and were made to feel so welcome. "Vazas" (foreigners) are not readily included in Malagasy celebrations. Hilton has been honoured by inclusion and surprises quite a number of times since living on this mad magical island.
The very first surprise was a farewell party organised for him, by Malagasy staff when his contract ended in Taolagnaro. No one could remember ever attending a farewell given to a Vaza by the Malagasy people.
Another surprise moment, a couple of years later, was the last evening at a local pizzeria in the same town, when the men spontaneously broke out in song. The outing was Hilton's treat after a time of training and reorganising the Henri Fraise Fils & Cie branch. Rare opportunities of acceptance and respect.
As we headed off into the late Friday afternoon traffic, little did we know how long it would take us to see Kanto safely to her home. We arrived at our home just after 7 pm! But here's a thought. Kanto catches two buses to work in the morning. It takes her two hours to arrive at work by 7:45 am! She then repeats this trip in the late afternoon. Usually arriving home by 7:30 /8 pm in the evening. She is never late for work. Quite an achievement for this young lady in this crazy, mixed-up, hustling, bustling city of Antananarivo.
We took our leave from this most delightful wedding round about 4:15 pm. We were indeed honoured by the inclusion and were made to feel so welcome. "Vazas" (foreigners) are not readily included in Malagasy celebrations. Hilton has been honoured by inclusion and surprises quite a number of times since living on this mad magical island.
The very first surprise was a farewell party organised for him, by Malagasy staff when his contract ended in Taolagnaro. No one could remember ever attending a farewell given to a Vaza by the Malagasy people.
Another surprise moment, a couple of years later, was the last evening at a local pizzeria in the same town, when the men spontaneously broke out in song. The outing was Hilton's treat after a time of training and reorganising the Henri Fraise Fils & Cie branch. Rare opportunities of acceptance and respect.
As we headed off into the late Friday afternoon traffic, little did we know how long it would take us to see Kanto safely to her home. We arrived at our home just after 7 pm! But here's a thought. Kanto catches two buses to work in the morning. It takes her two hours to arrive at work by 7:45 am! She then repeats this trip in the late afternoon. Usually arriving home by 7:30 /8 pm in the evening. She is never late for work. Quite an achievement for this young lady in this crazy, mixed-up, hustling, bustling city of Antananarivo.
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