The Reception

Alexander turned the AC on full blast when we got back in his car and assured us that the reception would be air-conditioned. Kristina had said that it would be from 3 to 10:30. We figured that we would take a cab home when the kids conked out. It was waaaaaaay out in the woods and up in the hills - we were going to be there until the end.
The hall


The drinks offerings - and the waiters kept them coming and coming and coming. Alec said that every time he took the first sip from a beer, they put another one at his elbow.



Two teenage girls in the family had made little wrist favors. Guests gave them money, and we figured this was for the bride and groom. Branwen and Isabel started to help and I think may have upped the contributions.


It turned out that the money was for the girls and came to about 20,000 dinar $300. They were going to split it 3 ways, and maybe were thinking that the little girls had horned in on their action. Jef straightened it all out. The little girls got 1000 each and they were thrilled. The older ones split the rest and they were thrilled, too.

At the beginning the band played old American songs - they were the ones that I remembered from proms. Maggie and I were taking turns identifying them and what movies they were from. Then they started playing Serbian folk songs VERY VERY VERY LOUDLY.


The dancing is done in a long line around the room. It is like doing the hora in a straight line for hours and hours. The guy in the front is in the national fold dance troupe with Kristina's brother. He was very good. The group is going on tour to Mexico in Sept.
Tim and Kristina had their first shuffle. There is a reason to take some lessons and have something choreographed.


Food started coming first course



Second course chicken soup. Third course stuffed cabbage



Chunks of whole roasted pig for the main course with. A salad plate with tomatoes, cucumbers and shredded cabbage. There was also spicy green peppers and horseradish for condiments.

It's was so loud that we took turns escaping to the parking lot so we could hear and talk.


The cake which had many flavors


The bride and groom figures


The father of the bride. We were trying to get him off the table to say goodbye.


My ears rang all night. We had a great time and were truly welcomed by the Serbian relatives.

Home to bed. We leave for Paris in the morning.