The upcoming Chilean wedding - not mine

One of the first messages I received last year on Christmas was from Juano with an un-assuming subject line - Feliz Navidad. Given that it was the holiday season, I thought this to be nothing more than the annual festive greetings. Well, was I in for a surprise. His message was simple:

"Hello Mr. Hazra!

This e-mail is to notify you that...... I'm getting married! Yes, I asked and she said yes, so conventionally that make us bride and groom, Vero is very happy and I'm really happy too. This was yesterday!

Well, now the preparation, and the place, and the invitations and rings, fighting with the family, and all of that, usual stuff for I wedding so Ive heard... that takes some time to get all set, so I decided to tell you pretty much in advance, that you are invited!. We are planning for late september-early october to make it coincide with Vero's brother who's teaching literature in germany.

Although of course we know it's a great distance from the other side of the pacific we would be very happy to have you here!

We'll, I saw you were on annual leave, so get back to me when you get the chance!

Big hug!,
Juano."

With me being out on the farm for the summer holidays on annual leave without access to the interweb, the message came across a while after. I did get a txt from him saying, he had sent me a message and while it sounded a bit vague at first, I thought nothing more of it than the usual banter that we usually exchange via email.


The bro had proposed to his long time girlfriend Veronica (who I shall be meeting for the first time in a week's time from now and excited). Normally the quip would be to make an honest woman out of her, however with this one, I think it was to make an honest man out of him hahaha.

The decision however was made pretty much after reading the first sentence of his email. I was going to a Chilean wedding next year and the reply to him was simple in return: Ready or not Santiago, here I come! Over the next couple of weeks, the dates were finalised and the auspicious occasion was set for 10 September in Santiago.

Given all this happened in January this year, the initial excitement waned off for a bit as the months went by. It wasn't until I bought the air tickets that the whole trip got real and from then it was counting down to the wedding. Not only does this mean another food odyssey coupled with some quality time with a few bottles of Carmenère, but catching up with old friends, making new ones and some good old frivolity. Not to mention being a part of Veronica & Juano's big day and celebrate with them as they take their vows to a long, fruitful, exciting and fun filled life that lies ahead of them.

So, having said that, the countdown has begun. The many avatars of pisco await and this time, unlike last time Juano, we will NOT be drinking them out of vases. I have been forewarned that the normal wedding celebrations in Chile, do not finish till 5.30-6am the next day and somehow I think they are not kidding from the last time I went out partying with Juano. 

Ready or not Santiago, here I come.