Day 445 - Mr & Mrs on 11.1.11

Today was the big day! And what a day it was! Kim was up early to meet with Jose & find flowers. I knew I should have gone, as when it came time to pick them, guess who got sent out to find ‘this’ flower & ‘that’ leaf somewhere on several acres of greenery? Yup. Yours truly. At least I was outside & getting some vitamin D & plenty of exercise!

I managed to sneak to the beach for one hour, where I visited with Jenn, before I had to race back & drag a bunch of heavy tables around a room where we would have the reception later on. Then it was flower/greenery time, which took a long time, as I couldn’t find what Kim was looking for. I had to leave her high & dry on the boutonnière’s. I had forewarned her last night that I would not be able to help with them. She asked me again today, but I regretfully declined. I had to get ready! (Thankfully!) Not before making 4 trips to/from the gazebo to make sure the curtains were just right.

I was worried that I might feel a bit awkward, being the only person at the wedding who didn’t know the Bride & Groom well, but Cat & Darren both made me feel welcome. I felt even more ‘privileged’ when I was able to lend Cat earrings & lipgloss she could wear on her special day. Yeah, it’s the small things, I know.

I quickly ate, showered, & threw on my best wig. I told Cat I wouldn’t be the random bald chick in the background.

Darren looked handsome in his tailored suit & Cat looked like a supermodel/angel in her wispy, romantic gown. Wow. She’s a knockout!

The ceremony was simple & short & there weren’t many, if any, dry eyes around! Love, commitment, devotion, what makes the moment so special? Maybe it’s all of the above.

After the ceremony, Mr & Mrs were whisked away with Jose & Joel to a nearby town to do a photo shoot. Kim & I frantically set up the reception tables so they would be ready for photos as soon as the party returned. I must say, it looked phenomenal. I believe Joy Thigpen was the Stylist, although she couldn’t make the trip to Cuba. I know Cat had messaged her a photo of the bouquet earlier on to see if that was what she had in mind. The wonders of modern technology!

The plates were gorgeous! I’m not a big ‘plate’ person, but these were awesome! The Cat & Darren cigar papers, the Cuban dominos & the explanation of how to play the game, the napkins, the vases, the cigar table… It all came together perfectly!

The couple returned & we had a wonderful dinner – I think that was the biggest lobster tail I have EVER eaten. Wow. It was 4x the size of any other lobster tail I’ve ever seen! I enjoyed sitting next to Jose & did my best not to pester him with too many questions. I didn’t want to be THAT person! I enjoyed his answer to one of my questions about what inspires him. He told me he likes beautiful things – beautiful light, beautiful people, beauty all around. Hmm. Makes sense. No wonder he is such an amazing Photographer. He FINDS beauty everywhere he looks. If you don’t already stalk his blog – start here & now. And of course, you’ll have to check out Joel’s videos too! Have fun!

With the reception over fairly early, Kim & I found ourselves in the nightclub watching the dancers. She didn’t really want to go, I was keyed up to check them out. Of course, we ended up in the front & felt committed to stay – it would have been rude to jump up half way through the show. I can’t remember the name of tonight’s performance, but it was all 80’s & 90’s love ballads. I’ve never seen so much spandex & cheesy love songs in one place. However, once you looked past the gent’s white spandex unitard (um, yeah), they were really amazing dancers! They performed some crazy lifts & had incredible athletic talents! It’s a pity they are stuck performing at the resort & not elsewhere in the world!

Which brings me to my next ‘thing’. The female dancers wore little spandex ‘panties’ under their skirts. Generally the undies match the outfit, but these girls didn’t have that luxury. They had pink dresses & red undies. I knew their costumes were a little dated & they could definitely use a facelift. The part that frustrated me the most was that I actually had a pile of those spandex panties at home that I was about to give away to the Mustard Seed. Why did I have them, you ask? Well, one contract on the ship, some of the dancers were getting rid of a bunch of stuff & I thought it might be kind of cool to have ‘dancing’ shoes. They gave me heels (think Fandango) & the sneakers they always wear – can’t think of the name at the moment. They also had fishnet stockings, nylons & all these colourful undies. I’ve never worn any of them. When I cleaned out my boxes this winter, I had a huge box of stuff to give away. I had contemplated bringing a suitcase to Cuba, but decided against it. I didn’t want to insult anyone with my hand me downs & used stuff, so I didn’t bring anything. I’ve been kicking myself all week, but after the mismatched undies saga, I’m really bummed I didn’t bring anything! Argh!

So, after a grand finale of Celine Dion, Kim & I retired for the night. We had an early morning tomorrow. We were headed back to Havana with the wedding party to do a shoot on the streets of Havana. Yay!

xxxx Maria

My hat & shades

The women who serenaded us throughout dinner

Dance show

Resort at night

Paparazzi!

Here she comes!

Giving away his daughter!

With this ring...

I thee wed!

Kiss kiss!

Mr & Mrs

That's how I roll...

Mama is happy too!

Family shots

Best buds

What a trio!

Artists in Action

He said close your eyes & then kiss... It was too cute!

Beautiful couple, eh?!?

The scene

Oh dear. The resort did a little 'decorating' while the couple was out!

Jenn did a shoot with a couple from Chile - I think!

I (heart) the sea.

Kingston & Easton make an appearance

Footprints

Wheee!

Waves

Water

Yes sir.

What a day!

Decor

Cigar table

Cigars (note the wrappers)

Funky lil' vases

Decor

Day 444 - Off to Varadero

This morning we were actually up early! Can you believe it? We had to have all of our things packed up & breakfast eaten in order to catch our bus at 1000.

Fernando y Marisol made us another yummy breakfast. I’m adjusting to the fact that I can eat a fruit plate for breakfast & then just snack on nut bars to get me through the day until supper time. I can make this food thing work!

Kim & I lugged our luggage (I’ve just realized the irony in those 2 words) up the steps at the bus depot & sat waiting to board our bus. While we sat in the station, I watched the TV en Español. It was a program about Greek & Roman history. I thought it rather cruel, considering that most Cubans would NEVER have the chance to hop on a plane & take a trip to Europe. I can’t imagine life without travel. As I type this post on a plane to Barbados, that would be the ultimate punishment. When I was in high school & stayed out past curfew, Mom would make me pick weeds in the garden. I dreaded that. No travel gets put in the same category. (Only times one million in its severity)

Why, on this trip alone, I’ve learned so much. I had so many people telling me, ‘Oooh, you’re going to Cuba? Be careful! What?! You’re staying in a hostel? Watch yourself! Don’t go out at night!’ etc, etc. My experience has been nothing closer to the extreme opposite. I would gladly hang out in the dark streets of Havana & Vedado than I would Calgary! And the people are smiling despite their oppression. They are warm & wonderful & making due with the little they have. (More on this later today)

The bus driver didn’t want me to take my carry-on suitcase on the bus with me. It has all my camera gear in it. No way was I going to let him shove it under the bus. I saw the force they were using! I couldn’t speak Spanish to him, but luckily another chap could & he explained to the driver that I had fragile items in it & he should let me take it on board. Good thing I did, as my ‘indestructible’ luggage from Eagle Creek came out from the bottom of the bus with a crack in the plate. Argh!

Our resort was BEAUTIFUL! We met the Bride-to-be, Cat, and her Groom, Darren. What a couple! I couldn’t wait to see them all dressed up. Cat is STUNNING!

Kim & I checked out the beach, settled into our room & did a little exploring. Tonight was a ‘rehearsal dinner’ with the parents of the couple & the photographers.

I finally met Jose & Joel & their friend, Jenn. I’m not sure if I mentioned it already, but when Kim asked me to come to Cuba with her many months ago, I was excited to come to Cuba for the experience of Cuba alone. Then she told me that she was going to a wedding & the Photographer was Jose Villa, whom Kim had taken a workshop from just over a year ago, I was EXTRA excited! Naturally I have peeked on his blog from time to time since Kim told me of him.

He is one of the top wedding Photographers in North America & he is in a class all his own. He is a Purist. He shoots film, no digital. But the best part of all, he is really nice! I had this inkling that he would be ‘uppity’ & that all the fame would have gone to his head. It couldn’t have been further from the truth. His partner, Joel, shoots 8mm wedding videos & was equally as friendly. I was so stoked to see them both in action tomorrow. What visionaries!

The rehearsal dinner was at a Japanese restaurant where they prepare your food in front of you. They make a base of fried rice & then add whatever meat or veggies you would like. Of course, they make it funny & entertaining & the food was really yummy. Darren cooked for us a bit – he’s actually a Chef in Ottawa & owns his own café. No wonder he looked like such a natural! Darren’s Dad was adorable. He had a camera & I think he captured every other second in photos. He was so cute, showing Cat & Kim the shots he’d taken (they are both professional Photographers) & all the fancy functions of his camera. It was refreshing to see someone fired up about photography.

After dinner we sat outside & everyone shared a drink. Kim & I went to Cat & Darren’s room to find out the plan for tomorrow & what we would have to do. I was so excited to see the décor, the dress, the suit, even the Fidel cufflinks! It was going to be an amazing day!

Lastly, we stopped by the pool, where the resort had a team of dancers performing water ballet. They were awesome! The costumes were a bit dated & tacky, but the skills were certainly there!

I loved that it was warm outside, dark & the sea breeze lazily brushed through the palm trees. And it is the first week of January. Life is good. Nah, life is GREAT!

As for my statement earlier about Cuba, I’ve come to the realization that most people don’t experience the REAL Cuba. They travel to this all-inclusive resort for a week. They experience the wonderful food, the drinks, the beach, the fancy hotels and they think Cuba is amazing. Who could blame them, right? But they miss out on the REAL Cuba. They don’t see how the people truly live. What is life really like for Cubans? What are they allowed to do? What can’t they do? What do they eat? What are there homes like? What is their personality when they aren’t being paid pennies to make you feel special? (They are still just as nice, btw) This country of old cars & Cuban cigars has many wonderful qualities, but what is the quality of life if you’re not free to choose & do as you please? Where a beggar on the street makes more money than a trained & qualified Doctor? Something just isn’t right. Where you’re not free to talk about your leader, without the fear of being caught on camera, audio or by a spy. And then what? The rumors say shot. It’s a very scary & disturbing idea for a girl who grew up in the middle of nowhere. Maybe that’s where the ‘no borders, no boundaries’ thing comes from?!

Anyhow, more on this stuff tomorrow. But first – a wedding is in order!

xxxx Maria