La Boda

Hola again from España!  It’s been very busy around here first with the wedding of Irene (a family cousin) and René, followed by a last minute trip to Sevilla with no internet!  So I apologize for my lack of posting but I’m hoping to make it up to all of you with at least two killer write ups of the adventures of La Chica Americana.  So let’s begin with the wedding, or la boda.

I found out about this exciting opportunity about a month before I arrived in Spain and I’m pretty sure I’ve been preparing for it since then.  From my observances this past month and Saturday, weddings in Spain are not a gathering, or a shindig, or a get-together.  They are events.  And just as I’m sure the guests of that Other wedding (you know, the Royal one) had to carefully plan their attire, I spent weeks, literally, with Amparo and Nerea (Borja’s mother and sister, respectively), putting together The Ensemble.  So after endless accessory shopping, two days of hair and makeup preparation (not kidding), and an attempt at a crash diet that completely, well, crashed, we set off for la boda looking like a million bucks.

The wedding and reception were both very similar to those we have in the U.S. so I won’t go into too much detail.  I do, however want to relay a thought and a story:

1. Of our table of ten people, five languages were spoken.  Castellano, Valenciano, German, Finnish, and English.  
2. The bride and her family planned a special tribute to their trip four years ago to visit a then very young Borja in the States.  During their visit, we spent a great deal of time kicklining around New York State singing “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra.  In the middle of the dancing at the wedding, this song came on and Irene led Borja and I, Nerea, Amparo and Jose Antonio, and her sister Itziar who also came to the States, in a very joyful and nostalgic singing kickline.  This was definitely the highlight of the whole day for me and I felt very happy to be included in this big family moment.

I’ll leave you with some pictures from la boda, including my attempts at some artsy-fartsy wedding photography.  Prepare yourselves for my post on Sevilla.  It’s gonna be a doozie.

Thanks for reading,

Alicia

Two of my favorite things: shoes and books.

She's always a goofball, even on her wedding day.

Itziar, Irene, and Rene

Irene and Rene

Many people here call me "Alice," which is a nice little ode to my grandmother.

I needed to get a nice picture before crazy dancing commenced!

Borja's cufflinks from his grandfather

What gentlemen!

Alex, Nerea, Jose Antonio, Me, Amparo, and Borja

My host parents and Borja on fire on the dance floor.