A Polish Wedding and a Time For Reflection

Bride and Groom
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I have just gotten  back from a wedding and a weekend in the mountains.   The wedding was a friend of Ania's from college.  The wedding was two days and after that we headed to Ania's mountain cabin.

The wedding was held at a hotel outside of Katowice.  It was an outside wedding and the weather was perfect. It was a catholic wedding so mass was held.   The only problem was the way the tents and flowers were place they in the way so it was hard to see. It was in polish and I couldn't see so I had no idea when they said I do or kissed the bride part. Right as the service was ending the bride and groom released doves but the bride's dove decided not to fly and crash landed into the crowd. It was kind of sad but funny.  After the service everyone went to the reception where there is a toast and the bride and groom throw their glasses on the ground and its suppose to tell if the first will be a boy or girl.  At each table they had some different drinks plus wine and a bottle of vodka.  Then came the food.  First soup then the main course.  The main course had 5 different sides plus about 4 different dishes to pick from.  You just take what you want and pass the dishes around.  During this time the string orchestra is playing.  Then came desert. After desert the dancing started and the band started to play.  Most of the music was polish hits.  After the desert they brought out more food. It was some cold meats and stuff to make sandwiches.  All the while shots of vodka is being passed around and people are dancing.   Then about 2 hours later they bring out the cake.  Most people took a break around 10 to go outside and enjoy the nice night.  At midnight there is the ritual of the removing of the vail.  All the single women surround the bride and don't let the groom get to the vail.  Then the vail is tossed. After that the same thing happens to the groom and the bride gets the tie.  After that the bride and groom had a surprise for everyone.  They had a small firework show.  After the show another meal came.  The polish believe you can't have fun unless you are eating and drinking.  After a while we got tired and headed to bed.  Then next morning we had breakfast and then left to the mountains.

The polish believe you can't have fun unless you are eating and drinking.

Picking up the change that is thrown
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I had alot of fun at the wedding.  I like some of the things they do at a polish wedding.  Ania said this wedding was more tame then most. People weren't drinking as much as normal and not everyone was dancing.  There sure was alot of food though.  I had about 3 meals in 1 night.

Over the weekend we had a relaxing time in the mountains.  We had perfect weather and it was good to relax.   I had time to reflect on my 54 days in Europe.  I would say that it was a blast.  I got to see old friends, hang out with my bro, and visit new places.  I got to experience life with a belgian family and go to a polish wedding.  It was a good way to relax after 5 years in college and to prepare for the real world.  I head back to USA early on tuesday morn and will be back that night.  Its alot of travel and a long long day.  I will see many of you when I get back.