I.Q. Wedding: The Morning parade

At 8:08 AM on July 11th, 2009, my family and friends assembled at the Tah Tah Tah Motel to march one kilometer to the I.Q. wedding ceremony scheduled to take place at 9:09 AM. We were accompanied by a percussion group from Kalasin and a moderator named Gop who shouted out to everyone in the neighborhood to wake up and let the wedding proceed. 30 people carried the wedding treasures – elaborately woven palm leaf platforms that had sweets and money and jewelry and most importantly the ring inside them Along the way, the bride’s family and friends try to stop us, demanding money and bribes. “Dollars, we want dollars!,” The gatekeepers shouted, holding up chains made of gold and silver and other materials, each symbolic of a responsibility of the Groom to his Bride. The Groom didn’t bring any dollars – oops – or for that matter, hardly any Baht. Gop, the poor moderator, had to bargain the price down, way down, to get Yui’s family to lower the gates and let the marchers and I arrive at the wedding. But still more gates – “Dollars! Give us dollars!” What could we do? “There are no dollars,” I said, “And it is very hot – will you take 100 baht, instead?” I pleaded. They grumbled and took the 100 baht (about $3 dollars). I borrowed money, I pleaded, I begged – please just let me through! Finally, when we reached the end of the gates, they washed my feet and let me in to the ceremony.

Thanks again to Khun Chong and his buddies at www.photogangs.com for these awesome pictures