Leslie Across the USA

Jess and Flavio sitting in a tree...M-A-R-R-I-E-D

The day of the wedding had arrived, and Fernanda, Roberta, Ze and I met for breakfast in the morning. We had decided to go tubing down Boulder Creek, which is a popular activity in this city. We bought tubes at a local gas station, and we all squeezed our air-filled tubes and ourselves into the Dodge Stratus that they had rented. It was hilarious. Roberta and I practically had to be contortionists to fit, but we managed. Fernanda drove us up the creek about a mile - she had decided not to go tubing because she didn't want to get all wet. Juliana had told them that there was probably a boat or something! She had misunderstood what the activity entailed, but Fernanda was good natured about skipping out on the fun. Roberta, Ze and I hopped in the creek only to discover that it was FREEZING! I wish we had taken pictures, because it was hilarious, but we didn't want to get our cameras wet. We got absolutely soaked, and the creek was really shallow and filled with big rocks, so we also got absolutely bruised. It was really fun, but we definitely sustained some major bumps and bruises to our backsides as we thumped over the rocks and down the creek. The best part was when there was a little waterfall, and you just slide right down it into the next basin. Sometimes, we floated along quickly and other times we had to grab on to rocks and pull ourselves along. Ze went first, so he kind of paved the way for Roberta and me. You could hear us all go "oooof!" and "owww" as our butts hit the rocks, but we were laughing the whole time anyway. When we floated back down to the library where we were meeting Fernanda, we were each ready to get out and sit in the sun to warm up and dry off. We lounged around and waited for Fernanda while slowly deflating our tubes so that we could fit comfortably back into the car.
I knew I would be hurting, so I spent the afternoon relaxing and storing energy to make it through the wedding that evening. If Juliana's wedding was any indication, we would be dancing and partying until the midnight hour. Those Menasces sure know how to throw a party! It turned out I was right on the money, but more on that later.
The wedding was up in Boulder Canyon at a beautiful mountainous location. There was a beautiful chuppa decorated with flowers and semicircles of chairs set up facing it. The wedding was going to be a mix between Jewish and Quaker traditions, and it turned out to be one of the most beautiful (and educational!) weddings I have ever been to. The Quaker part involved silence, of course, but Jess's dad explained how it would work. We all sat in reflective silence, and then if anyone felt moved to share thoughts on marriage or the couple, then he or she could stand up and speak. I was kind of worried no one would talk, but I didn't need to be. Lots of people stood up and shared some wonderful things, and lots of times, I got pretty choked up. It was beautiful. Then, there was the blessing of the wine, and the seven blessings, which Flavio's dad introduced and explained. Flavio and Jess wrote their own beautiful vows, and they were very composed as they said their vows to each other. You could see how happy they were to be getting married. Then, they did the signing of the Ketubah and the similar Quaker marriage document. It was great. Of course, at the end, they broke the glass, signaling the beginning of the celebration.
And boy, did we celebrate. The absolute best part was when Flavio and Jess started dancing their first dance to a slow, romantic love song. All of a sudden, the record scratched and everyone let out a gasp. Then, the love song was replaced by Michael Jackson's disco classic "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough." At first, it looked like a horrible error on the DJ's part - even he looked shocked, but as soon as Flavio and Jess broke into exhuberant dancing, I could tell that Flavio had planned this little trick. It was so him! Anyone who knows him knows that he LOVES to dance and he's really good. It was a great trick. Apparently, only three people knew about it: Flavio, Jess and Flav's friend Dan (he had helped record the cd with the record scratch). Flav said the DJ was impressed and had never seen anything like it before. It was great, and it really set the tone for the reception, which was to have as much fun as possible.
And we did. Both Juliana and Jess's brother JJ gave wonderful toasts that had everyone both laughing and crying. The food was delicious, and even after stuffing myself, I managed to dance until the DJ played the last song. My feet were killing, and I was sweating like crazy, but I was tired in a good way and ready to go home. Of course, this was a Menasce party, so it couldn't end just because the DJ packed up and went home! A handful of us continued celebrating on Pearl Street, and it was nice, because even though I was DEAD TIRED I got to chat with Flavio a little. That's always the trouble with weddings - you don't get to spend much time with the bride and groom because they have so much ground to cover. So, I was glad we went out afterwards. I was ridiculously tired, though, so I crashed as soon as I got back to the Golden Buff.
My room was a disaster - I had practically moved right in to the place and I was supposed to go to brunch in the morning (really a few hours after I went to bed). I knew I wouldn't be ready for check out, so I arranged for a late check out. I realized that I have acquired a lot of stuff on this trip...oh well. Most of it isn't for me because I've been doing Christmas shopping! I still had to get it all back in the Mini, so I definitely needed the late check out.
The brunch the next morning was great, and I, again, ate way too much (I'll definitely be hiking and hitting the gym when I get back!). I couldn't stay too long, though, because I had a lot of work waiting for me back at the motel to get out of Boulder and on to the next destination, so I reluctantly said goodbye to the Menasces and Braiders and packed up to leave. My goal for the night was Omaha, about an eight hour drive. Adding to my stress was the fact that I was going to lose an hour as I drove from Mountain time to Central time. I finally got on the road at around one o'clock. Omaha felt really, really far, and it turns out, I was too tired to make it all the way. I stayed in York, Nebraska, which is just a blip on the map. I hope no one from Nebraska gets upset with me for saying this, but it is a super boring state. It was rough. I was so tired. Anyway, maybe I'll make a friend from Nebraska one day and see it through someone else's eyes as well as have a reason to go there. But for now, it's just one long, boring, flat piece of farmland that stands between me and the mountains of Colorado.
(photos: Roberta, Fernanda and Ze, my new friends and wedding weekend companions and wedding photos of Jess and Flavio)

posted by Leslie @ 11:37 PM