I went to my language helper's younger brother's birthday party last night. It was very typical of other parties I've been to....
I arrived when asked (which meant I was early). My language helper's house was being used for doing all the cooking. The guests were seated in the uncle's house directly behind.
I was offered chai and water. I took water and then was brought chai. Others came in over the next hour. Then we were ushered outside to dance. Imagine loud Bollywood music and a bunch of kids busting out dance moves just like you see in Bollywood films. The guests are encouraged to dance. Nani (grandmother) joins in as well as all the other single people in the family.
After we have danced to the point that we are drenched in sweat we are taken back into the uncle's house and it's cake time. The candles are lit along with a plastic rose which has sparklers in the middle and plays the birthday song when lit. The candles are blown out and then we sing. A balloon of confetti is popped. The birthday boy takes the first piece of cake and all the guests are to take a bite from it. Then each of us received a plate with our own piece of cake, chips, cookies and a piece of candy. We eat. Then wait for everything to be cleaned and the floor cleared.
The "table" (a plastic table cloth spread out on the floor) is set and we are seated (women on one side and men on the other). The raita is set out (yogurt based dish). Then the chicken byriani is served (chicken and rice dish). We lucked out and got to serve ourselves (which rarely happens) so we served ourselves small portions because we knew what would happen. Before we could finish our first serving our host was taking our plates and piling it up with seconds. We ate until we were stuffed. By that time I have to excuse myself to head home.
