My cousin Molly was a Peace Corp volunteer stationed in
a very small town in southeastern Panama. There she met
and fell in love with a handsome young man named Victor.
At the end of her stay they returned to the states together.
They made plans to return to Panama to formalize and celebrate
their relationship.
I was invited to the
wedding but did not plan to attend, thinking at the time
that my itinerary would put me somewhere in Brazil by now.
Needless to say, I am a long way from Brazil and I was happy
to extend my stay in Panama to attend the special event.
Molly is a saint in this tiny town. And as the cousin of
a saint, I automatically had special status too. I was welcomed
into the family and the community.
The
ceremony took place in the Catholic Church and the
reception in the open-air town hall. It was a combination
of customs from both cultures. Panamanians apparently
do not spend six to twelve months in the planning
of a wedding. Most arrangements were made in the two
days prior. Decisions about many details were made
by the bride while her hair was being done! |
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Panamanians
like their music loud and their beer cold! Atlas was
the beverage of choice. The only choice! The foreign
family was in charge of stocking the freezer! The
local family lovingly prepared the food. Gallina de
Patio, chicken from the backyard! Ceviche, raw fish
"cooked" by the acidity of lime juice! Perhaps
not so artistically presented, but very tasty!!
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I
must admit my extreme disappointment about one Panamanian
custom: you can't have your cake and eat it too! There
was a large cake and a cutting ceremony but it is
not served at the reception. Portions are delivered
to the homes of the guests the following day.
It was a pleasure and a privilege to be accepted and
included in the culture and customs of Canitas. I
was, indeed, touched by the open-hearted innocence
of the townspeople! What a treat! |
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***CONGRATULATIONS
MOLLY AND VICTOR***
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