Walima Day

In the morning we cycled from the Park with no particular destination in mind. We found Lake Overlook Park and rode across the mile long dam on a fine paved surface. From there we could see where we were camped and plotted to ride back there on Park trails. Well.... we got onto a mountain bike path and found the going pretty tough - rough, rocky and a few water crossings. The rough stuff was probably only about 5-6 km/4 miles but we walked a lot of that!

Between the trees...

Over the rocks...

And through the stream (we're almost there!).

Later that day

The walima was held in an Event Centre (party hall) in a rural area near Georgetown. We arrived at 7, with dinner planned for 8 (it was somewhat later due to issues with the caterer!).

As the groom had informed us earlier, there was no music, dancing, alcohol or mixing of the sexes. The bride, her female relatives, women and children were in an area separated from the men. Men and women ate separately; the bride cut one cake while the groom cut a different one for the men. As there were no photographs taken, you will have to ask each of us about our experiences on this evening.

One of the nicest customs we observed was the offering of "Congratulations!" to both the parents and aunt and uncle of the bridal couple.

You will be happy to know that Collin and Raha had a short honeymoon, all alone (with each other!) at a cottage nearby. By June they expect to be living together as man & wife in Waterloo Ontario.