A Second Wedding Celebration
The sun set, and we all hopped back into our Jeeps. This time, we were headed for the real surprise….
If you missed it, here is part one: Sunset in the Desert
We arrived at this Bedouin site where a national Jordanian dance group was waiting for us. They began singing traditional songs, and some of my uncles jumped in. They pulled PB and I into the middle (the groom & bride) and sang songs about us. This was just at the entrance of the site. The party had not even really begun yet. (Click on the smaller photos to enlarge)
Twenty minutes later we had finally made it up the paper lantern path to the site and were dancing around.. at least, everyone but PB and I were dancing around. Hiding behind one of the tents, PB and I were instructed to put on a traditional abaya (mine is white) and head scarves.
To help you better imagine the party site:
When we were ready to go we took of our shoes, hopped in a truck, and were taken away to two awaiting camels. The scene was right out of a movie. We were driving in the darkness when suddenly in front of us were the two camels, just like that. We hopped on and made our way back to the site. The dance group led us in, and our second wedding celebration began.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group was getting outfitted too. Within 20 minutes our very American and modern Jordanian group became a traditional Bedouin group dancing around. We were all floating on… sand.
And Greygoose, apparently.
The meal was traditional and fun as well. They put lamb meat and potatoes in this wire pots and buried them in the sand to cook. The result was lamb that melted in your mouth and potatoes that tasted like butter. Of course we also had all of the traditional appetizers as well as shish kebab. Finally, my favorite. A man was making a traditional bread called shrak. I am not sure how to spell it, but that is how it is pronounced. It is cooked on a hot metal dome, and it looks kind of like lavash except that it is round and chewy. I would eat it every day if I could. I wish I could.
At the end of the night, after our bellies were full, our bodies danced out, and our hearts full of laughter, we all laid around with the lights off to enjoy the stars. No one could keep quiet, but it made the experience even more fun. PhillyBoy and I saw two shooting stars together, and I made my wishes. I hope they come true.
The evening ended with everyone on the Jeeps back to our bus, chatting about what a magical evening it was. Like little kids who have played all day in the community pool, when we got on the bus to head back to the hotel we all fell asleep.
When I awoke, I wondered.. was it a dream? Or did I really just experience magic in the desert?
Previous Jordan posts:
Planes, Cars & Family
Jerash & Figs
I miss the Dead Sea
Karak Photo Shoot
Petra, Jordan
Sunset in the Desert
*Note: Photos were taken by various members of our group.
24 Responses to “A Second Wedding Celebration”
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that last photo of you brought me to tears. you are so gorgeous and you just look so sublimely happy! congratulations (again :)) on the second celebration 🙂
Oh my holy goodnight. This is INCREDIBLE!!! You look like a full tale out of 101 Arabian nights! And what an incredible surprise to receive from your family- participating in a tradition with your husband that has been around for thousands of years in the very place that those traditions began. I am misty looking at these pictures…absolutely gorgeous.
sabrina these photos are breathtaking! what an amazingly wonderful and magical experience. it really does seem like it is straight out of a dream. congrats to you lovely lady!
This looks like the most amazing experience- you’re a lucky lady!
Oh for goodness sakes…1,001 Nights. I was off by 900 nights.
Absolutely gorgeous photos! What a beautiful night (and memory!)
This looks so amazing! Congrats.
What a magical evening you had! Thanks for sharing. Mabrouk!!!!
@Jacqui, Shukran!
Amazing! They really know how to party, huh?? The location, the dancers, and the food all look awesome. I want that bred!
Wow! What a night! That last picture of you is so great. You look so happy 🙂
Just beautiful! What an experience. When your father would say he was going to Jordan, I don’t know what I pictured in my head, but it definitely wasn’t this! Breathtaking!!
no words.
totally amazing- what an incredible celebration
you and pb make such a beautiful couple and that last picture is GORGEOUS
congratulations on your second wedding <3
xoxo
Wow what a fabulous celebration! It really does look like something out of the movies and you are truly radiant in the last picture! I wish you and PB many many years of happiness!
Incredible! I’m sure it feels like the most fantastical dream you’ve ever had. Thankfully you have the awesome photos to remember such a unique celebration.
I spent a month in Jordan last summer, for an archaeological field school at Petra (one of my majors was in classical archaeology, so I actually got school credit for it, yeah!).
I fell completely in love with Jordan. We stayed with a Bedouin family, and even got to attend a few weddings. The weddings were amazing. I just remember having dozens of children literally crawling all over me and being taught how to properly shake my hips (you’d think my dad being North African and all I’d know how, but 21 years in North America made me loose my booty-shaking abilities).
This looks like such a wonderful night and make me miss Jordan.
@Maissa, Thank you so much for your comment! Were you there with Brown University? We always stop by their site to say hello!
Wow that is awesome! It looks like such a great time!
I don’t even have words for what an amazing experience that must have been. And what a loving and generous family you have! They put so much thought and care (and expense, I imagine) into celebrating your marriage. I’m somewhat envious of your family and the strong ties you all have to one another.
Both you and pb look so happy together and the celebration just looks amazing!! Happy 2nd wedding you both.
PS Isaac, my boyfriend, was in Israel at the same time you were in Jordan and stayed at a Bedouin camp as well. The whole experience sounds phenomenal.
So beautiful!
WOW! so beautiful and amazing!! What a celebration. Congrats!!!
Congrats to you both! These are amazing pictures, and so glad you had a great time!!! You both deserve all the happiness!!!
That is so sweet! What a cool adventure. You look so happy 🙂