Wedding party

I recieved an email from my Japan friend I meet in OZ (Aussie Slang lass for those keeping score)

She was getting married and she was pregnant. I was so happy for her. She had moved away to Nagoya but was returning to Osaka for a post-wedding celebration with her husbands friend. Did I want to come?

Those that know me realise that I'm not the most socially graceful person. But a chance to see her again and observe a more intimate gathering of friends, I felt like Id regret not showing up.

The day arrived. I had looked up the Latan-Peruvian resturant and attempted to replicate the crude map on the back of a napkin before throwing on a pin-strip suit and leaving. I got into Umeda with 5 minutes to spare.

I stood in the busy station area, looking lost, confused. At this hour, the information booths were closed. The large map on the wall, despite having english named streets criss-crossing it, refused to divulge the location. I sprinted into a hotel and got some basic directions in Japanese. Every few blocks, I confirmed that I was heading in the right direction. Finally I found it.

She was standing outside and a fine pink dress.
"Go ahead up, I'm waiting for a friend," she said. "Oh, you maybe shocked," she added, "its fancy dress."

Indeed it was. Power Rangers ran around the room next to pro-wrestlers and monks.

Power Rangers

It was an open bar and after a few speeches and congratulatory toast, the food was served. I filled my plate with green rice, corn chips and avocado, spicy chicken, prawns and other strange looking food I wasnt prepared to commit past a bite or 2.

We watched a beautiful presentation of photos set to soft music. Starting as children, they both grew before my eyes. The room danced next as one of the staff came out with a guitar and sang an accoustic version of La Bamba.

La Bamba

At one point, the new bride said her hubby and friends would perfrom a dance in their suit-suits. For a second, I though she meant birthday suits but before clarifing, the groom with his backup dances had stripped down to blue speedos and started gyrating. Everyone not performing had wipped out a camera, mobile phone or both to capure the routine.

Groom Dance

The night continued with much drinking and laughing. We sang Country Road acappella style; while sombre it still seemed deep and stirring. Gifts were exchanging and some beautiful speeches were given (despite not understanding it too well, it still managed to bring a tear to my eye). The night ended with a big dance, many laughs and many cheerful faces as we spilled out into the neon-lit streets and scattered into the crowds.