Getting there was pretty crazy... It was one of those rare and stressful occasions where it's a matter of minutes between missing or making the flight. (Curse you, Auckland road construction!!!!) Definitely think Xanax and wine should be complimentary on flights. Just saying.
This past winter in Auckland was in the record books for one of the coldest and wettest winters in history. When I stepped off the plane, I almost peed myself from excitement of being in 80 degree weather. (You think I'm kidding or exaggerating things a little bit, but I can assure you I am not.)
The cathedral in Apia is pretty spectacular, actually... |
The wedding was the next day. We were staying at the same hotel as the bride. She hired a hair and makeup artist for her wedding party and invited us to get glammed which was pretty cool. Not too much you can do with curly half-fro hair in the tropics, but hey, just add a little Samoan flower clip and you're good as!
Me & Wifey! |
So I actually have this thing with shellfish where I'm half allergic? I'm fine if I eat a few pieces of shrimp, but anything more than that and I spend the evening in stomach SOS mode. I'd say that's pretty much what happened halfway through the night. I chilled by the porta potties for a good hour or so until I felt marginal again. (Samoans are so kind, guys... Almost everyone that went pee stopped and asked if I was okay. If I was in the US, I could be curled up in a ball dying and I might get a sympathetic nod. Arizonans are SO MEAN.)
I think there must have been at least 500 people there... The bride was expecting nearly 700. (How???) There were even pictures of the event in the local magazines the next day. Now that's some feat if ya ask me!
I guess at some point we made it back to the hotel and passed out... Little fuzzy on the details. The next day we had an awesome brunch and then zipped over to the other side of the island for a week of tropical island bliss.
Samoan weddings are pretty awesome. Highly recommend.
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