"The Wedding" ~ October 2002
The Marriage of Colin and Sue at Tena Tena
Colin and Sue arrived from the UK to get married on the banks of the Luangwa. It was a wonderful wedding - a very special day - but not without a few incidents on the way! I have full permission to relate the whole story to you.
Colin and Sue had never been to Africa. So we thought it was quite brave of Colin to arrange for Sue, as a surprise, to stay at Kawaza Village the night before the wedding. We all hoped that he knew her very well. They had just completed their 3 day walk (Nsefu Walking Trails) and while Colin stayed at Nsefu his wife-to-be was delivered to the "secret destination", Kawaza. I met her there and I have to say, she was a little surprised. I offered her the alternative of staying at Nkwali but Sue is amazing - very relaxed and took it all in her stride. After an hour, the distant clouds had become the blackest, darkest horizon.
I asked our village host, Obi, "will it rain?" "No" he says with confidence.
Within a few minutes we are now in the most amazing sand storm as the wind rushes through the villages. And did it rain! Sue and I sat in a mud hut watching a tropical storm through the door and an hour later the village was awash. There was now no alternative bed at Nkwali. We would not get out of the Village in the mud.
We were happy; chatting away - watching the most incredible lightening show. And after a delicious local dinner we went to bed early.
The next morning the sky was clear and we visited the school. On the radio I told Kim at Tena Tena that we were fine and leaving soon to come up to camp to get ready for the wedding.
"Jo, there is a problem with tent 4".
"I'm with Sue" I quickly said. Tent 4 is the honeymoon tent.
"That must be my tent" Sue guessed.
"Yup - go and meet the kids, I will catch up".
In the storm a "flying" sausage had smashed into the loo in the open air bathroom - there was no spare tent until the evening.
"Do you think that Colin and Sue would mind staying at Nsefu." "Make a plan" I say, "they will not want to change plans at this late stage". And off we go.
The roads were wet and VERY muddy. The drive to Tena Tena was a slipping and sliding adventure and we arrive having had a mobile mud pack. Robin promptly gave us a gin and tonic (yes, at 8.30 in the morning).
Robin quietly said that we needed to check out the wedding location. I am surprised but off we go......there is a problem. There is a 2 week old lion carcass 20 meters from the "altar". And it stinks. We throw the remains into the river and spend an hour clearing up the very smelly soil and throwing disinfectant down. The smell abates.
The day is becoming a little surreal.....
Back at camp we make the bouquet, the altar decorations and generally prepare for the afternoon wedding. All is going well. Sue is getting emotional - it is really happening!
Father George and his lovely wife, Gloria, arrive. But Miss Lungu - the registrar - did not come! Ouch - her form makes the wedding legal. I do not see the funny side of this - we have reconfirmed her six times - but all of her bosses decided to go out and so she had to stay. Never mind - we will make a plan tomorrow and get her up (which we do). On on.....
I leave to set up the "church" but forget the scout. The site has feeding elephants. I start to feel the strain! I encourage them to move on and now we are late. We set up fast, keeping an eye open for the ellys, and the most beautiful "church" is created. The altar is right against the edge of the bank and we all look across the river and the sweeping view.
It was the most wonderful wedding. The bride looked beautiful, the setting was superb, the choir sang well and the cake was delicious. And the Champagne was French!
The only moment......
"Will you, Colin, take Carol to be your ......."
Pause
"The name is Sue, Father"
We all laugh!
