MelBob Squarepants I: Anak Mami

MelWedding
Swiped from williamnyk.

A year after my CNY trip to the Pearl of the Orient, I find myself there again attending Mel's wedding. Mum, SK and I flew there to attend the matrimonial mass at the Church of the Risen Christ and banquet at Bayview Hotel. Our taxi ride to town hit a snag as the chariot procession for Thaipusam was in full swing and traffic was affected. Mel put us up at the Bayview Hotel (so convenient, kan?) and I must say that it's a pretty good hotel. It's location on Farquhar Street makes it accessible to many nearby attractions and famous shrines to gluttony. It's a little old, but it doesn't look rundown. After checking in and freshening up, we immediately took a cab to the church at Air Hitam. Apparently, taxis don't go by the meter, so the trip there cost MYR30 (the trip from the airport cost MYR38). But the taxi driver was kind enough to stop at a few places for us to buy a quick lunch as we were famished! Ended up with some Tiger biscuits (the auntie at the petrol station wondered why I was so pitiful) and High5 buns. We were the earliest arrivals, even earlier than the choir group! By 3:00pm, most had come. Mass started half an hour later. Mel was dressed in a beautiful sleeveless white gown that kinda skirted the dress code. :P. She gave me the honour of doing the second reading and it was from St Paul's Letter to the Ephesians-- a wife without blemish! (so much pressure) It was a hot day, so people were sweating and makeup was melting. Bobby was sweating so profusely that I thought he was wiping tears out of his eyes. Before you know it (after a blur of wedding vows and rites), they were joined in holy matrimony. The cameraman had them kiss thrice before he got the perfect shot. Hehe.

During the mass, I was acquainted with Mami, one of Mel's good friends from the office who drove all the way down with her husband. She was cool and easy-going for a mother of four and I took an immediate liking to her. She was kind enough to drop us off at our hotel. But before that, we tried a famous asam laksa near Kek Lok Si. On our way back, we managed to catch a glimpse of the chariot procession. Along the route, shops built temporary shrines, and the chariot would make a short stop for offerings to be exchanged. Following the chariot was a tractor and several trucks to cart away the mounds of smashed coconuts! (wonder if they end up as santan) Back at the hotel, we rested a while before going for a swim. The pool was really small and with at most 5 strokes, you'd be at the other end. The nearer you are, the later you turn up. We only entered the banquet hall at 7:30pm though we just stayed upstairs. The buffet dinner started half an hour later. Mel was dressed in a stunning red saree with all her gold on display. The food was kinda nice and entertainment was provided by a couple of singers and several relatives who were all too keen to showcase their Elvis and Tom Jones impersonations. But don;t get me wrong, it was entertaining. The usual traditions were observed-- cake-cutting (Bobby's face was really miang when he ate the piece of cake that Mel fed him), toasting and speeches. Mel's dad gave a great story about his first meeting with Bobby. Beautifully summarized:

Mel's mum: I like him.
Mel: I love him.
Mel's dad: We'll have him!

Believe it or not, after the dinner, we took up Mami's offer to go the night market at Batu Ferringhi for some shopping. We lingered for a while, bought some DVDs and left by midnight as were all quite pooped. The next day was more free and easy...