Wedding part 2!

Our first meal in Brazil (São Paulo airport): Bob's Ovaltine thick (make it extra bold thick, creamy and crunchy) shake, with two toasted sandwiches! Yeeeeaaaah!

Connexion time in SP went by quite quickly and customs didn't ask to check our bags (phew!). What took really long was for our bags to come out on the belt in Brasilia - ghee! Mum, dad, Sis and auntie Sueli were there happily waiting for us at the gate, the sun was shining really hot upon us and the air felt drastically dry. Yes, this feels like home!

We had a really busy week ahead, with a few uninvited extras.. I'll try to summarise it:

Monday: double attempt to find a dry cleaner that would steam and press my wedding dress for the pre-wedding photo shoot the next day. Failed. Photo shoot with creased dress it is. Stayed home with family mostly eating and enjoying each-other's company. :)

Tuesday: Katie's makeup and hair trial followed by bridal/artistic photoshoot around town. Paul stayed home feeling unwell and doing some wedding and honeymoon-planning work. In the evening we were out for dinner at our dear cousins' place. Paul can't really eat (it must be a heat stroke?).

Wednesday: Paul wakes up at 5.45am spewing. Katie and dad drag him to hospital. About 6 hours and 3 litres of drip later, the result: Paul has got Dengue fever..! :( Katie cries like a baby but the doctor says he'll be ok in time to attend and have a few glasses of champagne at the wedding. Oh dear..! Hydration is the remedy, the doctor says. Hydration it is, then! Paul stays home re-hydrating and Katie is out for her Lingerie Shower (yes!! In Brazil us brides have a Lingerie Shower - it's one of the most awesome inventions of all wedding-party-time)! My bridesmaids put up an incredible party for me, with decorations and all, plus a belly dancing class!! :) it was great to see everyone and catch-up as well.

Thursday: coconut water and Hydralite are the new beer for Paul. Today is Katie's mum's surprise 60th bday party! Paul stays home resting and hyper-hydrating himself. Katie and everyone else are out and about getting things ready for the party (oh, and for the wedding too - wash wedding dress that was trashed in the photo shoot, pay suppliers, call the bank 'cause I have to pay so many different people that the daily transfer limit won't be enough, call suppliers to explain that I'd love to pay them if the bank would let me). Surprise party was a success - except that it wasn't really that much of a surprise - someone gave it away and mum knew we were up to something all along..!

Friday: the big day's eve..! A few last-minute arrangements/paying of suppliers, wrapping of bridal party gifts. Then, pick-up Shepi at the airport - our good friend who just arrived from England, specially for our wedding. :D A sneaky afternoon beer was well deserved and enjoyed, followed by the wedding rehearsal! Another quick beer with the other two gringos who have come for our big day (our beloved Luke & Errie) and we're good to split-up: Katie heads to the hotel with Sis, Paul stays at mum's.
Now we're only 1 sleep away!! :D