(Thanks to Mercedes there is a Spanish translation / Clic aquí para la traducción al español)

Friday June 3rd, 2011. I slowly open my eyes. The serenading traffic outside tells me I’m in Mexico. Funny how everything here has its own melody, from men to women to churches to lyrical cars. Mercedes and Pieter went to Mexico City last night to welcome their international guests. I decided to stay in Puebla to scout locations for tomorrow’s wedding. I slowly walk to my window, still a bit disoriented from the jet-lag. I look outside. WOW!!! Before me is the historical centre of Puebla. But that is not the thing that wakes me up. Behind the city lies Popocatépetl, also affectionately called ‘Popo’ by the locals. And just this morning, I watch him erupt with a vigor the locals haven’t seen in a long time. Mary assures me that evening it’s an auspicious sign. Nothing to worry about, tradition has it when Popo erupts, good things happen. Read More »

Another failed rain forecast. No need for plan B! The sun is shining, people are smiling. Everybody is gathered on the lawn under the enormous fig tree overlooking Watson’s Bay.
The music starts to play. A song by Yann Tiersen from the movie Amélie. Perfect. Everybody turns to look at the doorway.
From my vantage point I can see them inching closer. I wonder how Nick will react to all the attention – he doesn’t seem the type to be very comfortable with all that. I see Viv whisper something to him (the doorway frames them perfectly, I click).
And then they come out together. Viv smiles and looks around. She is absolutely radiant. And at first Nick glances at the ground, but then he looks at her. Maybe it is this, maybe it is seeing the encouraging smiles of their friends and families, but he starts beaming. And continues to do so for the rest of the day! Read More »