Wedding day arrived, Saturday 10 August, and Billy and I started the day with an early morning run to nearby Druid Hill Park. Despite all our walking, the increased intensity of jogging was a bit of a jolt to the system! But it was beautiful to be up early and exploring a new part of the town, that we wouldn't have seen otherwise.
We still had a few hours in the morning free, so Billy and I joined Sean (my boss from last year) on a whirlwind trip to Washington DC to check out the monuments, and have a healthy lunch with Todd (another friend from Mongolia) in George Town. We gazed up in admiration at Lincoln, were quietened by the Korean War Memorial, took in Martin Luther King's strong and motivating words, admired the scaffolding of the Washington Obelisk, were disappointed that the President hadn't stayed home to say hello, and learnt about the controversial "Black Gash" Vietnam War Memorial.
We made it back to Baltimore in plenty of time to get ready for the wedding, and were soon sitting amongst the sculptures of the Baltimore Museum of Art. Tuugi's flower girls raced around in white and pink playing and giggling. Friends met and milled about. We greeted Taylor (my housemate and great friend from last year) and her fiance Ryan with big smiles and hugs. It was all very relaxed.
Accompanied by a traditional Canon in D, following her bright and happy bridesmaids, Tuugi walked out with her mother looking both stunning and elegant. She and Puje linked hands as their good friend Dr Ayra led them through the service in both English and Mongolian.
Dr Ayra read a moving poem (in Mongolian, so unfortunately it was lost on me!) written by his father, a well respected Mongolian historian, and Tuugi and Puje lit a tulga together (small fire used to light the stove in the centre of a ger, the most important item to life in cold Mongolia), a Mongolian tradition.
The rest of the night was a lovely evening of impromptu speeches from guests interspersed with plenty of conversation with old and new friends. There was no doubt that Tuugi and Puje are a wonderful couple, with independent strengths but a strong sense of togetherness.
They started up the dance floor with some very cool dance moves, and it was far too soon before we were having cake and saying good bye. A really lovely wedding, we couldn't have been happier for Tuugi and Puje!
The rest of the night was a lovely evening of impromptu speeches from guests interspersed with plenty of conversation with old and new friends. There was no doubt that Tuugi and Puje are a wonderful couple, with independent strengths but a strong sense of togetherness.
They started up the dance floor with some very cool dance moves, and it was far too soon before we were having cake and saying good bye. A really lovely wedding, we couldn't have been happier for Tuugi and Puje!
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