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In a Strange Land
Party Time (or some people never learn)
By Larry J. Pitman
Even after two years in Peru we are still not into the swing of things.
Not too long ago, we were invited to a wedding and party. I like to go to these events. First of all, it is still inspiring to see young couples pledging their love and starting a new life together. I guess that I am still a romantic. Perhaps a more honest reason is that the food is great, and the parties are lots of fun. I like an occasional glass of wine, but usually limit it to one or two for the evening.
 The invitation for the wedding said church ceremony at 7:30 PM with reception and party (separate events) immediately after. I was going to another dinner before that and had the prospect of lots of food during the evening. My wife was only going to the wedding. So, early in the evening she provided herself with a bowl of delicious menestrone. I declined, thinking of the food filled evening. Mistake. Mistake.
I went to my dinner, but no food. They didn't serve before I had to leave. Actually I only had time to enjoy a Pisco Sour before joining my wife at the wedding reception. Once I arrived at the reception, I was immediately served a glass of champagne which I imbibed while chatting with friends. After a while, my wife said “Let's go on to the party.”
Then, we got our driver to take us to the party. We took our time, but we were still one of the first to arrive.
It was an elegant, even lavish, event. Drinks started to arrive. One was a multi-colored tall glass with different fruit juices and vodka. I thought that it was mostly juice. Then came the traditional Pisco Sour. Shortly afterward, someone opened the bottle of Johnny Walker Black Label that was on each table. Again, to be polite, I took a little of the Scotch with lots of water.
However, all this, plus the champagne at the reception made an interesting mix in my stomach. Time passed. About 11:30--- some hours after our arrivalthe bride and groom arrived. They danced and then the families danced. Except for some small hors d'ouvres, no food was in sight. We had arranged for a taxi to pick us up at midnightthinking that the party would be pretty well finished by then. Actually, it was just starting. Another mistake.
Because we had an appointment at 7:00 AM the next morning, we decided to take the taxi home, much to the dismay of our friends. I felt ok, even though I had not eaten anything since lunch.
We got home and got ready for bed. I lay down, and the room started going around. I had to sit up. I lay down again, but there was no way I could actually be prone. I then retreated to upstairs where I sat in a chair, upright, for the next five hours until I felt that the room would stay in one place, and I could go to bed. .I don't want to remember how I felt the next day.
They say that an intelligent person can learn from painful lessons. That is what I intend to do. When the invitation says exact hour or hora inglesa, I will ignore that. I will plan mentally and physically for a long evening. Therefore, from now on, I will take that bowl of delicious menestrone before beginning my evening. I will get plenty of rest before the party. I will also tell the taxi to pick us up at 2:00 AM or even later. Then I will be ready. Let's party!
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