Thursday, the BIG day!
Today was the big day - Ilana and Gabe's wedding day! It started off a little slower though, with me sleeping in until about 11am. Hillary and I just kinda hung out in the living room chatting a little, and we had plans for lunch, but we didn't really finally get moving until 12:15pm.
Hil and I were going to get steak, but by the time we caught the #29 bus to the Marina, we were HUNGRY and decided to eat at the Chinese place that we found by smell :). They had a great deal, a whole meal (soup, egg roll, main dish, rice, and dessert) for 45 shekel, so we each got a dish (she got sweet and sour chicken; I got sesame chicken) and shared it. It was actually really good and we enjoyed it quite a bit (who knew fried pineapple would taste so good!?).
After eating, we went to the Arena Mall and I bought a new white shirt (since I had gotten a spot on the other one, the one I was planning on wearing to the wedding). So we went to Fox, got me a white tank top and a cute pink sweater, and walked around for another little bit. I bought a fake engagement and wedding ring to wear when I go out so guys don't bother me, and then we headed back to the apartment so that I could get ready and leave for the wedding.
We got back. I changed, did my hair, packed up my stuff, and took the bus to the hotel. The party started at 7, and I got there by 6:45pm or so. Saba (Auntie Clara's dad) saw me and got upset that I didn't say hi, so I went up and hugged him.
Amira found me and Julie and said that Ilana was freaking out upstairs, and she needed us to go up with her until it was time to come down for the Chuppah. So Julie and I went up there, and Ilana was sitting on the edge of the bed so her dress wouldn't wrinkle or anything. She was trying not to panic so Julie and I (mostly me) told bad jokes and chatted with her.
Finally, Amira came up to get her (Chuppah was supposed to be at 8p but it was running about 15 minutes behind, which is really good for Israelis) and we went downstairs, at Ilana's request so that we could try some sushi (for Gabe) and see the "angels". Julie and I were told to sit in the front row, and I started getting a little nervous... I got a glass of red wine and sat in the first row, closest to the Chuppah. There were four "angels," two at the start of the aisle, and two in front of the chuppah (for Gabriel, because of his name). They were blowing bubbles and every time a new procession started, there was a shofar that blew. I cried the whole time... Ilana's savta and saba walked Gabe down, and when Ilana came down the aisle, she looked gorgeous.
The speeches by the rabbi, chazan, and Auntie Clara were so touching, and when Gabe said the words and broke the glass, it was amazing.... Then fireworks went off!!! There were fireworks and a decent amount of them! It was so wonderful that I really had, and still do not have, any words for it.
All the cousins kept kissing each other and me, and wishing mazal tov. Hugs and kisses all around, and FINALLY we got inside. The inside was gorgeous as well, with ALL these tables and there was a rose behind each chair (Auntie Clara's idea). I was sitting at the front table, and there was a singer singing these Israeli songs while people filed in. The four "angels" then came in, but were changed into belly dancing costumes (they kept changing all night - into cha-cha dresses, skintight unitards, etc).
The shofar blew and the announcer declared that the couple was here.... Ilana and Gabe came in to the room, and there were some speeches, by Auntie Clara, Saba, and Gabe. It was so great. Then we ate while the dancers kept us entertained. There was SO MUCH food! All sorts! Meats and veggies and fruits and salads and olives and pickles! I filled up different plates and ate what I could, because right afterwards, we all started dancing for a bit.
Ilana had a special dance with Gabe, then a special dance with her dad, and then she danced with her husband while Uncle Arthur danced with Auntie Clara.... After that, the dancing did not stop until well after midnight.
There was a traveling bar, where they kept bringing us drinks on the dance floor. Even Uncle Arthur, Auntie Clara, Saba, Savta, and Yisrael were dancing. There was a log they brought out with drinks in the top, and they made us go under it limbo-style.
We danced for SO long (I took no breaks) that I completely missed the dessert table that had a chocolate fountain and an ice sculpture of a bride and groom. I kept taking pictures of people dancing, and showing them to the photographer (and he'd show me his pics).. it was funny.
There was so much dancing. Non-stop. Toward the end of the night, people started leaving and giving kisses. Eventually it was only the Gaba kids, Gabe, Julie, and myself and we danced to some American music (southern music, including Cotton Eyed Joe) - it was so funny and we all had a blast! We kept going until they turned the lights on. Apparently, Uncle Arthur said the dancers were on the side at that point, watching us dance.
The night finally ended and we all went up to our rooms. I showered (the best-feeling shower EVER), and Julie and I went to Ron and Amira's room. Amira passed out on the couch, Julie passed out on the bed, and Ron and I ended up talking for almost an hour, while walking something like the home shopping network. It was hilarious.
We finally went to sleep in our own rooms, while knowing we had to get up for breakfast by 9:30am...