sunday, october 12 & monday october 13

before going to sleep, Ir had come in to chat with M and I. she and her fiancee had planned some sort of dinner, but M and i were so tired from our voyage to the west coast, we passed out early. we did promise to join Ir at the spa at 9am for mudbaths. Ir seemed really surprised and pleased by this - we (M, P and i) were surprised by this since its customary for the girls to do something girly before the wedding day, plus none of us had had mudbaths before. it would be something fun to do.

not being used to california time, M and I woke up at 5am, california time, which is 8am atlanta time. we watched tv some, napped some, it was awful being awake when everyone else was asleep. Ir came to our room and we all walked over to the spa. now i should mention that all weekend we were either dressed or in these cream colored long huge spa robes. everyone staying at indian springs in calistoga wears these things. i don't normally walk around in my robe, let alone walk from spa to pool to room (which in total is 2 blocks) in it, but it became second nature to all of us.

the mudbath was interesting. first, its $85. second, you are completely naked during the whole thing. first, you take off all your clothes and put your robe on. one of the spa attendents leads you to this area where there are 4 concrete "containers" full of black mud. you take a shower before you get in. then, in front of everyone, butt ass naked, you sit on the ledge of the mud container, lay down on top of the mud (which is very thick and warm) and you flop yourself down. the attendent then takes handfuls of mud and plops a handful on each breast, then each of your legs, your stomach and then slathers it on you. then you sit for about 12 minutes in the mud. i am glad that we all four of us knew one another, as i don't think i could have been naked in front of a stranger for so long. after your 12 minutes, you are helped out of the container, into the shower. after the shower, you are taken to a clawfooted tub full of warm/hot water, where you sit for 10 minutes sipping the spa's signature cucumber/lemon water (delicious by the way!). then into the steam room for as long as you can stand it (which, for me and Ir, was not long) and then to a personal "stall" with a bed for a nap.

would i do it again? no, but i am glad i did it. honestly, i thought we were going to be in the mud for longer. meh. afterwards, Ir and i went to the "buddha pond" (which is just a relaxing area to go after your spa treatments. there is a buddha statue and a small pond, but it wasn't anything spectacularly spiritual). we sat there some and then she and i went back to the hotel, as there was a Georgian picnic (her family is from Georgia the country, not Georgia the state) at 2:30.

the picnic was crazy. Ir's parents are A W E S O M E. i've always been very fond of them. they brought in authentic Georgian food and we all sat around, talked and drank our asses off. parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends....everybody. such a good time. the picnic was out in the area behind our hotel rooms where there is a bocce court and a ping pong table, so we all challenged one another to several games. around 9pm (seven and a half drinking hours later), we all decide to go to the pool.

during the day, the pool is supposed to be a relaxing area for the guests of indian springs. it is an amazing spot. the water is very warm, almost hot, as it is fed by the resort's geyser. its truly a mineral pool. you can't drink or smoke anywhere near it. when it gets dark (9pm dark) you'd expect, those that are looking to relax to be in bed and not be bothered by the 30+ drunk, rowdy people (keep in mind we are all guests of the hotel too) coming in.

Ir, M, A and i are in the pool, swimming and talking and some lady comes over to us telling us that the pool is supposed to be a relaxing area for families, not intended for our foul mouths and disrespect. (honestly, i didn't even realize there was anyone else in the pool, let alone people with 12 year olds). it wasn't that she came over that made me upset, it was that she chose to use the same profanity she asked us to stop using to make her point. she was just so rude. i left shortly thereafter - before some 15 other people came - and went to bed.

monday, october 13: wedding day!

have i mentioned the weather yet? no? well its freezing in the morning in calistoga. FREEZING. the previous day, i'd gone walking along the Calistoga strip and bought myself a hat and a fleece (which i slept in) and i was still cold. now i know for next time: you need to pack winter clothes for the morning.

the previous day, Ir had asked me to be at the ceremony/reception site early (noon) to take pictures as part of her bridal party (she only had one bridesmaid, the maid of honor) and to help her get ready. i got ready at the hotel and rode over to the site with her father and brother. when i got to area where all the girls were getting ready, she was frantic, stressed, bitchy, you name it. i thought i'd seen my share of divas, but Ir can diva with the best of them. for real. finally, she liked her hair and her makeup (both of which i'd contributed to) and we went for pictures.

the ceremony itself was lovely. it is hard to describe the setting, but i did like that they faced us the entire time, the reverend was the one with his back to us. i thought we were going to see a few tears from the groom, but he held it in. the entire thing was very sweet. and of course, i cried.

the dinner was in this really cool cave room. literally a cave. it was almost sinister, but very cool. here is the wedding site: Hans Fahden

then there was your typical dancing to cheesy wedding music, a piece of (orange) wedding cake and throwing of the bouquet (which Ir managed to launch into the lighting fixture where it got stuck).

i took the shuttle bus home afterwards. i don't think i was the only one. i was just so exhausted. i needed to get up at 6am the next day and by this time, my body had made the adjustment to PST.