KAMPUNG WEDDING FEAST IN MODERN STYLE

As usual wedding feasts sprang by leaps and bounds during the school holiday seasons. I had seven invitations yesterday at several locations within a 20 kilometers radius of Kampong Gajah.

I had planned to go to all seven venues with my lady friends, so at 10.30 sharp seven of us packed ourselves in my brand new 4x4 and headed to our first destination. When we arrived some of the wedding guests were already enjoying the attractive spreads. An emcee somewhere announced our arrivals cos there were two VIPs among us, one a local legislator. That was very flattering, of course!

Now for the food. There was a tantalising spread, with kari tulang, rendang ayam and the never-to-be-missed pecal. Only the meal was served buffet style. I loved buffets especially at hotel restaurants and cafes.............. but at a kenduri ? I am not so much in favour. You see we ladies are all dressed up, so to go to the buffet table and dish out your own curry could be quite risky. Then there is the balancing act to the table with a dish load of food in one hand and a glass of syrup in the other amidst pebbles and loose sands. By the time we reach our table half the fun of eating is gone. Well, anyway we do not go to wedding feasts just to eat but to reciprocate our goodwill and sillaturrahim , right ?

We then moved on to the next feast on the list. As we progressed, we gradually decreased our load from the buffet table. And yes, all the feasts were served buffet style. I had VIP treatment though at Pak Abu's place where I was invited to the main table to eat with the newly weds.

All in all, the day's kenduri was fine but I don't really approve of this buffet style thing at wedding feasts. It somehow robbed me of the nostalgic mood of being in a kampong kenduri. This new arrangement reminds me so much of the hectic city life. And most of all I miss the pampering and extras that come with the old style of serving.

Guess I must be getting too old for kampong wedding feasts!