A wedding!

On Saturday we were having a drink with some new friends - Americans newly arrived in the village as well, with a little daughter at the school - when we heard a ruckus coming from the main road into town. Hooting, tooting, beeping, and so forth, at first quite distant, but getting closer and closer. We raced out onto the balcony in time to see what appeared to be a bridesmaid and groomsman sitting up in a convertible, followed by lots of other vehicles with white ribbons tied around their antennae, making as much noise as possible. How sweet, we thought, a village wedding.

But wait, there's more. No sooner had we gone back inside and settled down at the table again, than we heard music. Could it be an unscheduled announcement from the Mairie (town hall), which is often preceded by some stirring patriotic sounding music? No, it sounds like a real band, and it's getting closer. Back out onto the balcony again, cameras out ... yes, it was a traditional post-wedding parade through the village, band, wedding party, plus all the guests. Everyone looked like they were having a great time, and I'm sure it made the happy couple's day to have a bunch of foreigners cheering and waving at them and taking their pictures!