Marriage
I am so excited! I’m getting married to him so soon now! I’m not allowed to say his name, so I just refer to him as ‘him’. I can’t wait until the wedding. I hope he’s really handsome. And nice too! After Sibi, and selling Guluband, (I’m still not sure why Shabanu is that worked up about it, but I’m being nice to her anyway) we might even have enough for my dowry! It would have been so embarrassing if I didn’t have the dowry. My family would never be able to forget it. But even if we didn’t have a big dowry, I’m sure “HE” is nice enough and won’t mind. Auntie is so worked up about having to pay a dowry. She keeps on telling my dear Mama, “If you had sons then we wouldn’t have to go through so much trouble!” (pg3) I’m never going to have do do any of that. She already has two sons, and she has an unborn baby who will probably be a son too the way her luck is going. I’m so nervous about the wedding. I don’t even know what I’m going to wear. We are going to Yazman soon, and I will get to see “HIM”. And Shabanu will get to see Murad. Murad his “HIS” younger brother. Shabanu will be married to him a year after I am married to “HIM”. I’m not sure what will happen after the wedding though. Hopefully all good things. . .
How to survive a sandstorm.
She yanks the quilt away, and suddenly my skin is pierced with a thousand needles. The wind is howling around us. I can’t see anything, but I can tell by the sound that it’s a monstrous sandstorm, the kind few living things without protection survive.” (pg110). The recent storm was devastating. Sadly, it took grandfather with it. A sandstorm is caused by wind in really sandy areas. If the wind is fast enough, it takes all the sand with it, blowing it everywhere. The sand can get anywhere between ten feet and fifty feet high. The minimum is about double my height! They can move incredibly fast, and they’re on you in a blink of an eye. They can travel up to twenty five miles per hour! Almost all sandstorms happen in deserts. Which means that they happen near us a lot. In a sandstorm, it is really important to either be inside, or cover your eyes mouth nose and ears to prevent sand from getting in. Also, you should gather as much water as you can and bring it inside so that your toba doesn’t get completely covered in sand. Bring it in pots inside, and save as much as you can from the sand. “She yanks the quilt away, and suddenly my skin is pierced with a thousand needles. The wind is howling around us. I can’t see anything, but I can tell by the sound that it’s a monstrous sandstorm, the kind few living things without protection survive.” (pg110). If you follow all of these tips, you will have a much better chance of surviving these terrible disasters!
If I was you, Phulan, I would be really nervous. You’ve been so calm. How do you do that?
Shabanu- I am so proud for you and so excited I am going to miss you a lot. He is a very good man. “Hamir is noble and strong and handsome.”
Oh you’re so thoughtful Shabanu! Thank you!
Gulaband has been with us our whole lives. I tend to him, and herd him. I have been doing this while you prepare for your wedding so of course I am worked up! I have to take care of themw while you do house work. He was one of my best Friends! THAT IS WHY I AM “WORKED UP”- Shabanu
“I turn at the sound of Guluban’s bracelets. It’s Phulan, wrapped inside her black chadr, bringing me chapatis and milk tea. She’s in her own world these day’s caught up in plans for the wedding, wanting to know everything about Hamir and his family, and totally un interested in her chores.” Pg 21
Really Shabanu? A CAMEL, is your best friend?
Auntie: Heh, I bet Hamir is as ugly as a rug.
Well its not like you would take any time to play with me, even think about me. While I am forced to think about you! I get you gifts and in return you chat about your wedding? – Shabanu “I know he’s right, so we sit down to choose which is better embroidery.” Pg 74
Shabanu, do you know how much stress I am going through? I’m sorry, but I’m trying.
That does not mean everything must be about you! “She’s in her own world these day’s caught up in plans for the wedding, wanting to know everything about Hamir and his family, and totally un interested in her chores.” Pg 21
Mama: Children please settle down. You guys are such good friends. Remember when you used to take care of the camels. Page 24 “Phulan beat our sticks against there sides with all our might.”
Well if you were getting married, everything would be about you wouldn’t it? But you wouldn’t know would you?
Nicely done!
Well at least I am doing work, not preparing to live with someone!
Well you spend all your time being with camels not working!!!!!!!!!!!
Not working!? I herd them! I feed them! I gave birth to a baby camel who was going to die along with his mother!
You didn’t give birth! You just delivered the baby! And that was before. I could do all of that stuff in my sleep!
Shabanu is right, Phulan. She does all the work, although you have an excuse since it’s nearly your wedding. Also, you probably don’t even remember how to work with the camels.
Well that isn’t my job is it Dadi? And who’s side are you on? Don’t you want Hamir to like me?
I do want Hamir to like you, but maybe you could help out a little bit more. Shabanu is doing all the work, and you don’t need 3 months of nothing to look good for Hamir.
Not 3 months.
I men’t to say that! I still fought off vultures. While you were weaving and drinking tea talking about your wedding! I had to pull the baby out. While hitting and smacking vultures, watching them eat the mother alive.
You didn’t even touch the vultures! They were just hovering above you. And with all your camel herding and work, you’d think they wouldn’t fight like Tipu and Kalu!
“Waving my arms and beating at the great bald-necked vultures that have gathered at the camel’s head.” Pg. 14
You didn’t do anything. Just waved your arms!