When Visiting the Queen...

When visiting the Queen, one must ensure they:

1. Have washed behind their ears (because she'll surely check)

2. Have polished their shoes until they are shiny and reflective like two, personal mirrors at foot level (useful for checking if the Queen is pulling faces at you since you won't be able to look her in the eye- I hear you have to bow in her presence)

3. Are wearing clothes (the Queen despises nudity)

4. Take a snack (the Queen is on a strict diet and will be your best friend if you give her a nice treat to eat between meals)


I, of course did not know any of these rules, and so, when we reached Windsor on a bright and sunny Thursday morning, we were not allowed an audience with the Queen and so had to make do with being touristy outside her gates.


Having spent the past three months in Dundee and not having much time to go shopping with Ammi, it was brilliant spending this time together :) After a while, we were even joined by Meher and hilarity ensued- Meher and I have no shame and love to embarrass Ammi as much as we can in public. God help us when she does the same to us. Between comparing the darkness of our Henna, (Old Wive's Tale No.57: The darker your henna, the more your mother-in-law will love you) making demented faces after a coffee buzz and pretending to be stuck between two phone booths, we managed to do get some presents for friends.

During this time, Abbi was contacting the Meher and I, relating the latest news from the card printer (DUMB BUM). Quick update: I did his job for him and sent him three versions of each file so he could adjust them as required. He sent back an e-mail asking me to adjust the size of each file (THE CHEEK OF IT!!!!) Long story short, Abbi handled it and knowing how good his taste is, we asked him to pick out the final design for the wedding cards. His impeccable taste in people, (marrying Mother Dear) jewellery (picks out the best and knows who would like/suit what) and food (chocolate) made him the perfect choice to choose the cards :) (Told you he was the best Dad ever) So after a few phone calls and numerous texts, we can confirm that THE CARDS ARE ORDERED AND ARE ON THEIR WAY. Huzzah!

Once Meher dropped us off, we mentally and physically prepared ourselves for the Mehendi in the evening. We dressed up to the nines and as I told Suzanne the next day- "It was the most Pakistani I looked in over three years!"

Pictures will follow, I promise.

We ordered a taxi to take us to the event; it was lucky they sent a driver as well, we didn't know the way :P As we drove to Nina's house, Ammi endeavoured to make conversation with the driver- it went from talking in English, to Urdu/Punjabi, asking about where we/he came from, to our reason for visiting smelly London, to politics. The last thing you want to talk about when on your way to a wedding event. Tony Blair. And not even just politics- out of date politics.

The Mehendi was fun- filled with music, food, emotion, conversation, dancing and more food. Ammi and I got back to the travelodge way past our bedtime and decided to have a lie in the next day.

Thursday 24th April

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