Israeli Wedding In Salli

The plan of hosting a party in Salli was getting difficult due to police restrictions. So there came a new workaround which was creating a wedding ceremony of two Israeli couples from the group and then has our party in disguise as the post-wedding party. We already had a couple who had volunteered to get married for the sake of the party. Avior had brought 2 big speakers, backup batteries and Dj mixer the previous night through jeep. We all went down to carry those heavy objects at night and also tested them once we reached home. They were perfect to host a grand party whose beats could be heard in nearby villages. Avior had invited around 40 people to the party and we were prepared to host those many people. It was also the independence day of Israel so the party was going to a grand one.

The next day everybody got up early and started decorating the house. At that time we were 15 people in the house and everyone had their own tasks to complete. Three girls were painting flags of India and Israel on a white cloth which was to be hung high to show love and peace between these two nationals. The Dj lineup was written on a cloth and tied to a Pilar. The Dj room and his mixer were covered with some cloths supported by sticks. Noor would love to act like a Dj and was often seen near the mixer. The open ground on the second step was covered with large sheets for the shade as that was our dance floor. A big poster was made, written on it was Freedom Valley Wedding. Enough food was cooked and we had filled all the drinking water pots and bottles from the mountain stream. The music had started in the morning and all the villagers were curious to know what was going on in our place.

Soon the guests started coming in. The wedding ceremony was completed beautifully where the bride and the groom were enjoying sitting on their friend's shoulders. A ritual of breaking the glass was replaced by breaking a plastic bottle as the glass wasn't available. And then the real party started. Those Israeli backpackers in their 20s were having a blast and going crazy while dancing. One could see people dancing everywhere in the house, on the ground, on the balcony. Village kids would sit on the stairs of the bridge in front of our house, looking in awe at the scene they had never seen before. Some villagers looked shocked while some were enjoying through their eyes sitting far away. As the sun was setting down we started witnessing more and more Israelis coming to the party.

The word of mouth was spread across Dharamkot that there was a grand party happening in Salli. People just flew to Salli even without the care of invitation. Once the private party was turned into a full-size public party. At the end of the day, there were 100 people in the house. The kitchen was open for all so the formality was dropped long back. Everyone was carrying their food and drinks so cooking for all was spared. Noor was having the best time of her life. It was the first party of Noor and Salli. The whole valley was reverberating with the music. I had not seen something beautiful, crazy and fun like that before. Most of the people were complete strangers, yet we were having a great time together. I realized that to enjoy the company of others you don't need to know their name or be familiar with them. Salli was breaking my introverted, shy and self-doubting shell. I was connecting to people and nature in a human way. Life was never so easy, simple and loving before. The struggle to sustain my life was not real but only psychological. I was the luckiest person who was blessed with everything in life and yet I was focusing on the dark side only. Sometimes the realization sinks in late.

Madhu, Noor and Salli Were The Turning Point Of My Life.