Royal College Dinner Dance

But it really would have been more suitable to call it a DANCE Dinner :) This event was my very first time to wear a sari - something I had both looked forward to and dreaded a little bit. I've heard about the typical Sri Lankan Dinner/Dances, and I really hoped that I would get the chance to attend one while, I was here - it's VERY different than any sort of official dinner event, you would find in DK. Actually, I'm pretty sure, we have NO equivalent ! I had also been dreading the sari wearing part a little bit... It's funny because on a daily basis, I see SO many beautiful women wearing sari's in all the clolours of the rainbow - and they look amazing, but me in one intimidated me a little. I guess it was a mix of insecurity: could I actually figure out how to wear it and carry myself ?But most of all, would it be appropriate or would it be frowned upon a little by the Sri Lankan's ? Of course, I should have known that quite the contrary would be the case! They Sri Lankan's, obviously I guess, think it's wonderful when a foreigner puts on a sari. So, not only did I feel very comfortable being the only non-Sri Lankan in a sari, I actually also enjoyed wearing it. I felt very 'dressed-up', without it being TOO much. It does take some getting use to, though - in particular the JACKET (the short shirt you wear with it). My sari is made by cotton organza and DOES NOT stretch AT ALL. The design in itself is TIGHT, so sitting in this was quite the trial :) And for some reason eating and drinking didn't help ?!?. After some time though, I kindda got used to it (and maybe also slightly tipsy), and then it was working out just fine.

Returning to the order of things - is it dinner dance? Or should it be dance dinner? Well, I guess it's not really up for debate anywhere, but the night went like this (you tell me ? :) ) :

It started at 9pm with drinks, we were there quarter past, and we were VERY early! Around 10 people had pretty much come, and we've had our welcome drinks. We proceeded into the ball room (which was beautifully decorated and very festive!). Then you'd think dinner would be the next point on the agenda - well....guess again. Now the band started playing, people started drinking and only a few moments later the dancefloor was PACKED! By 12 o'clock dinner was served, but that really didn't affect the amount of people on the floor (with the Sri Lankan's passion for food that actually surprised me quite a bit !). Around 450 people were there. By that time, I for one, was hungry, and I figured with the amount of alcohol on the table, the wise thing would be to get some dinner. Dinner and 12 o'clock doesn't really match in my terminology - until now, I guess :) From this point and onwards people ate sporadically, until the food was removed around 3'ish.

To any Dane, or westerner in general, I'm pretty sure that this night would feel like it was done in reverse order. The party went on til 6 pm - and breakfast was serve around 5, I was told (didn't last that long). I truly was a GREAT evening. So affirming to witness people going crazy on the dance floor WITH OUT vast amounts of alcohol having been consumed (well, at least to begin with). I tried to imagine coming to a party somewhere in DK, and breaking in the floor as one of the first things ?!?!?!?! Let alone, consuming dinner around midnight. Would NEVER happen, that's for sure. Sri Lankan's really know how to have a good time - that much I learned from this night!

What I also discovered is the world of the sari's !

A sari is not JUST a sari. I which I could have taken pictures of all the women there; SO many different colours, styles and ways the style it! And the sexiness of a sari, never occured to me before either - it really IS very sexy though. But definitly in the good way ! Nothing hoochie about it, mind you - rather it has a subtle sensuality to it that makes the women appear so elegant, graceful and sensual. I think, if I were to stay here longer, I would definitly add a few sari's to my wardrobe :)

For the moment, I'm very happy with my pink one - it's my first and it was given to me by a friend :) I'm sure, it'll stay with me for a long time. If I'm to wear it again, I'll have a problem though - not while I'm here - but should there be an event in DK at some point because putting it on, is NOT something you just do!

So, summing up this dancing dinner was yet another GREAT experience for me. I feel very lucky to have had the chance.