While here in South Africa, I took the opportunity to meet Martin's family (Martin is my Dominican brother whom I came here to see. He is the one on the right). We had a wonderful time. His family is as kooky as mine... as are most families when it really comes down to it.
The occasion was made even crazier because of the upcoming wedding of one of his sisters, who has apparently neglected to plan the wedding until now, a week and a half before the big event. But no problem, the family to rescue. Everyone is sitting around kibitzing about the details. On the left is the new boyfriend of one of Martin's other sisters who has just been recruited to run the video camera. Next!
Of course, most of this planning and the accompanying jokes are told in Africaans, and I don't understand Africaans. But I do understand family, friends, good times, and a good laugh, and I reveled in sharing all of these things with Martin's family. There is something universal and perhaps even transcendent about a good belly laugh, in any language.