Wedding, UB Style

By Charlie

Ariunaa and Luke got married today.

They picked me up at about 11:30 this morning. We took a taxi to the place where marriages are registered. I was to be the witness.

Luke and I went in the front, while Ariunaa went around back to pay the registration fee at the bank. How much does it cost to get married in Mongolia? 525 tugrugs, or about 44 cents.

Ariunaa sent Luke a text message from the bank. She reported that the line was long, so Luke and I hung out in a hallway outside the marriage office.

I wore my Mongolian del for the occasion, which attracted some attention. An office worker in an unflattering purple smock walked into the hallway, took one look at me and returned to her office. Luke speaks Mongolian and reported that the women shouted at her office mates that “There’s a foreigner out here wearing a Mongolian del.”

Ariunaa eventually returned from the bank and joined us on the orange chairs in the hallway.

Before long, we met the marrying official. He spent a few minutes looking at paper work.

Ariunaa and Luke waited patiently.

Then they each signed the marriage log.

Everyone stood up. The official said a few words and handed over the marriage certificate. Luke and Ariunaa accepted with both hands. Anything important in Mongolia is given and accepted with both hands.

There was no ceremonial kiss. Nor was there any exchanging of rings, since Ariunaa forgot the ring.

The formalities took less than 5 minutes.

Because this is Mongolia, the government official asked if Luke could teach some English to his children. The official explained that his children are 10 and 11 and don’t know any English. Luke graciously took down the official’s number.

The newlyweds posed for a picture outside the government building.

We went for a celebratory lunch at Millie’s. It was Ariunaa’s first experience at this ridiculous ex-pat hangout.

Luke had a bacon cheeseburger and a chocolate milkshake. Ariunaa ordered a club sandwich and two orange juices.