ICE CASTLES?

Coming from Maine, one would think we might be somewhat accustomed to cold weather. However, nothing had prepared us for the bone-chilling damp radiating-from-the-earth cold we experienced the night of the wedding (Saturday). When J.T. and I arrived at 5:30 in the afternoon, at the Vista Hotel, we noticed there was no heat in the lobby of the hotel, nor in the ballroom where we would be eating dinner. We ventured out into the side yard, adjacent to the ballroom, where about a dozen people were arranging floral centerpieces, draping chiffon fabric over super structural frames of various shapes and sizes and heights, while others rolled out astro-turf carpeting in shades of red and green. The motif was purple and gold and there were literally thousands of flowers arranged at the back of the stage area, where the bridal couple initially would sit on a very elaborate antique love seat. I inquired as to the current temperature and was told it was a whopping three degrees! Using a rough conversion from Celsius to Fahrenheit, I believe it was about 38 degrees, and the festivities were not going to start until well after the sun set and an even deeper damper cold set in! And here we all were attired in traditional Indian dress - women in Sarees, men in kurtas and pajama bottoms, and most of us wearing sandals! YIKES! Sandals in the snow (wonder if Elton John could change the lyrics of his song!)
I was amazed at the fact that the decorating had not been even half completed by the time we arrived, and supposedly only two hours remaining before all the guests would arrive, along with the bride and then the groom. The locals arrived wearing pashmina shawls, fur hats, some with fur coats, wool capes and after some conversation, we learned they were all wearing "thermals" which we had not packed! We were concerned the bride would freeze outside, but that was not our problem at the moment. Two of our friends from France were more or less doing jumping jacks to stay warm, the two ladies from Germany were wrapped in heavy woolen coats and we, attempting to be respectful and punctual, had all arrived and stood around watching our breath while either sitting in the lobby or in the ballroom. We ordered tea (HOT TEA) and coffee, just to be able to hold a warm cup for a few moments. Eventually, some of the other family members arrived, also complaining of the bitter cold, and so some of us retreated to the bar, where we were greeted with a warmer venue, at least until the blush of the rose left and we realized that room was only warmer due to the lights shedding some heat!
Finally, it was time to return to the ballroom and the tents outside. The staff had installed several propane heaters, and several of us cuddled around one of them, to realize the only part of our bodies feeling any warmth were our faces, and that only when we looked up! More and more guests arrived and we speculated as to the current temperature and most of us surmised it was a blistering one degree!
Since we are about to lose Internet access, I will post this for now and pick up at the next stop to post more.