We finished up our week of celebrating Eliana's birthday with a big Tajik-style party yesterday. They make a big deal here out of first birthdays so we decided to go with the flow and throw a party. Parties here are MUCH different than in America. Here the honor is the in hosting, not in the being invited, so that changes how you do parties.
I got two of my Tajik friends to help me throw the party. They told me what to buy and then basically did everything except the baking (I made cookies and we baked two cakes- I decorated one and Drew did the other), because Tajiks love American baked goods. I spent the week thinking about and planning for the party, including collecting dishes and utensils from my friends because you can't use paper and plastic here. Everything is pretty and put together, you make a TON of food and it's a process. Salads first, after 30 minutes or so, soup, then about 30 minutes later the second course and then 30 minutes or so later cut the cake. Lots of tea is drunk, there is fruit and candy on the table (which is the floor of course) and lots of talking and relaxing. It is an event!
The best part of the party for me was that almost everyone we invited came! I've struggled to get people into our home so this was huge for me. It was so good to finally be able to host our friends and show them that we care for them and want to reach out in a way that is familiar to them. So many people commented on how "Tajik" the party was and everyone enjoyed the food and fun. One girl even mentioned how she could smell the Tajik food smells throughout the house.
So yeah, it was a lot of work and time and money but it was well worth it. I don't plan on doing another one for a long time but it was good. I'm also so thankful for my friends who did everything for me. I would be lost without them!
Enjoy some pictures of the day and some day come on down and experience a Tajik party for yourself! The whole album is at the bottom with captions.
I got two of my Tajik friends to help me throw the party. They told me what to buy and then basically did everything except the baking (I made cookies and we baked two cakes- I decorated one and Drew did the other), because Tajiks love American baked goods. I spent the week thinking about and planning for the party, including collecting dishes and utensils from my friends because you can't use paper and plastic here. Everything is pretty and put together, you make a TON of food and it's a process. Salads first, after 30 minutes or so, soup, then about 30 minutes later the second course and then 30 minutes or so later cut the cake. Lots of tea is drunk, there is fruit and candy on the table (which is the floor of course) and lots of talking and relaxing. It is an event!
The best part of the party for me was that almost everyone we invited came! I've struggled to get people into our home so this was huge for me. It was so good to finally be able to host our friends and show them that we care for them and want to reach out in a way that is familiar to them. So many people commented on how "Tajik" the party was and everyone enjoyed the food and fun. One girl even mentioned how she could smell the Tajik food smells throughout the house.
So yeah, it was a lot of work and time and money but it was well worth it. I don't plan on doing another one for a long time but it was good. I'm also so thankful for my friends who did everything for me. I would be lost without them!
Enjoy some pictures of the day and some day come on down and experience a Tajik party for yourself! The whole album is at the bottom with captions.
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