Virginia's family is from Veracruz, so they were even less familiar with Zapotec traditions than I am. After all, I just shot another wedding a month or two ago, but there is so much to learn. For instance, there were close to 300 people at the wedding and fiestas. There are countless benedictions and ceremonies in which every person individually blesses the couple and shakes the hand of every other person in the room, all by gender and age. I was much more comfortable this time taking part. As I arrived, I paid my respects to the men and shook hands with all of them as they stood or sat in long lines. When it was time to leave, I did the same to all the men and women, literally hundreds of people. To lose one's inhibitions about such things is exhilarating. I can't describe the feelings I had as I shook hands, said a few words and made eye contact with so many people. People would break into the warmest smiles as I, an outsider, acknowledged their traditions. It is all about respect. Plus, people were so nice to me, I woke up this morning still floating on air.
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