Toi Notes

The guest gives an envelope at the toi, and somebody (an aunt, a cousin) writes it in a notebook: who gave how much. This is salym. When their turn comes, the family gives back the same or a bit more. The hall is paid by the notebook, in a way.

Last night I saw the book. 387 lines. Average 60 som, from the neighbour who works at the bakery 20, from the groom's uncle in Almaty 200 dollars. A page of a life. If you lose the book you lose your friends, my grandmother used to say.