DOUBLE CELEBRATIONS WITH TWO ITALIAN FAMILIES
Saturday, 29th October:
LOCALS CELEBRATE WITH US IN POMPEII
We went over to Pompeii to share our 40th wedding anniversary with our ‘Italian Family’.
Again we were taken to Andrea and Antonella’s comfortable house overlooking the town. As Graham walked in bearing the loaf he had bought that morning, Andrea, our host, shouted in delight: “Matera bread! Bellissima!” (Matera’s bread is famous all over Italy; that country where food is revered as much as in neighbouring France).
Andrea straightway cleared away the pre-laid baskets of bread, and bore the Matera loaf away to be cut up and presented in its stead.
After a starter I cannot remember – only that we found it delicious, washed down with the wine we had brought, came salad, followed by toasts to us on our 40th wedding anniversary. –
GRAHAM DOESN’T ENJOY FISH – BUT REALLY ENJOYS EATING POMPANO
– And then Andrea brought from the kitchen a whole Pompano he had cooked. Even Graham, who on the whole has to be coaxed to eat fish, cleared his plate. He then, to the delight of Andrea, mopped up the juices with a hunk of the aforementioned Matera bread.
– AND I PIG OUT ON ANTONELLA’S DESSERT
The ‘boys’ had all dashed over to the couch by then, while Antonella’s dessert was handed round. It was a chocolate and hazelnut torte or cake, if memory serves. Both husband and wife are excellent cooks (well, to my knowledge Andrea always cooks the fish).
LOCALS CELEBRATE US – DULY TOASTED – ‘IL FOOTBALL’ TAKES OVER
They all rushed to explain that there was a major football match about to start on the television; (Napoli v Milano, Graham says.) Due attention having been paid to our Wedding Anniversary, the entire family now squashed onto the couch for the Main Event.
Graham and Antonella perched on the arms. Every eye was glued to the screen. Italians are just as intense about their football as we English (with notable exceptions).
I am one, though out of politeness I tried not to show it.
LOCALS CELEBRATE – Le FIVE ‘FOOTBALL FANS’
When Vincenzo offered to give his place to me I said I was happy to sit on a chair to the side, as I was ‘so full of food’. I quickly learned which team to cheer for, and which to shout down. My consolation was that so many of the footballers were real Hollywood Beefcake material. Italians are, taken as a whole, an extremely good-looking and sexy race.
Of course, being Italians, and Italian football fans at that – and Napoli just down the road, there was as much shouting and punching of the air as if we were in a stadium.
LOCALS CELEBRATE US – GIVE ANNIVERSARY PRESENT
After the match was over we gathered our things to go back to La Casa di Plinio, where we had our usual room reserved (but at no charge, they insisted). Antonella disappeared, to return swiftly with a present for us. It was a lovely warm, furry comforter blanket. We are both currently enjoying it now this winter has REALLY kicked in. It is on our bed, giving extra warmth on cold nights – but is as light as a feather. We think of our lovely ‘family’ each night and morning.
LOCALS CELEBRATE ANOTHER ‘BIT OF A DO’ – MASSERIA MAZZAPEDE
We also had an inkling there’d be a ‘bit of a do’ back at the Masseria in Grottole on the Sunday; to celebrate the return from Rome of the elder son. But, even though Giuseppe had only just learned of it, we felt our Wedding Anniversary would not be forgotten! We had strict instructions not to be late for the lunch.
Sunday, 30th October:
LOCALS CELEBRATE AT MASSERIA MAZZAPEDE -A FAMILY REUNION –
AND OUR 40TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
We hurried back for the Celebration Barbeque at 1pm.
A DOUBLE CELEBRATION – FAMILY REUNIONS – A LOVELY CHILD
Giuseppe’s brother Alfonso had come from Rome with his friendly wife and their little girl; a child so beautiful she took our breath away. She had long, glossy chestnut hair and those smoky, truly grey eyes that are so rarely seen in Britain. One might come across them more often in Southern Ireland – but we had also noticed a glamorous beauty with those identical assets on a couple of episodes of “Inspector Montalbano”.
LOCALS CELEBRATE WITH A TYPICAL ITALIAN FAMILY MEAL – A LONG TABLE NEEDED!
This little girl was pleased to meet with her young cousins; also the granddaughters of Giuilia’s best friend. This time the veranda was filled with the long table – about twenty people seated. I imagine every Italian family must have these folding tables stashed away somewhere. Everywhere in Italy you see these family feasts. When there is a special Saint’s Holiday the residents will be joined by visiting American, Canadian and Australian cousins. We found it the most heart-warming sight.
LOCALS CELEBRATE – A SPEECH IN TWO LANGUAGES – SIGNORA GIULIA RICCARDI
Giuilia made two speeches. One in Italian, of welcome to Alfonso and his family, who we gathered could not get time away often enough for his mother. Next came a lovely one in two languages saying how much they had loved meeting we Ushers. We heard repeated references to our many good qualities. It was hard to recognise ourselves, and we joshed each other afterwards.
LOCALS CELBRATE US – WE RECEIVE MORE LOVELY GIFTS
We were also presented with lovely gifts. I was especially touched to be presented with a large embroidered tablecloth, clearly a treasured heirloom. If only I could let Giulia know that I too treasure it.
LOCALS CELEBRATE WITH A SPECIAL HEART-SHAPED CAKE FOR US
And she had baked another of those wonderful, unique lemon-filled cakes. There was another in the shape of a heart, topped with the icing figures ‘4’ and ‘0’. It was filled with raspberries and pink cream. Giulia presented it to us ‘For your Wedding Anniversary.’ We cut and shared it with full and happy hearts.
LOCALS CELEBRATE THE IMPORTANCE OF ‘FAMIGLIA’
Family means everything to Italians – and friends are enclosed into the family. It will not take long to be received as their friend. I love these openhearted, direct Italian people so much.
Text by – Jackie Usher, SWWJ. (aka author Debbie Darkin, & ‘Graham Liverpool’ on Trip Advisor.)
Photographs by – Graham Usher.
