Week Two

03/08
Lisa D’Agostino. You couldn’t get more Italian that D’Agostino. She loved visiting Italy, seeing her family, interacting with her cousins and the culture. The town that her dad grew up in, Valleluce, held amazing memories for her. Almost every time she visited something big was going on. Every time that her family went they went during the summer time and as her birthday fell on August 1st, they almost always celebrated it while they were there. The summer she turned 14 she also got to experience her cousin’s wedding. Franco Cece was to marry Annarita and this is the story.

03/09
We watch Lisa, an eager thirteen year old step out of the plane and into the crowded air terminal. All these words flying at her. She doesn’t understand a word, all this Italian, why couldn’t she just flip a switch and understand it, she mused. Her uncle, cousin, and grandfather wait patiently while her family goes through customs. Finally, they emerge and a joyous family reunion occurs. As they don’t often get to see each other each moment together is supremely treasured and you can tell by the looks on everyone’s faces. Franco, who is getting married drives to Valleluce.

03/10
As the ride progressed the rumbling in the car is attributed not to the car itself but the family’s stomachs. An Autogrill, the Italian equivalent of a American rest stop but with MUCH better food, is spied in the distance. As they grab their fresh pastas and sandwiches they convene around a table for news about the upcoming wedding. Lisa’s father translates for his family as he is the only one fluent in Italian. He explains to them that they will be taking part of a very cool ceremony as part of Franco’s wedding. They will learn as they go.

03/11
The first Friday of Lisa’s trip, the whole family meets up at Lisa’s aunt’s house. Together they travel by car to the town that Franco’s future wife lives. They wind all around the mountain, following sharp curves and inclines. Eventually they arrive at a house much like the one they left. Except this house is already surrounded by throngs of people. Lisa exits the car and takes a look at her cousin Pamela who has ran to hide behind a car. She has curlers in her hair and is embarrassed but she must be there because Franco is her brother.

03/12
Her cousin Franco gets out a ladder climbs up with a rose in his hand, and the sounds of an accordion playing fill the air. With the first notes he begins to serenade his future bride. After his song, she’s arrives at the ledge of the balcony (every good Italian house must have a killer balcony a la Romeo and Juliet) and he presents her with a rose. She then allows him to come in and they kiss. After a few moments together then reemerge and join the party that has commenced. Lisa begins to think that this is new.

03/13
Saturday morning dawns, and with the roosters and the church bells Lisa and her family wake up and start getting ready for a very long day. The family all gathers at her aunt’s house and proceeded, uphill, to the church in the middle of the town. People were lined up watching this. It was astounding! When they arrived they made their way into the tiny church. So many people were there that they spilled out into the streets, typically the church did not have this many people in it at once Lisa’s dad told her. She gazed around astounded at…

03/14
After the wedding everyone emptied into the town square for celebration and then loaded up into cars and made a procession to the first reception. Horns’ honking everyone was just happy to be there. The first reception had so many courses Lisa stopped counting. Five different meats, pastas, salads, it was a pure smorgasbord. The music blared cheesy 80s tune and the Macarena. Lisa rolled her eyes at the last one. As the first reception drew to a close the party got into their cars and started back toward Valleluce. “Lisa,” Pamela said, “it is not over yet, just wait.”