Peggy in Italy

We attended a traditional Italian wedding over the weekend in Gualdo Tadino in the region of Umbria at a breathtaking agriturismo / hotel called Le Terre del Verde. The agriturismo gives its guests a range of choices when it comes to accommodation: hotel, farmhouse or rental apartments. In the main building there are glass panels on the floor where you can see a natural spring that flows under the property. Right outside of the farmhouse, there’s a huge green lawn, a stream, trees, paths leading to an old castle, a swimming pool and a playground. Their menu includes local and organic food.

The wedding was on Saturday morning at 11 in the city center of Gualdo Tadino. After getting a bit lost, we arrived 15 minutes before the ending. It worked out best because Maya was experimenting with her voice during the ceremony in the old church. After the ceremony we headed back to the farmhouse for appetizers under a tent. The starters included: a variety of cheeses with honey, prosciutto and other cold cuts, mozzarella, tempura style veggies, fried calamari and shrimp, a seafood salad, and much more. Then we had some time for digesting and walking around.

We were then invited to the dining room for the lunch which included risotto and tortelloni for the first course meal, meat and veggies for the second course meal, and a fruit salad to finish it. Melania and her cousin in the meanwhile were entertained by clowns, jugglers and singers. They, too, were treated to delicious food. Melania was having a blast. After lunch, were given a siesta either for walking around or sleeping. Maya and I chose to rest a bit.

At 8:30, we were invited back to the dining room for the wedding cake, other sweets, and dancing. Melania at this time could not talk about anything but the cake. She was so excited to eat it. We did some dancing and goofing around before the bride and groom came in. I had an opportunity to take pictures. After that, Luca put the camera away in the stroller, tucked away in the basket that closes with velcro. At this point, Melly’s eyes had a particular gaze to them and I got a suspicious feeling. At a certain point, Melly started coughing and said she needed water. Luca takes her to get water and they disappeared for a good 15 minutes. Maya starts fussing and this was my cue that it was time to start saying goodnight. I start looking for Luca and after asking around for him, I find Luca and Melly outside. Melly was sitting on a bench with flushed cheeks. She had thrown up all over the green lawns. She hadn’t even had the opportunity to try the cake and sweets. My poor baby was so sad. She wanted to take some of the sweets for the next morning. She was feeling better that she decided to stay a little longer with Luca. She absolutely had to see the cake at least.

Maya and I went back to our room, after having reminded Luca and his mother to bring the stroller back to the hotel room. After a nice night’s sleep, we headed to the breakfast room and I noticed Luca had not brought the stroller back with him. I didn’t think anything of it because I felt like we were in a trusting environment. We were treated to a big breakfast Italian style with homemade apple cakes, ricotta cakes, fresh bread, jam, nutella, croissants and cappuccinos (of course). After breakfast, we got our things ready and made our way downstairs to say goodbye to the bride and groom and Luca’s relatives. Just then, Luca remembered to get the stroller. When he got back I noticed he was looking quite pale. The camera was gone. Somebody swiped our camera. Luca lost all control and was furious. Understandable as I had taken some amazing pictures of Melania with her cousin Filippo.

We don’t really care about the camera, it’s the pictures we want back. The person who took our camera didn’t steal just a camera, he or she stole memories of Melania having fun, Maya turning 10 months, Maya trying to crawl…

Tags: farmhouse, Gualdo Tadino, hotel, Italian wedding, Umbria