An Italian luncheon

Aviva and I really hit the jackpot when we decided to follow the precarious sounds of an off-tune kareoke singer. The night air was warm, our bellies were full, and we were in no rush to go to bed. So we candidly sat on the exterior of a hotel courtyard, and there in front of us, through the window, was a scene fit for a good time. A wedding reception coming to a close. There was one individual who had his tye wrapped around his head and with immence gestures kept beconing his victims to come dancing with him. He pranced, he giggled, and he wiggled his way across the floor to some sexy tune he knew. He danced with a couple of older women who appeared quite pleased to be sauntering next to him. This guy was quite funny and we enjoyed the music and the good times being had indoors. We were there long enough to figure out who the bride was, her groom, the best man and the best mates. We were there long enough to raise their curiousity in asking us if we'd like to join them! Well Abba was playing 'Dancing Queen' who can say no to that? So we went in and soon a glass of vino was being poured for Aviva (white) and roso for me. After the initial shock of being immersed with a croud of people we started to mingle and I soon met a lovely young woman named Jenny who is an RN in Dublin (her partner Ivan was the energetic dancer we so much enjoyed watching). We met the rest of the crew too, the friend Davide (sounds like Daviday) who is traveling to Croatia at the moment, Thomas who is in the Dolomites on a treck, Jenny and Ivan returning to Dublin soon, and another Italian couple who live near Bolzano. Ironically, the entire group (us included) made our way back to the busy bee street where the 'chatting and socializing' takes place. Our friends bought a bottle of wine the glasses came out and soon there we were, standing, eating, gabbing, and sipping! We all parted around 2am (a first for Aviva and I who have been up at the crack of dawn and usually in bed before 10pm!). AND---before we left we were invited to go to Momma Rita's house for a BBQ lunch and a swim in a nearby lake with our new aquaintances. We told them that we had thought of going for a hike to see the mountains and the dirt pyramids atop of Bolzano (the group looked at us and recited, but you were invited to a BBQ, you are IN the mountains you can see them anytime! COme with us!)...and so we went. We took the train to Trento and we were picked up and driven to a lovely property on a mountain side where Ivan's family gathered for this family feast.
There we met MammaRita and Ivan's Dad, his sister and husband and 2 children, Tatianna, Silvio and little Marcello. We ate like godesses! And the food was so delicious! Imagine a table laden with fat, luscious, hand picked tomatoes still warm from the garden sliced and seasoned with salt and a light vinegrette, thinly sliced cucumber sprinkled with course pepper, large navy beans bathed in a watery dressing, shaved lettuce strands tossed and heaped into a large bowl, polenta made fresh from the family's row of corn, mouthwatering savory meats roasted on the grill, and a plate of cheeses cut into large chunks. And as if this wasn't enough, the homemade wine was displayed in little glass jars and we were invited to taste some white and red homemade vino. After our meal was consumed the coffee was offered and as well,the flavored grappa made from basil and from pine was introduced. I've never had grappa in my coffee before but it was tongue tingling and refreshing all the same. Aviva and I kept looking over at each other and hinting with an unspoken language that said, can u believe our luck? After this meal I had no intentions of swimming, I felt more like sleeping than anything, but a tour of the garden made for a better choice.
We did end up going to the lake and we did swim. Aviva the sun-lover had a snooze on the beach side while I pedalled my way on one of those boat toys with Davide and Thomas. Our surroundings were breathtaking really. All around us there were mountains including the famous Dolomites in the distance, their tall peaks tickling the skies. Another late night out for us as for our friends would not let us go home hungry.
Here are some pictures of Bolzano and of our time out with our friends in Trento.