A Romantic Interlude

Last weekend I was a witness for Massimo's (i.e. my eccentric ex-landlord's) wedding. See the pretty couple, below.



Massimo got married in what is basically the equivalent of city court, in the city municipality building in Bologna. Because everything is much more beautiful in Italy, this official ceremony (which lasted about 15 minutes) still seemed like a super-elegant, almost royal affair.



Being a witness was supremely exciting, even though I had been skeptical up until the last minute (I knew nothing about my duties before showing up at 11:30 on Sunday morning). We had to submit official ID in order to be approved as witnesses; luckily for me, an expired student travel card (the only thing I had in my "nice" purse) was accepted! I got to sit up front with the other three witnesses and the bride and groom. Here is my fancy chair.



And this is what the official ceremony looked like. There's the ring bearer, the bride's nephew.



I got to sign those huge marriage certificates sitting on the table. Oddly, the guy who officiated (the President of the Provincial Council or something similar) pronounced Emma and Gilmore perfectly, and stumbled over Valenze. Go figure.



The entire experience was made more interesting by the fact that Massimo's family has very deep roots in Bologna and they made an effor to organize a traditional, Bolognese wedding. I felt like a tourist, as usual, in the best possible way. Not to mention that the guests were a cast of characters made for a movie. Late bride, lecherous uncles, stressed parents, flamboyantly dressed inlaws, you name it.



This has been a nightmarish week due to my particularly bizarre moving situation (or lack thereof, really), and I'm currently scrambling as I try to figure out where I'm going to end up living. So this happy event was much needed. And now my signature will live forever in Bologna!



(Regarding the earthquake, I'm just fine, and so is Bologna itself. We're pretty far away from L'Aquila, so I've been seeing the same scary and upsetting news coverage as all of you.)

Waiting

These past few weeks have involved a lot of patience. I was waiting to move, and then I was waiting (and hoping) to find out that I would still be able to do so. It was almost spring, and then it got cold again, so I think that everyone is looking forward to this weekend when it's supposed to be 70 degrees.



I haven't written since my parents' visit to Bologna, which was wonderful. We ate lots of good food and I tried to be a good tour guide (despite the fact that it's impossible to predict anything in this country). That's another example of patience: my parents have lots of it and it makes them really flexible travelers. Luckily for me!



We saw the amazing mosaics in Ravenna, to which this photo does not do justice.



And paintings in Modena. In this photo the color of the wall may be more beautiful than anything else.



I also got a hair cut: bangs!



This may be the most patience-trying change of all! I made it to almost 25 without ever really having to spend much energy on my hair. It is probably appropriate that I start learning now.

So, in two days I am changing apartments for the first time in two and a half years. My whole point of reference in Bologna is about to change. Finally!