As promised, I did nothing but laze about (okay, and gift shop) yesterday. My feet hurt more than any time I can remember. I am completely 'holiday'd' out.
I look forward to this 9 hour flight home. It will truly force me to just sit and relax.
Cheers to all and talk to you soon.
Ciao,
A Pink American
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
May 26, 2008...Remembering the Wedding and Sunday in Sorrento
May 24….The wedding 
After a semi-hectic morning of running last minute errands for Martina, I was finally able to get ready. To my horror, when I emerged from the bathroom (in robe and head towel) the photographers were there. He tried to take my picture! I put an end to that. Good lord, only the bride (who is stunning all day with a team of design artists) should be photographed getting ready.
All the guests loaded onto buses, which were to take us to easy walking distance from the church. Due to the overwhelmingly number of weddings that day, the police nixed the closer bus drop off area (though we had prior permission) and the whole wedding group had to walk at least ½ mile to the church (and later back again). You’ve never seen so many women limp and totter from foot pain as they navigated along very uneven cobbled roadways. In many places a gooey tar was set between the stones. Many a heel was caught.
I wore flats J
Despite the so-termed ‘march of death’ (thanks Olivia), all other aspects of the wedding were fantastic!
Here’s the church, set for the ceremony:
The bride and groom just moments after seeing one another for the first time that day:
About the time of the ring exchange:
For the reception the whole group boarded a hydrofoil to
As we walked to the shuttles to the reception we were greeted by the bride and groom:
Grand Hotel Cocumella was a picture prefect setting for the reception. Appetizers and wine were bountiful on the terrace, with an amazing backdrop view:
After a brief repose, I was called back to bridesmaids duties, which allowed me a chance to take these two gorgeous snaps:
We headed up to the dining room for a three course meal and more wine:
Then back down to the terrace for an outrageous dessert buffet. I can’t even begin to describe the amount and variety of treats they had. Needless to say, I tried a bit of everything which meant a completely full plate (twice). Thank goodness I had the other girls to help me out.
Martina and Marco had their toast, cut the cake and then outdid everything with a show of fireworks over the Bay:
They did a very sweet jive-type dance for their first dance:
Finally, it was time to relax and just have fun:
The music went on till nearly 12:30, but by
I and all the other bridesmaids and American girlfriends were booked at the same place (Villa Elisa), so we were shuttled over. None of us were tired and the Piazza Tasso was hopping, so we changed and walked over for wine and cappuccinos until 2:30.
Sometime just after 3:00 I dropped into bed and slept stone solid until the next morning.
May 25...Sunday in Sorrento
The clang of church bells and tinkling of spoons against coffee cups woke me in the morning. I still felt a little drunk, though oddly more so than when I went to bed.
Our little group of merrymakers regrouped in the courtyard around 11:00. As I stood dazed, I enjoyed this little nymphette statue nestled among the ivy leaves on the courtyard wall:
Our group made the short walk over to the famous O’Parruchiano restaurant for the day-after brunch.
Along the way, I met the bell clanging culprit:
Inside the restaurant, there are beautiful gardens all around, as well as a glass covered atrium area inside.
I finally got a snap of ALL the girls on my camera:
Libby,
Here are some of the delicious things we ate:
Libby said it best when she described her stuffed feeling as ‘being pregnant with a food baby’. I’ve been eating for days, but I haven’t felt hungry since last Monday morning.
After saying our goodbyes to the newlyweds, we each wondered around for a while. Nathalie and her husband, Jonas, were kind enough to trek with me back to Cocumella to search for my sunglasses. Sadly, my shades are gone.
On the way back, we wandered through a city orange grove:
Later, I explored some side streets as I searched for new shades.
The hand crafted products here are so inexpensive AND lovely (sorry no snaps of that).
When we set out for dinner at La Stalla, we stalled as a processional (the Corpus Domine) went through town. It was interesting, but a little eerie:
We later realized the day-long bell ringing was in conjunction with this event.
Dinner was pleasant, full of feisty political and cultural conversation. This was followed by decaf cappuccinos and welcome sleep.
My last day here will be nothing but rest in prep for the trek home tomorrow.
I hoped you’ve enjoyed this little blog, and I highly encourage a trip to the area, especially
Ciao!
A Pink American
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