During my travels through the Frosinone region of Italy, I learned about wine making, the Italian lifestyle, traditions and culture. Most of all, I learned about romance. I was invited to attend a serenade one evening.
I met my friends in the piazza and passed balconies filled with red and pink geraniums. The people in town waved and said, “Buona Fortuna,” or “Good Luck,” as our procession walked by. Teenagers pulled over on their mopeds so we could pass. Many people in town sat on their balconies and observed the long line of people who were walking to the home of the bride-to-be.
The groom-to-be was an investment banker who carried on the old, romantic tradition of a serenade under his future bride's window a couple of nights before their wedding. He carried a guitar over his shoulder with red roses as he talked and laughed with his friends. It was hard to believe my eyes as this modern man began to play his guitar while he sang the following words:
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“I bought red roses for you tonight and your heart knows what I want from you. With this last hope in my heart tonight, I bought red roses for you. The road of
remembrance is always longer, my love. Do you know why? I don’t have anyone other than you . . ."
Aftewards, we all had a terrace party which included Italian beer, home made wine, Prosecco, and we ate mushroom and zucchini pizza, Italian bread, mortadella, prosciutto and pastry. It was a terrace filled with love and laughter. I realized we had hit the rewind button on our lives and were carried back hundreds of years. Romance is still alive!
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The next day, everyone went back to their usual routines and careers. I learned a lot that evening in Italy and realized that there are so many ways to keep romance alive.
What is the most romantic thing someone has done for you? Did you ever see a romantic tradition during your travels? Please share it with me.
Remember to pick up a copy of my book,"Slices of Life" to read more travel, romance, holiday and family memoirs. Go to www.authorhouse.com and pick up a hard cover copy for $ 26.95 or soft cover for $ 23.95. You may contact me through Patch, or add a commment here. You are also welcome to email me at JMaria165@hotmail.com.
