We got a seat at the very front of the SITA Bus, making for a better ride into Firenze than the ride out the night before. With another bout of bad traffic, we had to move quickly to make our 8:30 appointment.
We reached Piazza Della Signora with just enough time to grab a capucino before meeting Ben. Now, I know how to say "to go" when ordering, but the Italians have a phrase they use for "to take with you" that I haven't fully picked up, yet. So I developed a new routine with them: I say "andarre;" they say "something something something via;" I say "che?" they say "to take with you?" I say "si," and I get my coffee. Well, this time, after my routine, the gentleman put what looked like a fine ceramic coffee cup in front of me. I protested only long enough to look like a dumb Americano & to see it was a plastic cup moulded over to look like a thick ceramic cup. We grabbed our cups, and started across the Piazza, immediately seeing Ben standing under the statue of David (the replica, as the original is in la Galleria dell'Academia). Although we didn't know what he looked like, I'd read the travel blog of another couple previously getting married in Italy with Ben's help [help getting married ... Ben wasn't helping me read the blog], and they mentioned him smoking a pipe while waiting outside the US Consulate. Since he was the only man smoking a pipe while standing under the statue of David at 8:30 on a Tuesday, it was safe to assume it was him.
We made quick introductions and started catching up. For those friends of Nancy who've been following the story and asking if Ben was a hot young Italian hunk, I hope you won't be disappointed to learn he's not. I'll leave judgement of hot or hunky to the fairer sex, but I will say he's a charming cordial gent, with a great sense of humor, originally from the U.K., who moved to Italy on a lark 15 years ago, as an artist. He's been planning & coordinating weddings in Italy for 10 years, handling 70 or so, every year. For us, Ben's made the planning of this wedding a complete joy, and I feel lucky that Nancy found & selected him. If anyone reading this is currently planning a wedding in the States, take my word for it ... scrap all your plans right now, call Ben and immediately relocate your wedding to Tuscany. You may alienate some friends or family, but you won't be sorry.
Two other couples were filing paperwork that same day, one couple from New York (Mike & Ann) were working with Ben and getting married Thursday in Firenze, the other couple were working with Ben's assistant and we didn't get a chance to chat.
Ben led us down some back alleys to the records building, then up an elevator and down countless winding hallways lined with filing cabinets. Only in Italy, does a long hall with grey metal cabinets still look ancient and interesting with vaulted ceilings and open windows. On the whole, it did not look terribly organized; apparently Firenze doesn't have a reputation for archival accuracy. We finally ended in a room w/ several people working at tables, where we reviewed for accuracy and signed paperwork stating all the important facts of who we were. I expected more pain & grilling from public officials, but the process was quick & pain-free.
Immediately the 8 of us filed downstairs, into taxis, and sped off for the American Consulate, to fill out and file more paperwork. Since 9/11, only U.S. Citizens and Italians seeking travel visas to the U.S. are allowed inside the Consulate, so Ben and his assistant leaned against the wall above the Arno River, while we ventured in, one at a time. Once inside and reunited, we filled out the paperwork. This time, we needed to make a sworn statement in front of an official. When he arrived, after noticing we were from Maryland, he asked Nancy what we thought of the Liutenant Governor. Nancy panicked. She thought this was a test and if she failed it, they wouldn't believe she was from Maryland and she wouldn't be allowed to marry me. She would become one of those urban legends with a lesson that you should always know who the Lt. Governor was if you have a prayer of getting married abroad. Turns out the Lt. Gov'r (Brown, for those who follow State politics as well as we) was this guy's college roommate. We had a nice chat about Maryland & Philadelphia, he took our sworn statements, and we were on our way.
We met up with Ben at the Arno, handed over our paperwork, reviewed arrangements for Wednesday in Siena, and went our separate ways.
Nancy and I wandered down the Arno to Il Ponte Vecchio, walked back to Piazza Della Signora, and grabbed lunch at a cafe on the square. During lunch, we struck up a conversation with Joe, who *was* a hot young Italian hunk, who designs Italian leather clothing and has a girlfriend in New Jersey. He invited us to visit his shop any time, promising to have a glass of expensive local wine with us, when we do.
Ciao!
- Brent & Nancy
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