I said some days ago that I would tell you about the naked tree next to the entrance of the building where we had the lunch.
So!
So here is the tree, but not naked anymore. Now it has some beautiful cards on it.
What are these cards for? I had no idea. I did look and saw names of famous composers, which made sense to me because I knew this would be the concert of the year. I assumed, without looking that there were names of some famous arias beneath the composers name.
Little did I know!
In the afternoon there was a lunch. It was supposed to be inside. When people begun to move inside I did as well.
There were several tables and no names at each plate.
How would I figure out where to sit? I knew a bit about the people I would be sitting with but did not see them anywhere.
Oh, this was so humiliating. There must be a simple explanation, I thought. I just had to figure it out.
I headed out, trying to find the bride. She would know. I found her and she explained everything.
The cards, on the naked tree, did not have names of arias on them. They had names of people!
The composer was the name of table and the arias were the names of the people who had been but together and should enjoy each others company during the lunch!
My table was Vivaldi and wonderful people kept me company during the lunch. People I had not meet before but took me under their wing and made sure I did not get lost.
We had interesting conversations and I learned a lot. I always learn when I talk to the Portuguese. They are willing to share and they are all immensely friendly. I cant count my blessings enough to have all those new friends in my life and hear their stories and get to know about their lives.
The concert of the year was really a concert of the year.
My beautiful friend, the bride, is a great soprano singer and she sung for us after lunch. Ave Maria and several arias. What a performance.
One of my new friends played the piano like a true maestro.
I sometimes complain about not getting enough art to nourish my soul here in Portugal.
This day was a heart warming day in every sense. My beautiful friends got married. Now the future is bright and the happiness waiting for them. I look forward to continue to be part of their life. I am luckier than most. Having friends is precious and worth nourishing. I will never forget this wonderful day. It is one more memory that I will keep in my heart forever.
Hulda Björnsdóttir
My thoughts shared with you 