What a weekend we had! It all started on Friday with the wedding of Santiago and Mariel, a young couple from Argentina. They recently relocated here so Santiago could claim his Italian citizenship. The wedding was officiated by the mayor, and the ceremony was made even sweeter when little Vasi, Iva and Antonino’s daughter, ended up helping the mayor finish the ceremony. It was a beautiful touch that made everyone smile.
Iva and Sandra bought a lovely bouquet for the bride, and Gustavo was in charge of capturing the special moments with his camera. Natalia and Antonino were the witnesses—everything felt intimate and full of warmth. The newlyweds wanted a small, potluck-style reception, so we all brought something to share. We started a fire, and I grilled some burgers, kabobs, and even heart kabobs that the bride had marinated in a special sauce—delicious! There was pizza, homemade pâté, tramezzini, and an incredible meat pie that Gianni prepared. Antonino, being the witness, gifted the couple a beautiful cake. We toasted with wine and Prosecco and even danced the waltz—yes, even Sandra and I, and we haven’t danced since Fiamma’s wedding! It was a night full of laughter, music, and friendship, with the couple glowing from happiness.
Saturday was rainy, so it was a perfect day to rest and recharge.
On Sunday, we headed to Gustavo and Natalia’s place to lend a hand with their new house. Well… more like Fermín lent a hand—he’s definitely doing more than me! The day’s big job was setting the posts and beams for the new roof. The posts were the easy part, but the beams… not so much. These monsters were 20cm x 20cm and over 6 meters long, and they had to be carried across an old metal roof—definitely not a job for the faint of heart. Hugo and Gustavo planned everything out and led the way, making sure everything went smoothly. The stress level was high, but by the end of the day, the structure was up, and everything was ready for the new roof.
While we worked, Sandra and Iva had the hard job—taking care of the little ones, Vasi and Numa, two energetic toddlers. Keeping those two busy and happy is definitely not an easy task!
In the middle of the workday, we gathered around the table for a feast. I grilled some more burgers, Sandra, Mariel, and Iva prepared the fixings, and Antonino made a sautéed cabbage and onion dish that disappeared before I could even get a taste. It was one of those days where everyone pitched in, laughed, and worked side by side—a true show of friendship and camaraderie. The vibe was incredible, and it made us feel even more grateful to be part of this community.
These are the moments that remind us why we’re here—simple, beautiful days surrounded by good friends.
Here are the links to L’Ostello San Martino and La Via di Francesco
That’s all for now. More updates soon!
Sandra, Fermin and Fabian
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