We had invited Betty and Antonio to visit us in Baton Rouge the last time we were in Italy.
They made the arrangements to come to Baton Rouge. Their plane was to arrive at 8:30 PM. We were there to meet them, but they were not on this plane. The next plane was due at midnight (almost 4 hours later), so we waited and waited and waited. They had been delayed by customs in Atlanta. Finally the last plane arrived and we looked down the hall, and sure enough, here they came! Betty with that beautiful smile and Antonio smiling too. They looked very tired, but also excited to be here. BUON GIORNO!
We had our guest bedroom (Presidential Suite) ready for them and they slept soundly after another session of hugging and kissing.
When they finally waked up the next morning, we had a good time just visiting and eating a big breakfast of scrambled eggs, grits, sausage, hot biscuits, and mayhaw jelly and then coffee. They had never heard of grits before, but they really liked them. That night we had all our children and grandchildren over to meet them and we all enjoyed the fellowship.
The next day we showed them the sights around Baton Rouge, including the State Capitol, the Burden plantation, and some of the Ante Bellum homes nearby. That night we had supper at the Picadilly Cafeteria where they especially liked the crawfish etouffee and carrot soufle.
Later in the week we drove to New Orleans to see all the sights we could. We visited Canal Street and Riverwalk by the river where we ate shrimp po-boys and beignets and cafe au lait. We then saw the aquarium and Bourbon Street where our hotel (the Royal Sonesta) was located.
After a big supper at a small cafe called "Petunia’s" we checked into the hotel. We walked around a little and heard some great New Orleans jazz music. Virginia and I went to bed and I think Betty and Antonio stayed up a a little later listening to some more New Orleans jazz.
After another big breakfast at the hotel (with grits) we got onto the ferry and crossed the Mississippi River to see the Mardi Gras World Company. This is where many of the floats are built for the yearly parades. It is most interesting, and we were provided with a tour of the entire place where we took lots of pictures of past parades, and costumes that were used. All the time we were having a great time, just becoming more acquainted with our two wonderful young friends.
Sadly, we learned of the death of one of my nieces in El Dorado, Arkansas at this time. The funeral was to be held the next day and so we all drove for about 5 hours to the funeral and then to the cemetery. They met more of my family while there.
After returning to Baton Rouge we continued to see other points of interest and visited Patricia’s home where Willis played the piano for us. (He teaches piano at LSU and also performs in concerts nationwide). Then we visited one of the classrooms at the LSU Lab School where Betty and Antonio gave a short talk to Mrs. Young’s fifth grade class describing life in Italy.
Then it was time to say "Arrividerci". We all cried as we waved goodbye to two of the greatest kids we have ever known. We have learned to love both Betty and Antonio and the family as part of our extended family. He is the perfect companion for Betty and we wish for them to have a long and happy lifetime together. We hope to meet Antonio’s family in Naples one day.
They made the arrangements to come to Baton Rouge. Their plane was to arrive at 8:30 PM. We were there to meet them, but they were not on this plane. The next plane was due at midnight (almost 4 hours later), so we waited and waited and waited. They had been delayed by customs in Atlanta. Finally the last plane arrived and we looked down the hall, and sure enough, here they came! Betty with that beautiful smile and Antonio smiling too. They looked very tired, but also excited to be here. BUON GIORNO!
We had our guest bedroom (Presidential Suite) ready for them and they slept soundly after another session of hugging and kissing.
When they finally waked up the next morning, we had a good time just visiting and eating a big breakfast of scrambled eggs, grits, sausage, hot biscuits, and mayhaw jelly and then coffee. They had never heard of grits before, but they really liked them. That night we had all our children and grandchildren over to meet them and we all enjoyed the fellowship.
The next day we showed them the sights around Baton Rouge, including the State Capitol, the Burden plantation, and some of the Ante Bellum homes nearby. That night we had supper at the Picadilly Cafeteria where they especially liked the crawfish etouffee and carrot soufle.
Later in the week we drove to New Orleans to see all the sights we could. We visited Canal Street and Riverwalk by the river where we ate shrimp po-boys and beignets and cafe au lait. We then saw the aquarium and Bourbon Street where our hotel (the Royal Sonesta) was located.
After a big supper at a small cafe called "Petunia’s" we checked into the hotel. We walked around a little and heard some great New Orleans jazz music. Virginia and I went to bed and I think Betty and Antonio stayed up a a little later listening to some more New Orleans jazz.
After another big breakfast at the hotel (with grits) we got onto the ferry and crossed the Mississippi River to see the Mardi Gras World Company. This is where many of the floats are built for the yearly parades. It is most interesting, and we were provided with a tour of the entire place where we took lots of pictures of past parades, and costumes that were used. All the time we were having a great time, just becoming more acquainted with our two wonderful young friends.
Sadly, we learned of the death of one of my nieces in El Dorado, Arkansas at this time. The funeral was to be held the next day and so we all drove for about 5 hours to the funeral and then to the cemetery. They met more of my family while there.
After returning to Baton Rouge we continued to see other points of interest and visited Patricia’s home where Willis played the piano for us. (He teaches piano at LSU and also performs in concerts nationwide). Then we visited one of the classrooms at the LSU Lab School where Betty and Antonio gave a short talk to Mrs. Young’s fifth grade class describing life in Italy.
Then it was time to say "Arrividerci". We all cried as we waved goodbye to two of the greatest kids we have ever known. We have learned to love both Betty and Antonio and the family as part of our extended family. He is the perfect companion for Betty and we wish for them to have a long and happy lifetime together. We hope to meet Antonio’s family in Naples one day.
No comments:
Post a Comment