Ale and Flora are married

It was a lovely wedding at the Hotel de Ville in the Brussels suburb of Saint-Gilles. The special Salon for Marriages, on the second floor was ornately decorated, bright and felt very special despite this being a civil ceremony. The judge was jovial and conducted a joyful, upbeat wedding.

Flora's Italian gown was a creamy golden white color, much like a lustrous pearl, with a poufy tulle skirt and train.

The reception was at a restaurant and banquet hall called Chalet Robinson, which is located on a small island in the center of a small lake which is in a small forest just outside Brussels. The only way to get there is on a small barge, operated by a very small man.

It was interesting to talk to so many people from international backgrounds, including Flora's former PhD advisor and his son who sat at our table. Also neighbors, colleagues and  family members who all seemed to know who we were when we identified ourselves as "i vicini americani da Radicofani." I managed to have long, pleasant conversations with both Ale's and Flora's mothers--in Italian. Despite not studying for weeks, I managed to hold up my end pretty well.

We got to ride to the restaurant with the new couple! Joe was the holder of the flowers and balloons for the taxi ride.