Magdalena from Lucca 1

Magdalena from Lucca 1

I am a very practical person and have never ever done anything unpredictable, but that changed today when I woke up, I thought of my Italian heritage, I packed a bag, went to the airport in a taxi and bought a ticket to Lucca, Italy. After leaving the airport I am so famished I climb onto the nearest bus and end up at Trattoria Da Magdalena. I was famished from that long flight with little food. I looked through the glass doors and saw it was quite crowded with some even standing. I chose to sit at a small table outside. The table is charmingly covered in a white cloth with yellow rosebuds. There are sprigs of Rosemary in a small vase with one single yellow rosebud on the table.

The waiter brings me a decanter of red wine, two glasses and a small plate of Rosemary laced Crostini crackers saying he would be back out later for my order. I tell him I saw that it was crowded inside and for him to take his time. I was so happy I had learned the beautiful Italian language as a child.

Meanwhile I soak in the simplicity of the Trattoria. Painted plainly with a touch of pink on the walls. The glass doors and window sills are beautifully carved. Small pots of flowers decorate each table. I savor the wine and crackers happily. I know the waiter will not be back outdoors for a while because no one has come out the door. There are still people standing in line inside. Across the street is a Barbiere. The man sitting in the chair has just had his pure white hair trimmed. He is an older gentleman and although not staring he continues to gaze at me. I do not feel uncomfortable like I am being stalked but I have a feeling we have met somewhere at sometime.

He leaves the Barbiere and gingerly, with cane in hand, picks his way across the well worn cobblestones towards my table.

" Magdalena, Magdalena you are here waiting for me. I am so happy you came back. I have missed you so." he excitedly speaks.

I tell him yes my name is Magdalena but I just arrived in Lucca today and do not know him even though he does look familiar to me. He seems genuinely confused and I offer him the chair next to me. Apologizing for the intrusion he rises to leave but I stop him offering him a glass of wine. Now that brought a pleasant smile to his face. We saluted each other and drank our wine.

©Julia A Knaake