L’amore vince ogni cosa. Love always wins. -Virgil
Olivia collected old maps.
She lived vicariously through them and imagined her travels would find her in exotic lands, savoring the local teas and miniature chocolate cakes. She would imagine Casablanca and its bazaars; or Piccadilly Circus in London. She liked globes and would spin them around to see where she might travel the next time.
Just before the Winter wind blew the day leaves across the boulevard, the day, this Valentine’s Day, would dawn. Against an azure sky the white contrails crisscrossed the horizon. Geese had departed and left high above the frost and snow covered lawns. No bulbs she had planted would break ground for weeks still. It was too early.
Olivia was travelling now and chose the Hotel Bellosguardo outside Florence to rest her head. The original owner was the poet, Cavalconti, friend of Dante, and the hotel dating to 1200. It was a Tuscan medieval and renaissance architectural wonder of beauty and yet simplicity.
Its lush landscape was perfect for picnics so she decided to do that after her swim in the hotel pool. Her friend, Massimo, would join her for a swim and then to enjoy the picnic that the hotel provided. A special Valentine’s Day meal would be served in the open courtyard. Thousands of stars would punctuate the night sky as she and Massimo enjoyed a most delicious dinner. After a stroll around the hotel grounds, they went inside to sit awhile before he had to return to Rome.
The fireplace was welcoming and she watched the embers glow and fade and die. Other guests sat near the warmth of the sitting room. It was a cordial group because they all were on holiday. No crabby boss to disturb their peace; or, cranky colleagues.
They talked as old friends do without a single worry about the clock showing almost midnight. This Valentine’s Day had been especially sweet because they had enjoyed the sidewalk vendors in Florence who were selling clocks, cloisonne bracelets, scarves, purses, fruits, and jewelry. They bought one another gifts and Olivia especially liked the Italian stationery she could use for future letters. At a small chocolate shop, he bought her some fine chocolates and fresh strawberries.
Legend has it that the bishop Valentine secretly married lovers even though marriage was banned by the Roman emperor. He was martyred February 14 by the Roman Emperor Claudius II. In 496 the Pope named the 14th of February the Feast Day of Saint Valentine to commemorate Valentino. That day was chosen because it weas the day the Roman goddess of women and marriage Juno was traditionally celebrated.
Olivia had looked at the train schedule leaving Florence and found that 270 trains radiated out to 45 countries, including the cities of Tretalia, Bologna, and Venice. She could travel first class for pennies, it seemed. She left the S.M. Novella train station.
Where to next, she wondered.
Where to, exactly!
How about the midnight train to Vienna?
Olivia slept that night contented and happy. She and Massimo would see one another on her return trip in a fortnight.
Augurabuon San Valentino.