Mom says we came to Italy to relax. I didn’t know what that meant, but now I do: it means coming face to face with a giant cow named Irina who blows air on your face like she’s trying to tell you a secret. I whispered my name to her. Now we’re best friends.
When we arrived at Serendipity, Dad said “wow” three times in a row. Mom too. I said “it looks like a tent!”, because it really does, like a safari tent from my animal books, except instead of the jungle there’s a beautiful vineyard right in front, and then green hills that roll all the way down to the Orcia river. Mom said it’s called Val d’Orcia and that it’s a very special place in the world. I believe her, because it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen in my entire life… and I’m already six, so I’ve seen a lot.
We sat down on the terrace and ordered food. Mom kept saying “oh my god” after every bite, which is what she says when something is really, really good. The vegetables tasted different from home, like, actually good different. And the olive oil smelled like something magic. Dad ordered wine. Of course he did. He said it was organic, I don’t totally know what that means but he said it like it was the most important word in the English language. Him and Mom were doing that thing where they talked about food and wine for a really long time and my brother and I just looked at each other.
But the best part? The animals. Right next to the patio there are goats, sheep, two donkeys named Camilla and Tranquilla (I laughed so much at their names), and then Irina, a huge, beautiful cow with big eyes that look at you like she’s known you forever. Then we went into the chicken coop: hens, roosters, turkeys, geese, and it was the most fun thing in the entire universe. The chickens were running everywhere and my brother and I were screaming and laughing and feeding everyone. Dad took about a million photos.
Mom was on the patio with her glass of wine, smiling. I think she was relaxing. Finally!
And then there are the girls who work there. They are so kind. Not the way grown-ups pretend to be kind to kids, actually, truly kind. They told us all the animals’ names and helped us feed the geese, (which are a little scary, I’m just saying) and never once made us feel like we were too much. My brother and I decided they are our new best friends. Forever. Even if they live in Italy and we live in America.
Before we left I asked Mom if we could put Camilla in our suitcase. Mom said no… I tried.
Serendipity is a place with the most stunning view, with the best fresh food and a wine that makes grown-ups say “wow.” But for me, it’s the place where I fed a goose, made friends with a donkey, and learned that the most delicious vegetables are the ones growing right outside the window.
I want to come back. Tomorrow!!
