Rehearsal Night:
We were right in front of the stage, second row for the rehearsal. Perfect for my close-up experience (and photos) with Andrea. It was amazing to be that close to such great talent. After the rehearsal, we hung out a bit people watching since traffic was so bad getting out. I happen to notice this guy go up to a lady and ask her to sign the concert program book. I wondered who she was; she looked of someone of importance. I heard the guy who asked her talking English, so I went up to him and asked him who she was...he goes, "Oh, that's Mama Bocelli! You should go talk to her, she is really nice!" It took me about 20 mins of Ronnie egging me on and for me to get up the courage to go up to her...as she was talking the whole time to family and friends so I would have to interrupt her (I did not want to). By this time, I was starting to feel like a groupie. She then started to leave...so Ronnie and I caught up with her and I finally asked her for a photo. She was super nice and very lovely! That is her with both of us below! :) It made the night. We were saying, that was as close to Andrea we would ever get, but it was cool to meet her - such a strong and great woman! We were wowed!

The Evening of the Concert:
The same sweet couple we met that told us about Mama Bocelli told us about the family's wine cantina and about all the cool things they sold there. So we decided to go over there before the concert. I was in heaven...Bocelli wine and other cool Bocelli products. Then I asked the lady who was helping us if we could sit and buy a glass a wine to drink while we waited for the rain to stop. She said sure and asked her husband to get us some wine...on the house! So nice of them! After I asked her if she was related to Andrea. She said, "Yes! I am his sister-in-law and the guy who gave you the wine was his brother!" Ahhh! I then realized the kids I was talking to in there...her kids...means they are Andrea's niece and nephew! So yes, here we were in a little city in Tuscany, in a little wine cantina hanging with a bunch of the Bocelli's! Then I got enough courage to ask his brother, Alberto, for a photo. (See below...not smiling though...I'm sure he was thinking...,"Stalker".) Then we went to the concert...we were center stage, 12th row back. It was so beautiful and wonderful of course! We got to sit there and drink a bottle of the Bocelli wine as we watched the concert.

The Day after the Concert:
The next day we went back to the wine cantina to buy a book with his autograph in it (we saw that same couple and they told us about it). His sister-in-law recognized us and said hello again! (Stalker). She said they were out of the book in English; they only had it in Italian. I said that is fine, I will buy it...she looked at me like...ok. (Stalker). So got the book and left promptly. We left the city going to our next city to visit Siena, then drive through Chianti, then on to Florence for our last day. We drove away from Lajatico (Bocelli's hometown) to Siena (1 1/2 hour drive). We were having lunch and decided that we knew a lot of people who would want to have some Bocelli wine. We looked online and could not find a way to buy it easily. So we got a crazy idea to drive all the way back, give up our day in Chianti, and ask the Bocelli's how to buy in bulk. We were both so nervous; we felt such a strong feeling though to go back. I did not want them to think we seriously were stalking them...but we REALLY enjoyed the wine and wanted others to experience it. So we drove back, fast - as we were scared the cantina might close. We got there in time, but the place was packed, so we waited outside for it to die down. As were were waiting, up comes Alberto, so I stop him and ask about how to get the wine in Texas. He was unsure and said his wife knew more. So we go in, but she is busy with customers. So we wait...the place is so small and there is only one place to sit on a small bench. And who is sitting on the bench...Mama Bocelli! So I go and chill next to her waiting. One hour goes by...hehehe...yes, I know...groupie...stalker....! Then Ronnie says, "Jesika he is in here!" I lift up my head and in walks Andrea! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I tell Ronnie to run and get the camera. He was coming in to pick up some wine. There were only about 10 people in the cantina and the place is very small. People were asking for his autograph. Just when I was going to ask for an autograph, he turned to leave. I thought...autograph...blah...I want a photo! So out it came, "Andrea can I take a photo". He stopped and turned around to me and said, "Yes! What is your name...Where are you from?...Texas?! Wow! What do you have a magic crystal ball?" I take it he was surprised as if I knew he would walk in right at that time. That is us laughing about it (photo below). I told him how awesome he is and how much Alexis loves his music too! Then a few more asked for his photo and he left! It all lasted about 8-10 mins that he was there. So even though they said I can not order bulk wine from them, we were meant to turn around and go back for something even better. What are the odds!? Totally crazy. We even made comments prior how meeting him would just be amazing and make the trip perfect....and it was!

All images © copyright 2010 jesika cook photography.