I traveled to Verona, which is just west of Venice, because
I wanted to see the place made famous by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. It is not a true story as the lovers never
existed however the families did and they didn’t like each other. But the town celebrates the lovers
anyway… I arrived by train (there hasn’t
been a strike in almost 3 weeks!) and found my ‘hotel’ tucked in a quiet back
street. I almost walked past it as there
is no sign, just the name stenciled on the door window. I had a sense of dread thinking it may be a
dive – I stepped in to find a clean but plain entry way and front desk. I sign in, place my breakfast order (it is delivered
to your room) and we climb the stairs to my room. When the clerk opens the door, I just about
pass out – its huge, luxurious, and the A/C is blasting! I even have a little kitchenette. WINNING!
The kitchenette is behind those doors – has a sink, mini fridge & cabinets stocked with glasses, plates and silverware.
The bed is a real king size bed, not two twins pushed
together – a real king size bed and it is so comfy. I never want to leave this room! I turn on the TV to find it works and they
have the BBC channel – I love the BBC!
Not only because they speak English and have American news stories but
because their interviews can get very spirited.
It is so good to see American news; at times I feel really cut off over
here. I can read newspapers on line but
when there is no free WIFI or very slow WIFI, it’s difficult. Not that I am a news junkie, but sometimes
I’d like to know what is going on over there…
After I get caught up with the world via the BBC, I stop by
the front desk for lunch recommendations and head out to explore the town. I am a block from the Adige River which
circles the old town – it is a beautiful walk.
I went to the restaurant that the clerk recommended as “not
a tourist place” and had the best Eggplant Parmesan that I have ever tasted. I
notice in this dish and many pasta dishes, they use the small cherry size tomatoes
in their recipes. So much flavor –
shazam!
The restaurant was across the street of a fortress, the
Castello San Pedro, so I explored that after lunch.
An aerial view of the restaurant where I had lunch.
A roof top porch that caught my eye.
After walking around the castle and through the castle
museum, it’s around 4pm and he heat is baking me to a crisp so I go back to the
hotel to cool down and regroup. As I am
chilling in my room, there is a knock on the door. It’s the hotel clerk with my complimentary bottle
of wine, oh this place is just getting better and better!
I go back out to explore the town around after again after 7p
and find the Piazza Bra, which is the main plaza in the old town. It is a people watching mecca.
There is a Roman Arena here and it is still used today for
concerts and shows, weather permitting of course as there is no roof.
No they aren’t real, they are props for a show.
After making a couple of laps around the plaza, I stopped at
a café for a cool drink and this guy came by and insisted I take his
picture.
After I took the shot, I put my camera down and sat really
still and he then hopped onto my table.
I spoke softly to him and asked if we met before, perhaps at that
Italian restaurant in Lucca? He started singing to me and kept it up for about
5 minutes or so. When he’d stop singing,
I talked to him again – sometimes English, sometimes Italian, and he would
respond with a song. He must have been
bilingual. This exchange also fascinated
2 small children a few tables away from me and after the bird had left the little
girl came over and asked if he was my pet.
I said no, just a friend. She is
6 and didn’t know that we could be friends with birds – which started yet
another great conversation…
7/4
It’s a quiet morning - there are no parades, no American
flags flying, no fireworks (I miss the fireworks…), no chicken barbeque for
sale at the fire house, and no burgers sizzling on any grill. It was a little bit of a bummer. I did what I could to celebrate it; I
started the day by saying the Pledge of Allegiance, I sang America the
Beautiful in the shower and as I walked the river I whistled My Country Tis of
Thee. Then I did what any American girl would do
in Verona, I went in search of Juliet’s balcony. Along the way, I past lots of interesting things:
Freshly made Gelato- can you see why I never get tired of the stuff?
A public fountain, which are everywhere over here, and the water is good and cold!
I’m heading in the right direction!
Wait, where was I going???
Street performer, the one in the middle.
Oh, he’s bad alright….
Rules – there are always rules!!!
And rule breakers - excuse me Miss but the sign clearly says not to go bare chested.
Snack time!
Finally I get to the ‘house of Juliet’. At first I think I’ve made a mistake – it
looks a bit messy to be a major tourist attraction.
Ah, here we are...
The make believe Juliet. As you can see, her chest gets a lot of attention from tourist. Rumor has it that if you rub her breasts, she will help you find your love.
Hmm - a statue of a person that never existed finds your lover, really??
O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?
On the way out, I looked for a place to sign my name but couldn't find a spot anywhere…
Oh wait, I’ll just add an L here to this one - - -
7/5
This morning I could find a few videos of 7/4 fireworks, but
the big American stations videos don’t play on the Italian internet, so I had
to find stuff on YouTube. Thank goodness
for you tube, I wouldn’t know what’s happening on America’s Got Talent
otherwise. Hahahaha…
I take off again to walk the city streets, starting with the
path along the river, and I see what I think are rats (but I’m not sure) along
the water’s edge. Apparently they have
been doing some celebrating of their own.
Really fella’s, beer this early in the morning?
The river is alive with activity as kayakers get in their
workout.
Back to strolling the streets and chilling wherever I can:
After a long day of strolling, I turn in early as I the heat
is a rising and because I really wanted to spend a little more time in my
luxurious hotel room. So I grabbed a Panini
to go, some beverages and had a picnic in my room as I watched the BBC. It’s another great ending to another great
day. I really enjoyed Verona; it is a
lovely place and has a romantic feeling in the air and it is also very well
known for its theater and arts. It was
a great stop on my Italy Sabbatical 2012 tour!
Next stop - Venice.
Ciao ~
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