On March 12th, Robert, Scott, and I rode the train to Verona, Italy. We thought it was supposed to be the high speed train, be we don't think it ever got up to anywhere near 300kmh. Maybe we'll get to ride a real high speed train when we go to Rome in May. I enjoyed the train, while Robert and Scott weren't as thrilled with it. I thought it was a very relaxing, stress free way to get to Verona.
When we got to Verona, the first thing we went to see was their Arena (Colosseum). It's the third largest Roman arena still standing, although much of the outer wall was destroyed by an earthquake in 1117. Scott took this picture from the top of the arena. It's still a pretty impressive arena - considering it was built in AD 30! During the summer, operas are performed here. I've read that the acoustics are so good that the performers don't even need microphones.
Scott took this picture looking out from the top of the arena. I love the narrow streets.
We had hoped to find some fun shops to go into, but alas, the shops we saw were all well out of our price range. We are not the sort of people who shop at Versace and Prada! We did see this quaint old car. I believe it was a Citreon. I had to take a picture. You just don't see cars like that in Texas!
We eventually made our way to the courtyard containing the "alleged" balcony from "Romeo and Juliet". We joined the crowds of people milling about the tiny courtyard. We read the famous words from "Romeo and Juliet".
We saw the balcony. It's not important that it's actually the balcony of a restored 13th century inn. We all imagined it was really Juliet's balcony
We eventually made our way to the courtyard containing the "alleged" balcony from "Romeo and Juliet". We joined the crowds of people milling about the tiny courtyard. We read the famous words from "Romeo and Juliet".
We saw the balcony. It's not important that it's actually the balcony of a restored 13th century inn. We all imagined it was really Juliet's balcony
We did not, however, have our pictures taken next to the life size statue of Juliet. Mainly because, in order to have your picture taken next to her statue, it seemed to be a requirement that you had to be cupping Juliet's right breast in your hand! And none of us wanted to do that! Apparently, that was supposed to bring you luck in love. We all decided to take our chances.After leaving Juliet's courtyard, we walked over to Verona's castle. I didn't include any pictures, because it really wasn't much to look at. Scott did take this pretty picture from a bridge looking over the Adige River.
We enjoyed our time in Verona. It was a pretty city with a lot of history (even if some of it is fictional).
3 comments:
WOW - you are getting to see some amazing things!! That colleseum (I apparently can't spell) is fabulous.
Well none of you really need luck with love at the moment. I would've totally cupped that statue's breast.
I would probably have cupped Juliet's breast simply because I will do much in the name of tourism.
On the other hand, that English degree of mine makes me cringe at treating Juliet like a real person. Especially since I don't even like that particular Shakespearean play.
Post a Comment