Verona

Ciao, tutti!

I am back in Bologna after spending a very sweet Valentine's Day in Verona, home to none other than Romeo and Juliet themselves! Due to an unfortunate camera accident I am currently unable to post any pictures, but shout-out to my good friends Lauren Claps and Rachel Kubacki for letting me steal some of their facebook photos!

With most of the people in my program in Venezia for Carnevale or away on other trips, some friends and I rallied the troops and planned a day trip to Verona, famous for ancient Roman architecture and Shakesperean romance. After arriving we visited the Arena (pictured above), an ancient Roman amphitheater (the third largest in Italy), and climbed all the way to the top to experience the amazing view - Verona is surrounded by mountains, and so from the top of the arena we were able to see some of the incredible snow-capped peaks.


The climb was well worth it, but it was no joke. Each step was about 2 feet tall, making it somewhat difficult for someone of my size to make the climb! I think this picture pretty much says it all...

Rachel K., myself, and Mayrav, trying not to tumble down 2,000 year-old steps.

After completing our climb in the Arena, we headed to La Casa di Giulietta, the home of Juliet. Tourists young and old crowded around the site, eager to touch the gold breast of Juliet's statue (which is apparently good luck - I however, did not know this and was somewhat concerned to see so many people consecutivelly violating Juliet) and pose on her famous balcony.

The four of us on Juliet's balcony: Lauren, Mayrav, myself, and Rachel K.

Needless to say, Verona was the perfect place to be for Valentine's Day - the streets were even flooded with red confetti and heart-shaped balloons!

I hope you all had a very Happy Valentine's Day as well! Now that I am back in Bologna, I plan to go first thing tomorrow to il fotografo, the photo shop, to see if my camera can be nursed back to health after its detrimental lens-first tumble onto cobblestones. Cross your fingers for me!