Verona

At the Roman Theater

I had no idea that the "Roman Theater" was actually very old, very cool ruins!

View of the Roman Theater and of Verona

Juliet's Balcony (or so they say)

Juliet's mailbox

I was so sad when I found out that the letters to Juliet wall was just for the movie. However, at least they did have a mailbox! And when I went into the casa di Giulietta on Sunday, I got to email "Juliet"! I hope she replies! :) (Though why I'm asking Juliet for love life advice I do not know. I don't think she's such an expert.)

Successfully made espresso with a moka!

I stayed at the most adorable place ever (its called Ai Leoni). We got an amazing deal on it, so not only was it cheap but it had this adorable kitchen. There was even an espresso maker! The espresso maker ran out of espresso so I attempted to make coffee with a moka. All I knew was that Italian coffee makers somehow work from bottom up. I put the coffee in the bottom and the water under that and put it on the stove. My travel buddy was very doubtful that it would work. So she checked it and then she casually said, "Yep, it's working." I was surprised and had to see it to believe it. I was so proud of me! I need to get me one of these!

La casa di Giulietta

We went back to Juliet's house early in the morning to beat the crowd. In the left of the picture is a love locks gate, in the middle is the statue of Juliet, and on the right is the balcony. I'm so glad that this little girl photobombed my pic.

Entrance to Juliet's house

The walls of this tunnel were completely covered in love graffiti.

View from Juliet's house

Romeo's house

Of course, after seeing Juliet's house we had to go to Romeo's house. We got there to find a closed gate. Fortunately, the gates started opening... and then a car pulled out! It is someone's house! I don't know how the family ended up in Romeo's house (whether it was their's or "Romeo's" house first) but they did not look too thrilled to see us. They waited in their car for the gate to close because they seemed to think that we would try to bolt inside. I gave them my best I'm-not-a-creepy-stalker smile but they just glowered at me in return. I think that they've had problems with fans before.

The Arena

The Arena is where gladiators used to fight! Now it is still used for concerts and things like that.

View from the Arena of the open market

I went to this market (see the tents?) after the Arena and I got to sample cheeses and chocolates.

Still in the Arena

The Outside of the Arena

 

Il Castelvecchio

The Castelvecchio was amazing ! ! ! It was this very paranoid guy's castle at one point and I got to walk on the tops of the walls and go on the bridge. I liked seeing all of the strategically placed holes in the walls where I bet canons were placed for protection.

The inside of the Castelvecchio

Now the Castelvecchio is a museum. It is definitely my favorite museum, though! One minute you're looking at yet another madonna and child painting, and the next you're on top of the castle!

View from the castle's bridge

Juliet's "Tomb"

Juliet's "tomb" was not the least bit creepy to me, because I looked into the tomb and there was no one there, of course! 

 

"Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight!/ For I ne'er saw true beauty until this night." -Romeo and Juliet (Had to do it. Warning: Verona is a very romantic city.)