Exploring Verona, Italy

Nice Italian breakfast at the Hotel … plan for the day => catch a hop-on-off bus and see/learn more about Verona.
Stepped out on the plaza and behold there are police, and politicians everywhere … a large part of the plaza was cordoned off to make way for two groups of police (say ~50 in one group and ~25 in another) … all dressed in their ‘blues’ … politicians being escorted via red carpet to the huge viewing stand (set up over night) … elementary school children (~25) waving flags (probably flag of Verona … not Italy) … a single bugle sergeant … police cars & motorcycles neatly aligned on the plaza grounds (~20) … a master-of-ceremonies with a ton of medals … and a moderate crowd of civilians.

Soon the activities began and we think it is the annual awards ceremony to recognize valor, service & promotions (we’re pretty sure).   Anyhow, we watched the event until it’s conclusion … in all, about an hour.

Found our way to the hop-on-hop-off bus stop … two routes, 1 hour each.  As you leave the plaza the wall around the city still standing and quite impressive … the story of this 2,000 year old city was told and places of interest identified.

Of course the most interesting to us is Giulietta home … buy a ticket to enter … inspect her home and visit the famous balcony where she called out for Romeo … so Karen went out on the balcony whilst Mel stood below with camera … NO singing !!! … however, in the garden where Mel stood, also stands a bronze statue of Giulietta … and it is said if one rubs her breasts then they shall be blessed with good luck … so, Mel gave it a try !!!

As we returned to the Plaza we heard the sounds of ‘tear-down’ the facilities for the opera series … coming from The Arena … so, we returned to see the huge scaffolding (curtains removed) and sound technology used last evening … what a huge job to remove all this and ready for the winter season … large crew removing & labeling every single piece to prepare for the 2014 opera series.

Yes, this day had a lot of nice ‘surprise’ built in … we, being all caught up in the Romeo & Giulietta opera, really enjoyed Verona!