Alyn met me at the Verona train station at 9p.m. Weโ€™re meeting for the first time but I had no problem spotting her because she looks exactly like her sister, my friend, Ruby. She told me that her sister is on European Erasmus program and that I can visit or travel with her.ย Alyn and I exchanged couple of messages in facebook before my trip, but I forgot where she is based. With my plan-as-I-go style, my trip has been kind of erratic with schedules and directions. It just so happen that when I posted my unhappy status on Budapest, Alyn saw it. Turned out that sheโ€™s in Verona, 1.5 hours away from Venice.

 

verona

 

While I never planned to go to Verona, I ended up staying for 3 nights. It was a weekend so Alyn had time to spend with me. We even went on a day trip to Lago di Garda with her friend. Anyway it made me feel at home to be speaking in Tagalog the whole time and eating rice for breakfast. ย :-)

 


The beautiful town of Verona is one of the main tourist destinations in northern Italy. The city is named a UNESCO heritage site because of its urban structure and architecture. I was told that the reason this city has so many beautiful structures is that it had been ruled by many, everyone built something, and nothing got destroyedโ€“very different from the previous places I visited where only remnants of the past can be witnessed.

verona italy

 

verona italy

 

Verona Italy

 

Verona is also known for Romeo and Juliet as itโ€™s the setting for thisย famous play of Shakespeare. The city obviously bank on this and LOVE (Romen & Juliet souvenirs) is marketed everywhere.

The Casa di Giulietta built in the 13th century ย is one of the most visited site here. Its tiny courtyard is packed with tourists with the highlight being a bronze statue of Juliet where itโ€™s supposedly good luck charm for love to rub her. But any mood for loveย disappearsย with the pervert clowns rubbing Julietโ€™s bronze breasts (as in photo).

 

love

 

โ€œTwo households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.โ€ ย โ€” Romeo Juliet opening line