Day 3: Orientation and Tour

May 25th, 2012 (Originally posted May 30)

On way to university, met at cafe on the corner

University. learned about quiet hours, business hours, busses and trains

Break

After our break, the photography professor, Peter, took us on a walking tour of Verona, which he has visited many times before. We first walked to Piazza Erbe like we had the day before, but then we took a left, onto a shopping street paved with marble! There are many high-end clothing shops, a lot like Newbury Street (or at least, I think so). Also, people walk their dogs everywhere! This includes the marble streets and into the clothing stores. Naturally, when you take pets out in public, they will have to do their business, and in Verona they do it on the streets. Yuck. If you are lucky enough to visit Verona in the future, you have been warned. Also, I have to wonder what the unfortunate people with dog allergies do. They must either lock themselves indoors or take really heavy medication, because they are unavoidable here.

Street performers are really popular here. One man dressed as a Roman soldier came up to my group and did some role playing with Julia. I got pictures of one man who was frozen in time, with his tie and jacket thrown out behind him like he was in a rush! I would have thought he was a statue, but he sloooowly turned his head to smile at us (it was really creepy).

Keep in mind that this man is standing absolutely still! His tie and jacket are positioned to stay like that, and his hat is on the ground for money. I can't imagine how bad his back leg must hurt.

These two are also street performers; an Egyptian mummy and the Statue of Liberty (didn't quite get the color right, though)!

At the opposite end of the street was Piazza Bra, the largest and busiest piazza in Verona, which is built around the Roman Arena! When it was built in 30 AD (!!!), the arena was outside the city, but now, it's close to the center. It is one of the best-preserved ancient structures of all time, and has many operas and concerts there every year (Justin Bieber is singing on Saturday, June 2nd as part of Italy's independence day festivities)! If you want to read a little more on it, I'd suggest Wikipedia.

 As a side note, I can hear church bells ringing as I write this entre. Cool!

Across the piazza we found my favorite gelato place, which I think is better than Federica's favorite. Their gelato is creamier. Yum!

To be continued!!!
Castle, up the hill, took pictures of the city from above