Vava-Verona and Venice...!

This blog will be hard to write because Verona and Venice are better explained by pictures than words. They are two beautiful cities with less sights than Rome but a very “Italian” feel (go figure). I was very excited to get to Verona because of course, I associated it with Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” and I had been told that it was a really beautiful city. Well…our time there started off with a bang. First, I need to express to you how much I hate taking the bus. I hate it in Calgary, and I definitely hate it in foreign countries where I don’t understand how the whole system works, where to get off, how much it costs etc. Well, apparently what I lack in this area…Caroline also lacks. Neither of us had any idea what we were doing when we got on the very crowded bus with our backpacks on. There was a machine that looked like a ticket machine, but it was just a validation box. So, we tried this other machine but I dropped a euro on the floor, so Caroline bent over, trying to pick it up all the while nearly mauling the old lady standing in front of her. We start laughing, but just put the coin in again. It didn’t work so it fell out on the floor a second time. Caroline bends down again, the bus jerks and she falls forward and STILL can’t manage to pick the coin up. So, a man picks it up but instead of just giving it to us he dangles it in front of Caroline’s face (who thinks he is trying to stick it down her shirt) and eventually plops it into my hand all the while speaking in Italian with creepy eyes. Also, please imagine 50 people staring at us silently this entire time. Things didn’t get better once we got off the bus. We were in the middle of nowhere. I thought the bus driver had accidentally driven us to Alabama or something. Everything was closed or abandoned and there wasn’t any sign of civilization for miles. Our directions to our hotel weren’t that great so we ended up getting lost. We were looking for any place that would have someone who could help us when we stumbled upon a very interesting place…It was called “Full Cream, Full Drive” a gelato shop/car dealership. (Dad, there’s a new business idea for you). I don’t know why this place existed, or why they decided to give it such a horrible name, but luckily the man pointed us in the right direction and we found our hostel after walking up a hill for a half hour. The hotel was actually really nice but it was the middle of the most random area. We didn’t take the time to go into the city that night (mostly because we hadn’t expected to be “out” of the city), so we did some hostel booking and other administrative work that night. We went out to dinner at a pizza place and had the BEST MEAL EVER! It was a steal of a deal and really great quality.

We were hoping to get some gelato (or any sort of dessert), but ended up walking for half an hour without any luck. So we went to McDonald’s. I guess that’s one thing you can always count on…I was hoping that Verona would be more of what I expected the following day. I was NOT disappointed. Verona was absolutely beautiful! Although it was raining, it was not enough to deter us from seeing the sights! Actually, the only real “sight” in Verona is the “Romeo and Juliet” courtyard that supposedly inspired Shakespeare and the setting for the famous balcony scene. It was also the place where “Letters to Juliet’ was filmed so that was cool. But first, we went on a self-guided walking tour through streets, the old town walls, the duomo and many markets.
Caroline (the new photographer of the trip) got some great shots.




Then, it was off to the courtyard. It was really cool because the walls were covered with signatures from couples that had come to visit the site before. There were also a lot of people standing around Juilet’s statue.



We learned that it is custom to touch her breast so I did, but it was weird and made me feel awkward.

But Caroline said, “JUST DO IT, ANNIKA!” so we both did it together.

Then, we had lunch in the market. Caroline got yelled at for drinking from her own water bottle, and we finished the day off with some gelato!



After a little siesta at the hotel, we went out for dinner and then curled up in bed with our romance novels and read the night away! The next day we were headed for my favourite city in all of Italy…Venice!
I’m not sure if you’ve heard the expression, “Go see Venice before it sinks!” but let me tell you, I feel very blessed that I have been to this beautiful city twice. If you haven’t been, you should definitely put it on your list of “must see” places!

Our 2 hour train ride there wasn’t very comfortable because there weren’t any seats so we had to stand/sit awkwardly on the floor between two train cars. Thank goodness it was only 2 hours.

As soon as we arrived in Venice, we went to our hostel.
We got to our hostel and were greeted by George. He asked us to come sit down on his couch and began to explain to us how his hostel worked. Here is just a few of his one-liners that made what is usually a 30 second conversation a very awkward, random 20 minutes.
G: So…firstly, you ordered a double bed private room. Is that correct?
C: Yes!
A: That sounds great!
G: That is fine? You understand me?
Us: Yes…(look at each other) that is what we were expecting.
G: Ok. Can I see your passports please?
(We hand him our passports)
So, how do you guys know each other?
C: We worked at a camp together in Montana for two summers and have been friends ever since!
G: Oh yeah…you are under no obligation to tell me about how you know each other. I am just asking to make conversation.
A: ….Great!
G: So…the balance is 75 euro, 60 cents yes?
C: Yes
A: Yeah, let me get my mastercard.
(We are searching for our credit card while he waits there)
G: Okay…well I have been waiting for you to answer my question and you have not responded so…I will just continue.
He then pulls up the hostelbookers website showing us that we ARE, in fact at the hostel that we booked. He informs us that we are too early to check in, they only accept cash and if we had read the outline previously we would’ve been more prepared. He then proceeded show us how to lock and unlock three doors. He showed us this three times. The ironic part was we still couldn’t manage to actually make them work. He had to let me out of the bathroom once and that was awkward. Anyway, he was super weird but the hostel was really great. That day, Caroline and I walked for about 3 hours across the main island to get to San Marco square. I was excited because the last time I was here, I was kicked out because my shorts were too short. So…we were sure to be prepared this time! Caroline and I actually brought skirts with us to put over our shorts and changed in the middle of the square. Don’t be jealous.
Our walk to the square was beautiful! All of the canals were magnificent, and we simply joined everyone in the national sport of Italy (strolling) on a wonderful afternoon. We bought fresh fruit, stopped at a book store and quickly stopped for a bite to eat. (Sidebar-George told us the next day that he saw us eating there…lil’ creepy).



San Marco was beautiful and both Caroline and I were excited to go inside. There was a huge line, but thanks to Rick Steves’ we were able to take a shortcut! MUHAHAHAHA

Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures inside but it was quite the sight.





We walked home, got gelato and enjoyed the quaint spirit of Venice even though there are three times as many tourists as locals on the main island. I also am in love with the tiny streets that occupy the entire island!



That night, we decided to go out for a nice dinner. We had to take some diva photos before going out, of course.




We had a wonderful meal and it lasted about 3 hours because Caroline and I NEVER run out of things to talk about. It was definitely one of my favourite conversations we’ve had and I just find myself feeling so blessed by her friendship and thankful for the chance to spend so much time with her on this trip!
The next day we bought a ticket for the grand canal water taxi and LITERALLY rode on it for hours. We got a great seat at the front. Caroline took pictures, we talked, got off here and there but mostly just enjoyed Venice from the water.










We made a quick stop on the island of Murano, famous for its glass blowing. We also stopped for 5 euro milkshakes that were absolutely disgusting and made me hate Murano a bit. But, it was a lot less touristy than the main island and we got to see a real glass blower at work so that was really cool.



Also, a side note-we saw the CUTEST couple on the way back from Murano. She was pregnant, he was her doting husband. I couldn't help myself...

We were taking the late night train to Vienna so we stopped again at our hostel to change (and of course, say goodbye to our good friend George) and said our final goodbye to Italy! Today was our favourite day of the trip! Great conversation, lots of laughs, breathtaking views and…pictures to share!!
Sending love and hugs!!