Romeo O Romeo.. Verona!

Verona - 2/25/2013 -2/28/2013

Verona.. wow.. just when I think nothing can beat an adventure or city.. God shows me more beauty in a different way! I can't get over how much everything I do is so different. I am learning so much about life, cultures, love, trust, and relationships. We decided to stay an extra day after arriving in Verona because we loved the city so much. We had a bed and breakfast floor to ourselves, the best one we have stayed at yet. The couple was young and so nice. They made us breakfast and were so helpful with everything.

Verona is known for it being the home of Romeo and Juliet. (spelled with a G in Italian). Verona is also known for eating horse, since they had a period of time where the town was starving so they would have to eat the horses. I couldn't be in Verona without trying horse so Catherine and I planned on going to a restaurant to have it.

After settling in I went for a run. I couldn't believe how beautiful the small but busy town was. It is difficult to run in cities that are so distracting, so much I wanted to stop and see! The river and buildings were so charming that I didn't want to leave there! The river is beautiful, seeing people just happy and living their everyday life, and all the cute old people who ride bikes around town, so fun!

After checking out all the beautiful churches, shops, and markets Catherine and I went to dinner. We had fun sitting in the square at a restaurant and just visiting with the different locals we met. We walked into a small restaurant on a side street and they invited us in for wine. After speaking with the owner about the history of Verona he explained how it takes 30 hours to prepare horse and then he made us a plate to try. So awesome!! It was definitely a go big or go home experience. The horse tasted like a sweeter meat, not too bad actually. I would not order it but if someone got it for me I would eat it again. I still can't believe I ate horse!! (Poor Jack, Butterscotch, and Starburst.. the horses we had when I was a kid) We got some roses from some of the locals we met and just enjoyed our time in the city. When we visited the balcony of Juliet there was a wall you could write on.. Mom and Dad I wrote your names in a heart! :)

I met a new friend Giulia that worked at one of the shops. Everyone is so nice in Verona. We had fun talking about some of our travels and when I left she gave me a bracelet that she said means Good Luck in her culture! So sweet of her! I hope to be able to see her again someday she is such a great person!

One of favorite places in Verona was Lourdes Church at the top of the hill. It was quite the hike to get to it but so worth it. I ended up meeting some nuns and checking out there convent before finding it which was so neat. The church has a big window behind the alter and you can see Mary in the Grotto in the back of it. I just loved it so much and it makes me even more excited to go to Lourdes, France!