My winter visit to Verona was brief, but enchanting, as this story is intended to be as well. Shy but curious steps carried me on that sunny, cold day from the parking lot towards the arch gateway with clock tower. This is an entrance to Piazza Bra of Verona. Up until now, everything seems incredibly well-preserved, I could vividly feel centuries and centuries of existence, battles and love stories quickly unfolding just before my very eyes. I was beginning to think that was going to be more of a day back in time, and it kind of was. Piazza Bra was not crowded at that time, some few people walking around, few tourists since it was December already, thus a complete joyful moment for the Moonchild. Cafes and terraces fancily border the piazza on one side, while on the other, the Roman amphitheater guards the surroundings. Built as an arena (its name nowadays, also) for gladiator games, it is almost intact inside even today and serves as a famous venue for cultural events during summertime. As I continued to walk, instinctively, towards the Capulets’ mansion, more and more narrow streets and alleys began to appear, and more and more shops, mostly luxury ones, found their place, some in the front, some more at the back. This labyrinth went on for a while, alongside the promenade on paved forgotten alleys. My mind was time-traveling, but everything else felt real, it was real, and even in the momentary distraction, confusion and dizziness, I found myself right in front of the entrance to the Capulets’ residence. A dark hallway with incredibly many handwritten messages would lead you towards the patio. Some messages were written above others, in many colourful and creative manners. The patio was filled with people, all glancing or taking photos of Juliet’s balcony. What else is there? Well…A statue, representing Juliet Capulet, greets visitors in hues of bronze and dark greens. By its left side, a wall filled with colourful pink, burgundy, dark pink, white, red and violet locks, simply hanging in crowded formation as remembrances of all those who put step inside. Glanced once more at the wall writings with curiosity and confusion, and then left towards Piazza delle Erbe, which is close by. Bought roasted chestnuts to keep me warm and cozy. The sun was doing its best, but it was still December, so it soon began feeling quite cold. One of the most interesting aspects I have seen in Verona is the statue of an angel in front of Duomo di Verona – Verona Cathedral. The worried expression of this angel made me shiver, as the blue garments on it seemed to be moving together with the wind. Its majestic wings are stretched, and its allure inspires the strong oxymoron created by power and delicacy. I stood there for a while, simply admiring and asking tones of questions in my mind. Not very far away, rests Ponte Pietra, over the wide Adige river. Birds fly by and stop to salute tourists. You can see Verona taking the shape of this river and crawling back and forth, or you can simply observe people walking by, see how they behave, see how they react when sun caresses their faces, hear how they speak to each other or how their steps are (it might tell you a lot about their spiritual status, whether they are calm, peaceful, or, on the contrary, sad, angry, frustrated, agitated, worried, lost, forgotten). As I walked on and on and on, the chicness of old Italy found and took over me, by surprise. Old buildings, in red bricks, with flower shops or coffee shops or simply any kind of shops on the ground floor waiting for customers in a “dolce vita” ambient, rose in my way like clouds rise in the sky. I finally decided to stop by Ebrius Café and taste a caffé d’orzo (or simply, orzo), a traditional hot drink originating in Italy, as I turned pages in the book I was reading at that time. Sunglasses on, ready to be on the go again. But so much walking made me a bit hungry, so I took a late lunch at Locanda 4 Cuochi, which I strongly recommend for its relaxed atmosphere, incredibly tasty food and hospitality. One of my friends in Venice advised me to eat here, and now it is my turn to tell you guys about it. Back to Piazza Bra, I noticed a carousel really close to the Arena. Went straight to it and imagined how dreamy ponies with colourful braids in their hair would take me throughout the world, flying above the amethyst sunset clouds, up to ecstatic Neverland, where bliss embraces you. Patiently rolling one last roasted chestnut in my hands, I said farewell to the city of Romeo and Juliet, delightful Verona which introduced me even further to the Italian environment of past ages, to a unique spirit of the Veneto area, and which gave me a chance to live yet another day of introspection and self-inquiry…
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