Jeweliet for a Day

"WE'RE GOING TO VERONA AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE JULIET!!!!" This was the cry of happiness that my mom heard for about three weeks before we even made it to Italy and although not everyone counts a Juliet Capulet statue as the 'real deal', I most certainly do. If only I found a Romeo while I was there...*sigh*

Romeo and Juliet is hands-down the most well-known Shakespeare play, read by high school freshmen everywhere and loved by heart-sick romantics across the globe...yours truly included. What could be more captivating then the tragic story of two star-crossed lovers that only ends in death? Although I haven't seen the traditional play on stage, I have seen 'The Last Goodbye' a musical adaptation of the original with songs from late singer/songwriter Jeff Buckley in San Diego, last October. One day, I'll make the pilgrimage to Ashland, Oregon to see and love the Shakespeare festival. Anyway, back to Verona...where we lay our scene. 
Once arriving in Verona, we made a short trek from the train station to our hotel,where we were greeted by unique decor including: a picture of Holland, a Chinese dragon painting, a gray sponge paint wall, an African mask, newly bought picture frames with the filler picture still in the frame, and a trio collage of  a man and his family that we had the pleasure to meet the next morning...when he served us breakfast. We quickly headed away from our view of the two statues outside our window and out into the 'fair' streets.

We walked the quaint streets until we came across a adorable little restaurant for the usual: Pasta.

Personalized food= happiness

The chef was sweet enough to personalize our plates with none other then....barbecue sauce, and these

pesto noodles were amazing and nothing like I'd ever tasted before! We then headed back to browsing the streets that were seemingly right out of Disneyland...

Where's Mickey?

Work it Momma!

In the midst of the town there is what is basically a mini Coliseum. Complete with arches and arena seating inside, the Arena di Verona, dates back to 30 AD and is still in use today. Unfortunately, there was no events going on in the Arena the two days we were in Verona...but maybe that will have to be my excuse to go back to Verona.

I'm regenerating!

We then head off to the most amazing casa ever- Giulietta's house!

Ok, so it's not the real house of the fictional Juliet...but millions of people travel around the world to see the building that Verona has commemorated to the two lovers, complete with balcony and note wall(for all of you 'Letters to Juliet')

Fancy seeing you here, Shakespeare...

Yah...my name's in the signature book, not a big deal or anything.

What a morbid picture to have hanging in your house Juliet!

The square before the attack of the children, European children need to learn some manners. 

No sit sit. You can touch the sculptures, but you can't sit in the chairs...

Lovin' the decor

I'm JEWEL-iet! Where's my Romeo?

Visiting Juliet's house has one more tradition attached besides the obligatory balcony picture as you sing Love Story by Taylor Swift, the boob grab. "What in God's name is that?" is what you're probably thinking...trust me, that's what my mom was thinking when we explained the tradition of rubbing Juliet's left boob for luck and well.. of course taking a picture. Duh.

I was beyond a sonnet with excitement to visit Juliet's house and Verona,where Shakespeare brought multiple plays to life. Looking back, I can see why Shakespeare would have chosen this city, it's so full of life and love you can practically see Romeo swooning over Juliet at the ball and fatal duels being fought at every street corner. Verona will forever remain one of my favorite cities, who knows, maybe I'll go back there with a Romeo of my own someday. Jewel.