Verona

Dear Blog Readers,

There are many of you who visit this blog. Much, much more than I would have ever imagined.
I'm so delighted that I was able to share this fun time with you. It was a trip for my mother and I to get away, spend time together, shop and just live in our favorite place to visit.

My father's side is Italian and my mother's is Irish, but I'm pretty sure that when she is over there she blends right in... (despite the bright blue eyes and blonde hair). She loves it there so much.

She often joked that she couldn't find me in crowds. That might be because I have an olive complexion, I have dark hair and I can produce an Italian accent when I put my mind to it...but allow me to offer a little word of advice when it comes to packing for a trip to Italy and "looking the part".

PACK COMFORTABLE SHOES.

I know to do this- I've had the good fortune of experience, but I don't listen. I'd much rather wear my normal wardrobe and try to look fashionable (and I like heels and cute ballet flats and boots especially). Forget about it... if you are walking all day long- just make sure you have some sort of sporty shoe (not Nikes). I don't care if it's those Prada ballerina sneakers or a pair of havianas (those are fabulous too), just be comfy.

I ruined another pair of boots on this trip because I'm stubborn. My next trip, I will probably pack heeled boots yet again. I reserve the right to ignore my own advice.

/end rant.

Verona was the answer when Padua was not. Our plans were to visit Padua (St. Anthony's home), but some things didn't work out. There's always next time.

Verona was beautiful as I'd imagined, but I was only there for one day. We spent most of our time walking along the Adige River, which proved to be picturesque and joyous.

Ponte Pietra is the more famous bridge (there are many here). When I imagined Verona, I always envisioned this bridge, the river and of course, the bell tower at Sant'Anastasia.

If you are ever in Verona and Romeo and Juliet commercialism is not exactly your thing, then walk through the Piazza delle Erbe and visit Sant'Anastasia church. You will see the "hunchback" attributed to Veronese's father and my personal favorite, a Pisanello fresco which illustrates Saint George saving the princess from the dragon. The church is Gothic in style and well worth a trip.

And for Romeo and Juliet hopefuls (oxymoron?), we did visit Juliet's "home" and her tomb. There was also a building nearby that we stumbled upon that is also mythicized to be Romeo's home. All I know is that it was fun to visit and to stand on the balcony... historical facts and records of Shakespeare in Italy aside, the little girl in me paid the 6 euros and climbed to her balcony.

I also wrote her a note, dammit.

I'll let you know I hear from her...

Without further delay, here are the VeronaPhotos

Thank you all for your lovely phone calls and emails since I have returned. I promise to catch up on all of the chapter updates.

A few FF announcements:

My very dear friends cosmoandmarvar are hosting a Summer One Shot contest called "Summer Lovin'". Contact them for information. It will be so much fun!

I am hosting a readalong for Cosmogirl7481 as well. It will be on June 22 at 9:00 pm EST I believe.

A few recs:
I am continuing to rec "The Cullen Campaign" by belladonna1472. You don't have to be a politico do enjoy the sexy banter. It's decidedly bipartisan... I can assure you that both sides are *working together*. Tell her I sent you.
Also to "Mens Rea: A Guilty Mind" by killerwardsmuse. For all those who appreciate a throughly complex criminal plot. Rachel also seems to have stolen my iPod.. I swear her taste in music is so much like my own. Special Thanks to Raizie for introducing me.
"The Gentleman from Washington State" by MissBettySmith. Senator Cullen teaching LSAT logic? That's all.
"Guardian" by ChampagneAnyone (@AllyinPerth). More legal drama.

I'm in a political/legal mood with my recs. Enjoy.

Some of you have asked if I will blog future trips, or just blog about whatever interests me. I would definitely do another trip on here, but I can't imagine my thoughts being that exciting for an "everyday" sort of thing... I'm flattered even by the response to this, y'all are sweethearts.

All my love,
Brooke