The train got to Verona around 7:15 PM, and only then did I find Russ and Jennifer, who had gotten on in a different train car. We took the bus to the Ostello, registered and got our beds, and found dinner in a nearby pizzeria. I had proscuitto pizza (that's ham for you non-Italy people). We returned to the hostel and I ended up talking to 4 Middle-aged Italian men by myself. It was fun, since only one of them knew any English at all, and that was just the little he had picked up from movies. We talked about American cities and money, which let me practice my language skills a little. I decided to go to bed, since tomorrow will be a day full of sightseeing.
10-27-02 -- I had trouble sleeping again...got maybe 5 or 6 hours. Breakfast was coffee, rolls, and jelly. Russ, Jennifer, and I then left to go sightseeing for the day. I took over today and led the sightseeing myself...much better than in Bologna. How can you call it sightseeing if you walk through the streets with your nose in a guide book, looking for the next 'recommended' attraction. Some of the best stuff is off the beaten path. We started off the morning at Castle San Pietro, where we got some great aerial views of the city. Next, we explored the ruins of an Ancient Roman Theater for about an hour and a half. There were alot of cats roaming around, and we fed one cat some bread. We then headed to Piazza Erbe and climbed the tower. It was 368 steps to the top level, and my fear of heights and mild claustrophobia set in again about halfway up, but I battled it and reached the top. The views were definitely worth it. I had a calzone for lunch in Piazza Erbe, and saw a little girl having some fun feeding pigeons. Next, we headed to the Ancient Roman Arena, which was spectacular. It only made me want to see the Colossuem in Rome even more. We then walked through the streets until we got to the house known as the 'Casa di Guilietta' or the House of Juliet, where it is considered good luck to rub the right breast of the bronze female statue in the courtyard. Next we went to Castelvecchio, which is an old castle right on the river. It was pretty cool, and housed a museum inside. My favorite room was one that housed a bunch of Medieval weapons, including swords, axes, spears, helmets, and armor. The rest of the museum is dedicated to paintings, and includes a few nice pieces, but nothing too amazing. Bad thing was that once you started the tour, you had to go through every single room to exit at the end...it took a while, and eventually you get tired of looking at old paintings. We decided that our last stop would be the Chiesa di San Zeno. We then walked along the river for about 2 km on our way back to the hostel. Now, I liked Bologna, but it was a little too busy for me. Verona on a Sunday is perfect. Plus, the river makes this city so worth it! It's beautiful. We stopped on one of the banks, and I picked up a rock as a souvenier. We got back to the hostel in time for dinner and it was pretty good. The first course was Tuna spaghetti, and the second course was Steak and cabbage. I talked to a bunch of travelers after dinner: Adam, a British guy who I talked to about Greece and I gave him some recommended sights in Bologna; Kurt & Catrina, two Canadians who were on their honeymoon and travel to Venice tomorrow; and this French guy who had just retired from 45 years of teaching mathematics, and is now in Italy for 7-8 months to learn Italian and 'get in touch' with his heritage, since his father was originally from Bologna. Well, Jennifer leaves for Venice tomorrow, and Russ and I are headed for Lago di Como (Lake Como). More updates and stories tomorrow...ciao!