10 Things I Don't Hate About My Verona

June 14

Padua

Where we felt it necessary to make a shout-out to our good friends

Shakespeare

&

Cole Porter

Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew is set in Padua

which Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate is based off of

and so is 10 Things I Hate About You

Italy loves Heath Ledger

So I had to sing a little "I Hate Men" from Kiss Me Kate

Shanelle did a diddy called "So In Love"

And Vinnie flattered us all with "Too Darn Hot"

We wouldn't be music geeks if we didn't randomly perform/break out in song all around the world,
now would we?

We also made a pit-stop at St. Anthony's Cathedral where his jaw, tongue, and voice box are all located.  Unfortunately, this is all I learned about this particular church. Oh, and that I sincerely hope I never have to see any of those body parts on display again.

More importantly

following the days events, we discovered yet another

 Venchi Gelato shop

where I found

Taylor, the Gelato Boy

yes

he did bring me ice cream

and he brought me joy

and he won "The Most Adorable Italian" award.

I would have taken a picture of him, but that is creepy.

And

I also considered putting him in my suit case and bringing him back to America but unfortunately, that is illegal.

June 15

Verona

The setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

So naturally

we had to travel to a Roman amphitheatre and select the most

appropriate actors in the choir to reenact

Romeo and Juliet in

The Balcony Scene

and yes, it was the perfect amount of cheesy and ridiculous to prep one for the rendition of the West Side Story medley that we also decided to perform...

and quite poorly, might I add.

Good thing we were our own audience.

We then, of course, ran by Juliet's house to say "hey!" and read a few letter's that had been left behind.

We also went to the Roman arena.

This stage, however, was being taken up by some famous opera...(Verdi's Aida)

guess they didn't hear we were in town.

Dr. Hunter LOVED the arena.

And I finally got my cannoli!

We ended the day with the celebratory picture of Mr. Ricard Bordas' fabulous studio

(enter Mr. Bordas in the blank space between me and Steph)

And just for kicks, here's our studio 2 years ago in Salzburg, Austria.

Arrivederci, Italy!!!!

Until next time...happy trails.