Romance in Verona

We thought that Verona would be a good stopping point on the drive back to Munich.  Time to stretch out in the windy streets, and enjoy a little of the romance of Romeo & Juliette – especially at night.

It was also a perfect place to be on May 1, labor day in Europe, and normally a day when everything is shut down (seriously even the subway system was closed until 3pm the year we were in Vienna)…  Everything was open in Verona, and open late!  YEA!!

Nana & Papa in the courtyard entrance to Juliette’s balcony, while Sophia & I went into the “Museum to Love” in order to play Juliette. 

and check out the dinner party being set up on the terrace on the next building! The Roman Arena, which is still used for Operas during the summer season, was being set up for a concert – amazing to see how many people fit inside! Troy & Alexandra met up with our friend Dominic and his daughter Ida, and played near the fountain while waiting for us… And then the girls just played & played… street performers are so great for kids!  Alexandra kept walking closer & closer, she was really fascinated with the music & the show.

Family time

When do you take family photos if it isn’t on family vacation?

Cottage play time

Assisi – A Pilgrim Town

The crowds of people at the basilica were surprising after a week that was so quiet…even more so when it was the kids… but the views were still amazing! (first family photo taken by Sophia) The cloisters below the basilica, the original church was founded just 2 years after the death of St Francis…  We spent a lot of time in the gift shop, and Alexandra was able to run around the very holy steps.  (as a San Francisco boy, Troy was very proud…) Lexa was not so helpful with photos at the end of the day, but really quieted down as we entered the crypt of the abbey, and there was a mass going on for one of the tour groups.  She loved listening to the music – who wouldn’t love music in this experience – and made us realize how much we miss our community… Hopefully soon!

Assisi – a Roman walk

Compared to the other hilltowns we visited this week, Assisi was not as much a hill town, but a pilgrim destination and a very religious experience – if you could get past the crowds of people.   We started at the upper side of town and worked our way down to the basilica.  The old roman area, which is now supporting the walls of a neighborhood.  You can still see the curve of the original walls, and the homes are filled with very elderly people (mom thought we were walking into an old folks home).Troy & Alexandra just outside the city walls with an amazing view of the countryside below.  It was very entertaining watching the cars & trucks jockey their way thru the old city gates. It is interesting that the basilica isn’t built on the highest point of the hill, there is already a fortress up there…(Fortress Maggiore)  The walk thru the town took us to the cathedral (where St Francis was baptized).  It was under this cathedral, following the 1997 earthquake, that a cemetery & Roman temple (from the time of Christ) were found, that were the foundations for the original church at this site.  The girls loved climbing the lions that were guarding the main entrance, even if the lions were eating Christian martyrs at the same time… then continuing to the town center where they were setting up for the medieval festival (traditional costumes & roasted pigs)    The temple of Minerva, now the church of Santa Maria, is directly in the center of town.  Temple on the outside Church on the inside. Setting up for the parade… even the bins are decorated.

and flowers everywhere (even if they weren’t real they were appreciated as the first flowers we have seen all spring – we have had a VERY wet & cold spring) taking a break from the views, Alexandra decided she was done with the stroller. a family photo or two and then the girls were off down the hill… and on to the basilica…