Two gentlemen of Verona

Monday, August 14

In our short but vivid experience of Verona, I think Ken will agree with me that the generosity and kindness of Stefano and Giampiero (l to r in photo) sum everything up for us.  Maybe it's something in the water here, or in the wine, but  we feel we have met old friends -- not only Giampiero and Stefano, but Laura, Maria (Stefano's wife) and Alex and his wife Micaela. 

On Tuesday, the big national holiday, Stefano devoted the day to Ken and me.  He shepherded us through many of the top sights of the city, notably Sant'Anastasia, the Duomo, the Roman theatre (I haven't met a Roman ruin I didn't love), and even the reputed houses of those wild and hormonally insane kids, Romeo and Giulietta. 

Then we went to the fine San Rocchetto restaurant for dinner with Maria, Alex and Micaela.  (Forgive me, we ordered a 19 euro Lagrein whose producer I forget -- it was cheap and very good).  Ken left for the opera at 8:30 but we went on talking about books, wine, art and who knows what else till almost 11  pm.  I haven't had such a stimulating, laughter-filled conversation in years -- it was like being in college but with the wisdom of maturity.  (I think that's what it's called; either that or just being knocked around quite a bit.)

After Micaela and Alex went home, Stefano and Maria accompanied me to the Arena, very concerned that I not be lonely.  What a beautiful conclusion to our stay in Verona.

And I haven't even written about the blowout dinner that Adriano Liloni served us high above Lake Garda...