Aida and Thursday

The atmosphere was amazing. Thousands of people in this huge ancient arena. We got there about ½ hour before it started and squeezed into the cheapest area. We sat on huge stone steps. We were side on to the stage. I looked directly at the orchestra pit. Not the best seats in the house! The people around us were mainly local families. I had heard that there were often noisy tourists, but near us, hardly anyone made any noise at all. It started at 8pm and finished at 1 am. I was a bit foggy in class the next day. I enjoyed the music and the singing and the whole experience.

After a nice lunch - this time I had the tortelli con zucca ( sort of pumpkin ravioli) and Helen and M had capunsei ( small gnocchi like things) - I went to the tourist office to see if there were exhibitions on that I wanted to see and to get a bus route map. I also bought a proper map of Verona and some groceries. I had my first gelato of the trip. What restraint.

Helen, M and I had a simple picnic of rolls, cheese and tomato overlooking the river at the end of the street rather than go with the others to a fancy place and be up till late.