Travel another way

Travel notes from Joan D., San Jose , California, one of our guests on the Provence tour. After our trip, she and her friend Eppie went to Italy.

“What’s so incredible is that most of downtown Verona is many centuries old, so historic, but to the residents its just part of their day to day landscape. You’ll see everyday businesses operating in these wonderful old buildings, or an ATM built into the side of a castle. Its so fascinating for us, but just part of life for them.

We eventually headed to Laura’s home and met up with her husband Valerio. They live in a suburb about 20 minutes away from downtown. They just moved into a beautiful brand new Condo 10 days ago and between Valerio working and Laura keeping up with 3 year old Nicolo and 10 month old Elia (ee-lee-ah) it’s a wonder that they were  organized. Of course, they aren’t unpacked yet, but its home sweet home. (The last time I saw Nicolo was 15 months ago. While he was very shy at first, he said ‘Bella Joan’)  We went out to a ristorante that had 6 or 7 PAGES of pizza choices. That’s what? Over 75 kinds? Decisions, decisions.

While we were there Valerio reviewed the pages of activities he had researched as options for us to go see and do. He said after reading all my emails from France with the tour French Escapade, he felt he had to measure up to those experiences.

The next day Laura (and Elia) took us to the Basilica San Zeno, the oldest and most significant church in Verona, which just happens to be in the neighborhood where Laura grew up. St. Zeno is the patron saint of Verona and he was also black, being from Africa. His claim to saint hood is that he converted ALL of Verona from pagans and mere christians to Catholics. As in Pisa, San Zeno’s relics are on display. The church is fascinating, it took centuries to build. Laura has always appreciated the irony of San Zeno being black because many people from Verona are very “racist” and prejudiced; even those from other regions of Italy (such as Sicily) are often disliked and discriminated against. In 1999 Laura + Valerio couldn’t get married at City Hall because Valerio is from Sicily and the Mayor ‘didn’t like’ people from Sicily and would not allow the wedding there.”