It was with great enthusiasm that I told my husband that the Barber of Seville will be on show in Verona this year (and he, compared to a buck, also received this news with great enthusiasm...haha)! Since it was my old desire (our desire) to go to the opera festival, he naturally didn't think much about it and immediately looked for the details. The next step was to mention a series of mammas, because the stupid Italians can't even sell a normal ticket, but he quickly overcame the problem (as always) and I already had stomach cramps, what will happen to my Mimó for a weekend. I immediately talked the dear fairy godmother into helping us out, so that was resolved.
On the day of the trip, we obviously didn't get up early, we didn't leave on time and there was a traffic jam on the road. However, Adri skilfully avoided the crowd and so we traveled on a nicer, calmer road, and we also arrived in good time... to another accommodation... because of the abnormal Italians (haha)! We wandered out in the outskirts and the GPS always led us to only one place, namely the wellness of the Hotel löbidé. We sat pale in the car and I just kept saying that this was not possible, I booked a hotel right next to the arena so that I could drive around in high heels after we had a drink or two. We compared the addresses on all possible platforms and it turned out that we could not find the correct address due to a small typo. Huhh, a big stone fell from our heart. Actually, we shouldn't have been surprised, because this always happens.
Our real accommodation was in the center in a quiet little street. Super small room, clean and quiet. It is certain that if we go again and there is room, we will book here again.
We finally packed up and took the city on our shoulders. What is the biggest problem with Italians? You'll definitely get there at siesta time. And what do you want as soon as you arrive? To eat, of course. The problem is that not just any restaurant is good for us. Everything I checked was closed, except for one...only the kitchen was closed until six, which is not good for us, because by the time we finish and get back to the accommodation...so we are not in a hurry. The girl said that she could put together a few things for us that didn't require culinary arts, so we were totally satisfied and found ourselves at a fabulous spread-out table.
After we finished, we started back and saw that people were already gathering at the arena. It was roughly seven o'clock and the show started at nine. This is if you don't buy a ticket in advance, in which case you unfortunately have to go early, you won't get a normal seat and you can push yourself in the heat. It's not an option for me, never was.
We walked back to the accommodation, taking photos and videoing a bit. This city is beautiful and always shows a different face. I still call it a mix of a mini Rome and Venice. Two in one.
I thought we went back, we were getting ready. Unfortunately, we couldn't bring a camera, because it is accepted to take videos or photos, but only with amateur equipment, and that is the phone. That's how we took a couple of shots, but I vowed not to upload phone pictures here, so I stick to it.
The evening was wonderful, the performance was magnificent! Beautiful scenery, fabulous sounds. Cool aperol spritz, champagne! This is really the event for me! I note that many people are not able to behave appropriately for the occasion, they come in rows and T-shirts. I wouldn't have let them in, especially since there was a dress code. Some fainted from the heat and were taken away by an ambulance (although maybe not from the heat, but from the sight of how few of them know good manners-LOL), but even that was handled professionally. Yes, by the way, there were a lot of paramedics, police, etc. at the scene, the access control system is just like at an airport.
When the performance was over (around half past one), we sat in the square for an aperol. Almost everyone did. When the performers left the arena and walked along the korz, everyone stood up one by one in the restaurants (outside) and were accompanied by loud ovations and applause. Goosebumps even now as I write these lines. Truly an eternal experience!
Walking towards the accommodation, we stopped at a bar, but only because there was atmospheric jazz playing and the boy serving was very cute. It was a pleasant, warm evening, everyone was hanging out outside, and we were alone for a long time. And I didn't have my camera!
The morning came quickly...and I called for coffee! What a drama! There was no vegetable milk, so for the first time in my life I drank it black, simply with sugar. And how delicious it is! I mean the coffee.
After we packed up, we took off the packs that were enough for a week, we went to see the city, have breakfast and drink another coffee. We didn't bowl much, we went back to the restaurant where we ate the day before. We drove up the mountain to see the city from there, then down to via Mazzini, Adri couldn't resist Stanley Tucci and bought a summer jacket and shirt from him. I would have bought it too, the man had such a radiance. A true sprezzatura feeling of life. I love stupid Italians! After that we only had one thing to do...home! Going home to our little hero, who probably slept through this weekend, except when godmother sang to him from the golden hair. I'm sure he loved it, because he loves everything that is singing or reading.
I left the video that Adri made for the end. Recently I started vlogging. Well, of course not in the traditional sense, because I don't like to speak, but in a kind of Asian style, with subtitles. In other words, it's more of a mixture of Eastern and Western styles, because I don't speak, but the pace is a little faster. Whatever. Check it out if you haven't seen it yet. And if you like it, subscribe, because it will make me very happy...
I wish you a nice summer! I'm still planning one or two summer blogs, and then I'll dive into the fall! Yuppiii!!!
