Verona 2013

Here's a random collection of some of my favourite shots around Verona. This first one is taken from the comfortable seats at Caffe al Teatro on via Roma, early one Sunday.

Three of the great guys at Caffe al Teatro

My favourite picture for the whole trip. We were walking home after seeing Rigoletto at the Arena and this door was open with the beautiful shadow.

Placido Domingo, at the Arena.

The outdoor part of a local bar.

His and hers?

A lovely new friend, Federica Casanova, a mosaic artist here in Verona.  I took a class with her and despite breaking most of her tiles, now we're buddies.

John's birthday dinner. Looks pleased, doesn't he?!

More new friends, made at Caffe al Teatro, and hopefully we'll stay in touch.

Verona 2013

This is the work of Natalia Curdova.  After a long year of not wanting to paint anything, she makes me want to pick up the brush. Such beautiful work!

Verona 2013

Verona 2013

Tucked away in the quiet streets in the old part of Verona,  there are often surprises to be found. An inconspicuous door opens to reveal a shop owned and run by an artisan- in this case, a highly skilled leather worker. 

I bought a leather dish for putting small change and keys in; and a leather bracelet. Am I done now? I'm not sure- there's a bag on that top shelf that was murmuring my name....

Verona- the Arena, La Traviata by Guiseppe Verdi

The opening scene, taken from the cheap seats on the stone steps. Bring a cushion. Really. Your bum will Thank you!

Act 2 The Bullfighter's Song

The Star! She did a lot of graceful swooning during the performance, so it was nice to see her standing up.

Act 3. Our heroine dies. That's her on the floor in the picture below. Someone always dies in an opera and it's usually the Diva.

After tis there were lots of 'curtain calls' and then a mad stampede as several thousand people all tried to get down the stairs at the same time. Including me. Well, I wanted to get to the bar!

Verona 2013

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See what happens when you have too much sugar for breakfast?

Verona

Walking around the back streets, you never know what you'll find. Doors that were closed yesterday, looking quite ordinary, swing open to reveal the most delightful surprises....like this leather shop. Everything is hand-made on the premises.