(Note: I have been in Italy for the past two weeks for a study abroad program. I was going to take a hiatus from blogging while I'm here, but I just can't do it. So occasionally, I'll make blog posts about my trip, tips for anyone studying abroad or just visiting Italy, etc. I will sometimes include fashion posts, but for the rest of June, until I'm home again, I will be posting about my time here. Hope you enjoy!)
“Romeo and Juliet” has been named
one of the most romantic, iconic stories of all time…and also the most
cliché. Many who read the play,
including myself, have been subjected by our cynicism to think those who find
the play romantic are absolutely crazy. What’s romantic about a 13 and
15-year-old meeting, declaring love, and dying within three days time?
Something just doesn’t add up there.
Despite it all, the hopeless
romantic in me could not resist a trip to Verona, where “Romeo and Juliet” is
set. I visited to see the opening night performance of the opera “Aida” in the
Verona Arena. I knew nothing about the opera and I have never seen one before,
but if a chance to see one on opening night in Italy pops up…well that’s just
something you don’t skip. Though I loved the opera, I will admit I was more
impressed by the city of Verona itself.
What a beautiful city it is. With
its arena (the third biggest in the world), lovely river, and lack of tourists
and street venders compared to bigger cities like Florence and Rome, Verona has
a quiet spirit to it.
Now of
course if you go to Verona and do not visit the supposed homes of Romeo and
Juliet, you have not done the city justice. Romeo’s house is private as people
do live there, so you can only see the outside. However, Juliet’s House is
probably the biggest tourist attraction in Verona. Tucked into the shopping
strip, one turns and sees a small alleyway with walls full of graffiti, telling
of couples and their love for each other. Then you walk through into the
courtyard, which is the busiest. To the left there is the famed “Club di
Guiliette” and a gift shop. To the right, there are plaques giving the history
of the house. At the back, one sees a gate filled with locks. The locks are put
there by couples celebrating their love. Next to the gate is the famous statue
of Juliet. The idea is that if you rub her right breast, you will receive good
luck in finding love. Many people crowd the statue waiting for their turn to get
a picture. Overlooking the courtyard is the iconic balcony where the “Wherefore
art though Romeo” scene of the play takes place. For a price, one can venture
into the house and go stand on the balcony.
If you have seen the movie “Letters
to Juliet”, you know about the tradition of writing letters to Juliet and
getting them answered. Well, that is a real thing. All around the walls, one
can see pieces of gum. The gum is from people writing letters to Juliet with
questions and confessions of love. This tradition has been going on for
decades. The Juliet Club takes the letters and writes back to each one. Of
course, I wrote a letter myself. Recently, there has been a law placed saying
that people can no longer stick the letters to the wall because it defaces the
property. However there is an envelope stuck to a door where one can put a
letter.
So even if romance is not your
thing and you don’t think you can stand the cliché love for the famed William
Shakespeare play, Verona is a must for anyone who travels to Italy. The city
oozes romance and history and has a peaceful atmosphere to it. I cannot wait to
return.
If you would like to send Juliet a letter, you can! Check our their website, http://www.julietclub.com/en/, for information on how to mail a letter.
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