On July 17 -18 we attended the couples conference in Verona, Italy.  We drove up to Verona on Thursday.  It took us 3 1/2 hours to drive there.  The conference was enjoyable as we were informed and inspired.  The best part was having a chance to meet the other couples who are serving in the Milano Mission.

After the conference we all went to Roadhouse grill for dinner.  What a treat?  What's more American than hamburgers and french fries?  It tasted so good!  We retired to our hotel room for some shut eye while 2 or three couples went to the opera.  We didn't have tickets so we lost out but I didn't feel too badly as it didn't start until 10:00 pm. Half way through the event they got rained out as it was held in the Roman Arena. Placido Domingo was one of the performers for the evening. I was a little bit surprised to see a Best Western in Italy but that's where we stayed.

Friday morning we headed out on the downtown Verona adventure.  This is the entrance to the main piazza Bra.

 These are the Harmers.  They are the mission office couple.  Anziano Harmer is a great leader.  He seems to always know where to go and how to get there. We should know because we followed him from Milano to Ancona when we first came to Italy.  He informed us at the conference that we each only got 2 tickets that day for driving where we shouldn't have been driving.  They don't stop you in Italy for infractions like in the States.  They have cameras everywhere and they just send you the ticket in the mail. (Big Brother is watching you)  Right now those tickets go to the mission office where they are paid but if we get too many we will have to fork over the dough for them.  Anziano Harmer took full responsibility for those as we were greenies following our leader.

 Here we are in front of the Roman Arena. It is the third largest in Italy.  Much of the outer ring was destroyed in the earthquake of 1117 but the inner ring is still intact.

Here you can see a portion of the outer ring that remains.

This is the walk way as we headed to see Juliet's house. We know Romeo and Juliet are fictitious but there really were the Capuleti and Scaligeri families. Juliet's house is a huge attraction because so many are enthralled with the love story.

 Here is the infamous balcony.  It wasn't added to the home until 1936 as a tourist attraction.

This is where people add their chewed bubble gum to the wall.  I guess it's a way of showing your allegiance and leaving a piece of yourself there.

This is the view from inside off the balcony.

Inside the home.

Taken outside on the street.

This is The Giardino Giusti one of the most beautiful gardens in Italy.  I prefer to see some flowers but the greens were quite amazing.  The maze is in the same pattern as the original maze but this one is only waist high.  I suppose it's so you can really find your way out.

This is the Roman Theater.  Showing above is part of the original walls.  It is still used for performances today.

This was just some random wall along the streets.  Pretty cool.

A few more shots of Verona then on to the Verona Duomo.