Italy: Day 5 - Verona, Gambellara 9/09/05

Early in the morning Jennie and I headed off to Verona. This time, we took the train from San Bonifactio, a smaller train station closer to Gambellara. Getting to town so early meant we had a lot of time to kill. Walking towards the arena, we walked through a mass of tourists. One of the Englishwomen exclaimed, "My, I spotted myself a pair of lovely legs!"



So of course Jennie and I walked across the street so Jennie could snap a picture with this guy. For tips.

Since we'd already been there the night before, we weren't that into the town. We walked up and down the main shopping area but soon it started to pour. Our timing for lunch definitely could not have been better.

I don't remember exactly where this was but I really liked this dress.



The weather really cleared up for the afternoon. We ended up sitting at a cafe in the main square outside the arena, just people watching. I chose that cafe because unlike all the other cafes on that street, this one had orange tablecloths. Ha.



The waiter, Desi as we later learned, spoke English very well and was only minorly offended by Jennie's poor Italian. Desi was sweet. He comped our drinks. As he was getting off work, he offered to show us around. We thought we saw everything but just around the corner was this huge castle, a brick bridge and a beautiful river. Oops.



A piece on the castle wall.


A picture of us and Desi. He does a wonderful rendition of 'California girls'. "Like, OH MY GOSH, like, look at that castle! It's SO big! It's like, uh, BIG! OH MY GOSH!"






Returning to Gambellara, Lorenzo promised us a short visit to his winery which was across the street from his house.



Another green door.


The main tasting room was set up for a party, I think.


There was wine everywhere.


Zonin's official sommelier guided us through these wines. Each wine was bagged and tasted blindly. What a great experience!


Then, Lorenzo took us around the winery.




There were old artifacts like this one everywhere.


Lorenzo tried to look official in his office.


Amarone!!! Ah....wanted to take it all home.


After our little winery tour ended, we headed home to rest before joining Lorenzo and his friend for dinner at a local bar they frequent. The owner of the bar, Bruno, is a little nuts to say the least. I was forced to belt out "Happy Birthday" in Mandarin, twice, to people I didn't know. I think both Jennie and I felt a little like porcelain dolls.

Bruno.


Do you see a resemblence between the owner and his choice of decorations?


Jennie, me, Lorenzo's friend and a bunch of girls we don't know. One of them went to college with Lorenzo and his friend.


The bartender tried to teach Jennie how to make a spritz.




See Lorenzo's reaction to Jennie's spritz.


Yeah, I decided not to try it. ;)