Our first full day in Verona

• We got up not too late, but were slow moving.
• Breakfast was at our morning spot: Bar Gallieno, certo! We go there every trip. The wait staff turns over, so sometimes they recognize us when we come back and sometimes not. This time, not. One wanted to speak English with L. Hmph! Several trips ago, we got a book of Verona history organized by day, and we've taken to photocopying the trip's dates to bring with us and then read "Today in History" at the Bar Gallieno — a little tradition.
• We added €s to the phone and got a postcard for the nipotini (you know who you are!), all at the usual tobacco shop next to the Bar Gallieno.
• The morning was spent window shopping, with a newspaper and comic book (good for picking up everyday phrases) for C. Lunch was at a Sicilian pastry place that had been closed when we were there last August. Since this trip was shorter than some, we decided to go only to places that we have rated at least 4 stars (out of 5) — there wasn't time to give any of the others a second (or third) chance. Life's cruel.
• After lunch we made reservations for dinner. C went in without the backpack, to seem a little less touristy (of course, his accent gives him away, but still...).
• C called his parents from underneath a statue of Dante. They have a filtering system for odd phone numbers (and his cell phone was using an Italian phone number) that had to announce him. At least it worked this time, unlike last August.
• Back to the hotel for a siesta.
• Back out for more serious shopping: shirts (L) and souvenirs for the nipotini (you know who you are!), a book on the history of the Italian language (C), and a calendar. Oh, and gelato. No shoes yet.
• Our favorite afternoon hangout and people watching place (the Antimo) had gone a bit more upscale, with new tables and menus.
• Back to the hotel to rest up for dinner.
• We chatted briefly with a Milanese businessman at the next table. There was at least one other Italian businessman there as well, so it's not only foreign tourists who seek out al Duca (in Romeo's supposed house). As always, we were very full afterwards.
• We went backto Piazza Bra and watched L'Arena for awhile before turning in.