“There is no world without Verona walls.”

William Shakespeare

They say some of the best things in life are unexpected. I have come to find that this is completely true. My most cherished and poignant memories are those I never saw coming. Those funny coincidences that occur out of nowhere, that happen by chance, without warning… those are the ones that make my heart warm with appreciation. Those little things you couldn’t imagine being this good even if you had planned it. You know you are doing something right when what you’re doing makes you feel lucky– lucky to experience a unique part of the world, whether that be a place or a person. This is how I feel about Verona. 

I never knew much about Verona before coming here (other than the fact that the movie Letters to Juliet was my adolescent dream growing up; shoutout to you Amanda Seyfried). But after living here for two months, I am so in love with everything this city has to offer. And I feel grateful. Grateful that—by the grace of God— I ended up here. Grateful that out of all the cities in Italy, I somehow stumbled on this fairytale place. 

Nobody could understand the depths of what Shakespeare meant when he said, “There is no world without Verona walls.” After living here for two months, I understand. Verona feels like its own world. Being here, it is hard to imagine that anything else exists outside of it. Verona exudes romance and enchantment. With its pretty decorated balconies and cobblestone streets, the city feels like a storybook. Every corner completely picturesque. It is the perfect blend of history, and nature, and art. Birds will fly over the river and you will look over the bridge and feel like they are flying just for you. Verona has a way of making you feel special; like you are the only person in the world. I’m telling you, Verona is seriously underrated. Everyone hears of Rome and Florence, but there is an atmosphere of magic here unlike anywhere I have ever been. Verona will make you fall in love. It’s beauty is unmatched. A vintage reel of the past blended with romance and modernity. (Take a shot every time I type Verona lol).

Life moves slower here, but in a pace that allows for pleasure and beautiful things. I have a basic routine. I typically wake up, make breakfast, and walk to school. Simple right? Still, despite the routine, no day is the same. Here the most mundane things seem magnificent. I mean, everyday I walk past this ancient castle that belonged to an entire royal family on my way to class. I wait for the bus stop in front of this huge colosseum we call the Arena. Sometimes my brain registers just how extraordinary my life is right now and goes, “what?!?!” It’s hard to comprehend sometimes, but I have learned to just enjoy it. Not everything needs an explanation. It takes away the magic of the moment.  

The cool thing is—as I walk along the streets—I feel like I belong. I take the bus as a local. I eat and drink in the same cafe’s as a local. I know my way around the city like a local. It’s amazing to see the progression I have made here. In the beginning, I used to feel like an intruder. On the contrary, I now feel a part of this city. 

I never expected to love it here so much. Something about Verona makes it feel like it was made just for me. To think I chose this place by chance… now I could not imagine being anywhere else for my study abroad experience. Because not being able to witness the sun set on the hill of San Pietro, or walk along the Adige river with Castelvecchio right beside it…seems like a shame. Verona was an absolute surprise. And that…is what makes it so special.