Our last full day in Verona

• L did the preliminary packing and then we went to the Bar Gallieno for the last time (tomorrow we leave too early), just for due caffè since we need to save room for lunch at Marco's parents'. We've learned our lesson from previous trips.
• We watched L'Arena for a bit (in daylight!), then went looking for candy for Vancouver J, but the shops were closed and she's on a diet anyway. We got a business card from Casa Vino for Marco — it's fun to give restaurant recommendations to a local. Actually, since he and Stefi live and work elsewhere (well, Stefi works on the edge of Verona), they don't actually come into Verona that often. But still.
• We met M and S in Piazza Pradaval (or by McDonald's, as M had put it), which is outside the wall, since we weren't sure whether traffic would be allowed inside on Sunday. It turned out that it was blocked off for a bit, but by noon it was open again. It was good to see them; we hadn't been sure if S was going to make it since she has been visiting her family. She drove her car, which was the first time we'd ridden with her — M usually drives us in his car.
• We had a good time at Marco's parents, as we always do. C has finally learned enough Italian that he can have a half-way decent conversation with Rino (M's father) and tease M in Italian so that both Rino and Raffaella (M's mother) can understand. C showed some pictures of Arles and Paris, especially comparing the amphitheatres with the one in Verona. M showed pictures from his recent sailing trip to islands off the coast.
• There was the usual exchange of gifts. L got a very nice purse for her birthday. Together we got a sbrisolona (between a cookie and cake) made from radicchio (a type of chicory) from Treviso, which is where S is from. Radicchio is a specialty of Treviso, and C joked that they will make it into anything. We also got bigoli and sauce, also from Treviso. We've tried all of those now, and they're delicious! S's father, who we've met several times, once in Massachusetts, sent a bottle of homemade walnut liqueur. C had read in the Verona paper on-line at one point that it was the traditional time to start making it and had mentioned it to M. M replied that Sgr. Marchi actually makes it. But it was a surprise to get a bottle of it! While we were there, we also tried some that M's sister had made — yum! We gave M a bottle of pastis since he is an anice and licorice afficionado, and showed him how the French drink it with water and ice.
• As always, lunch was multi-coursed and delicious! We always feel a bit guilty, since we can never really return Rafffaella and Rino's hospitality. That doesn't stop us from enjoying the food though. Actually, although we love the food, what we really enjoy the most is the company, and getting to be a small part of their lives.
• M drove us back to Verona, and the four of us strolled around. We showed M and S another restaurant we like, also with asino like al Duca. We stopped for a bit of refreshment before seeing M and S off back at Piazza Bra. It was interesting to chat with M and S and get some insights into how they see living in Italy. Their jobs have both improved, and they both looked good, which we were very glad to see.
• No dinner, since we were still full from lunch. Back to the hotel to finish packing and shower for tomorrow so we don't have to get up quite as early in the morning. Got to bed early.