Palio!

Okay, So I think I’ve seen it all!

We left Florence at 9, and got to Siena about an hour and a half later. Got a quick lunch in a local bar, and watched a few olympic events. Then at 12:30 we headed to Piazza del Campo…where it allll goes down. We got spots right against the fence, on the most dangerous corner where everyone falls off their horse. The Piazza closes around 4 for a parade, and the race doesnt start until around 7 or 8. So it was really quite a long day. While we were waiting, we decided to get some beers. So Katie went to get them. She got back, we finished them……and oh no the gates were closed! Too much beer and no bathrooms. I think I sweated it out though, or was super distracted because once the parade started I didnt think about it any more.

It was weird though, I saw some of my friends from Florence at the race. They were just walking around! There are soo many people at that event, and I saw people I knew! I thought that was pretty exciting.

The parade was incredible as well. The costumes were great, and the shoes were always perfect. It was such a beautiful culture to watch! It was sooo long, but so great.

Finally the horses came out, and and lined up at the start line, but it took them an hour to line up because one horses wouldnt line up. And there were 3 false starts They decided that they would start without that horse at the start line. And as soon as the race started he was in front!!!! He was doing great, and then he fell off at our corner. Seeing the horses come around the corner, how perfect and intense it was, everyone was cheering, yelling and moving. When he fell off he ran as fast as he possibly could into safety. Then it was the final lap the riderless horse was in second and falling into third. Then nearing the finish line, tons of people jumped into the track to congradulate and swarm the winner. I didnt think it could get any more intense once the race was over, I was totally wrong. It got waay more intense, everyone laughing crying, yelling, fighting, jumped over people, it was a huge mob, and completely awesome in every way.

The horse was rushed to the church, to first give thanks. We couldnt go because we had to catch our train! I really hope I can go back, and stay for the whole event. Afterwards there is a huge dinner, and the winner pays all! It was great though. I couldnt believe that I was so bored for so long, and then all of a sudden it was the most intense thing ever, and the race was over sooo quickly, and then I had to rush home!

It was really too cool though

Im back in Firenze, studying more Italian. I dont have to go back to work until next week, and Math arrives today for a week long visit. So forgive me if Im not writing as frequently then!

Also, my Flickr account is already full for this month. I have been adding my pictures to facebook as well, so feel free to go there and check out more!

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