Sunday, July 6, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Siena & Il Palio
Sorry, I've fallen behind on the blogging :) Been quite worn out and don't have the patience for computer stuff after a long day of painting in the sun. You'd think by now I'd be black, but alas I am still my pasty ol' self :)
Anyway, We had a terrific time in Siena. It was quite an experience!! They have this horse race 2 times a year called il Palio. We just happened to be in Italy when it was going on so Jason offered to take those of us who wanted to go.
This race is a huge spectacle. People from all over the world come to see this race. Basically all 10 Contrades or city wards are represented by a horse and rider. There is a huge parade preceding the race where everyone dresses in costume and throws their contrades' flag. It is a full day experience.
It took forever to get into the piazza. We had to run to each gate and try to get in before they closed it. Finally we got to one gate that was still letting people in. We had to wait about a half an hour in a little alley way with elbow to elbow people, who did not smell very good :( For those who are claustrophobic, I would not recommend this event. Plus once you get into the Piazza you can't get back out, so no potty breaks for 3-4 hours. It was 100+ degrees and none of us wanted to drink any water, cuz we wouldn't be able to pee. And they call this fun!!
So we waited around int the Piazza for the race to start, in the sweltering heat with no water. It was supposed to start at 7, but you know those Italians, they can never start on time. So at 8:30 the race finally started. Which by the way did I tell you that the race is only 3 laps!! So we waited around in a stinky, sweaty mob of people for 4 hours for a 20 second race. No kidding it took about 20 secs!!
After the race, the wining Contrades people come stampeding through the crowd toward the winner and then rip all of his clothes off. Well that part was interesting :) Except for the almost getting stampeded by insane Italians.
All I have to say is I'm glad I went, but I can't say that I'd do it again :)
Arrivederci
Anyway, We had a terrific time in Siena. It was quite an experience!! They have this horse race 2 times a year called il Palio. We just happened to be in Italy when it was going on so Jason offered to take those of us who wanted to go.
This race is a huge spectacle. People from all over the world come to see this race. Basically all 10 Contrades or city wards are represented by a horse and rider. There is a huge parade preceding the race where everyone dresses in costume and throws their contrades' flag. It is a full day experience.
It took forever to get into the piazza. We had to run to each gate and try to get in before they closed it. Finally we got to one gate that was still letting people in. We had to wait about a half an hour in a little alley way with elbow to elbow people, who did not smell very good :( For those who are claustrophobic, I would not recommend this event. Plus once you get into the Piazza you can't get back out, so no potty breaks for 3-4 hours. It was 100+ degrees and none of us wanted to drink any water, cuz we wouldn't be able to pee. And they call this fun!!
So we waited around int the Piazza for the race to start, in the sweltering heat with no water. It was supposed to start at 7, but you know those Italians, they can never start on time. So at 8:30 the race finally started. Which by the way did I tell you that the race is only 3 laps!! So we waited around in a stinky, sweaty mob of people for 4 hours for a 20 second race. No kidding it took about 20 secs!!
After the race, the wining Contrades people come stampeding through the crowd toward the winner and then rip all of his clothes off. Well that part was interesting :) Except for the almost getting stampeded by insane Italians.
All I have to say is I'm glad I went, but I can't say that I'd do it again :)
Arrivederci
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Day trip to Orvieto
We went to Orvieto today. It is an old city built upon volcanic fallout, that has a labyrinth of underground tunnels underneath, dug by the Etruscans. Many of the caves haven't all been excavated yet, but they believe they run under the whole city and were meant as a form of escape for the towns people during a siege. It was extremely nice to go down into the caves, cuz it was about 15 degrees cooler down there. This is where they made the olive oil and stored their wine, because of the temperature.
It was a pretty small town, there wasn't too much to see. The Duomo was very, very dramatic. The inside and the sides of the outside are all done in a black and white stripe, which was very striking. Also the rose window was quite intricate and beautiful.
Other that those two things, we didn't do too much more. We window shopped and my roommate, Sam, and I had a fabulous dinner at this little cafe on the main strip. It was very chic and the food was the best I've had so far. Plus our waiter was soooo Italian, we loved it. Then we made a gelato run and I had the best kiwi gelato of my life :) mmmmmm
I love Gelato!!!!
It was a pretty small town, there wasn't too much to see. The Duomo was very, very dramatic. The inside and the sides of the outside are all done in a black and white stripe, which was very striking. Also the rose window was quite intricate and beautiful.
Other that those two things, we didn't do too much more. We window shopped and my roommate, Sam, and I had a fabulous dinner at this little cafe on the main strip. It was very chic and the food was the best I've had so far. Plus our waiter was soooo Italian, we loved it. Then we made a gelato run and I had the best kiwi gelato of my life :) mmmmmm
I love Gelato!!!!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Day trip to Assisi
Today we went to Assisi. This is where St. Francis ( of Assisi :) ) was from. We went to the Basilica of St Francis, which was absolutely beautiful. I tried to sneak in a few pictures, I got one of where he was buried and some of the intricate ceilings. We then walked around town, lots of beautiful arches, doors, walled in doors. Very Picturesque !! We also saw where St Francis was jailed. It was extremely tiny. It was about the size of an airplane bathroom.
After that we decided to hike up to the Rocca Maggiore, which was a medieval castle. It was a horrendous hike. It's about a 45 min hike straight up, but since we only had a half an hour before they closed, we had to speed it up a bit. I was dyin' by the time I got to the castle. Then when we got to the castle it was all stairs!!!!!!!! I thought I was gonna shoot myself :) You know it was only about, hmmm, 100+ degree's out (not exaggerating). I was the only girl to make it up :) whoo hoo!!
The views were amazing from the top of the castle. I could see the whole town and the valley below. Gorgeous!! On the way back down to town I saw an odd thing, it was a fence made of gum. It looked like years and years worth of gum, stretching the length of the walkway. I'm not sure why it was there, but it intrigued me for some reason, so I took a few pics ;)
All in all, it was a splendid day
Ciao!
After that we decided to hike up to the Rocca Maggiore, which was a medieval castle. It was a horrendous hike. It's about a 45 min hike straight up, but since we only had a half an hour before they closed, we had to speed it up a bit. I was dyin' by the time I got to the castle. Then when we got to the castle it was all stairs!!!!!!!! I thought I was gonna shoot myself :) You know it was only about, hmmm, 100+ degree's out (not exaggerating). I was the only girl to make it up :) whoo hoo!!
The views were amazing from the top of the castle. I could see the whole town and the valley below. Gorgeous!! On the way back down to town I saw an odd thing, it was a fence made of gum. It looked like years and years worth of gum, stretching the length of the walkway. I'm not sure why it was there, but it intrigued me for some reason, so I took a few pics ;)
All in all, it was a splendid day
Ciao!
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