I had the opportunity to travel to Siena for Il Palio, a horse race held twice a year. For the locals of Siena, this race is bigger than the Super Bowl to Americans. Ten racers represent ten Contrades, an area of the city. Each Contrade has a color and animal, which are shown on the flags that the locals wear around their neck to represent their horse. The race is held in Piazza del Campo, the jockeys race their horse around the track three times. The race typically lasts 90 seconds, but the anticipation before the race is unimaginable. On the day of the race 60,000 people stand in the center of the Piazza, or if you care to spend a 500 euros you can buy a seat up close to the track. The horses and jockeys come out to the track, they begin circling each other and one-by-one the announcer calls each horse up to the starting line. Once all ten Contrades (their are 17 total, but only 10 are picked for the day of the race) approach the starting line, all 60.000 people become silent. The anticipation that builds from that many people in one area suddenly becoming silent will give you chills. It was so exciting! After a minute or so, everyone waits anxiously for the gun to go off. Signaling the start of the race. BOOM. They are off. It's 90 seconds of screaming, jumping, and eyes glued to the racers circling around you. Oca (goose) was the winner, and the crowd went crazy. Happy, sad. Yelling, chanting. Tears and laughter. This crowd felt it all. The Oca fans were parading, drumming and chanting in the streets well into the night.
The crowd at Il Palio, believe it or not their is a race track in there somewhere.
A drummer during the parade before the race. He was representing one Contrade.
Part of the bell tower in Piazza del Campo.
That was saturday. Sunday we traveled to the BEAUTIFUL Cinque Terre. I have never been more enchanted with a town on the sea. It was wonderful. In Cinque Terre, hiking is a big deal there. There are 5 towns and you are given the opportunity to hike from each town to the next. Each hike getting harder the further you go. Friends and I were feeling adventurous and chose to hike from town 4 to 5. The hardest and longest hike. It was a blast. Hard and very steep but so worth it! We walked through tiny paths full of giant, vibrant plants and wonderful ocean views. We finished the day at the beach with lemonade granitas in hand.
I wish this was my backyard.
Half way
Namaste friends!
Peace and blessings. Ciao.
