It's official - the Porcupine contrada won, and it was a pretty clear victory. Things got a little tight on the third circle around, but at the last corner, Torre's rider, who was closing in, didn't quite clear the corner and wiped out, slowing down his horse, as well.
Many of the kids were right there in the center, watching the whole thing, which is exciting. In fact, a few of them stood close to the most dangerous (for the riders) corner, which actually has its own name - San Martino (there's a church to San Martino in the very next piazza back from there). On the first lap around, one of the horses lost his rider. Always chaotic at that corner.
Speaking of chaotic, I'm SO happy to have the fervor and frenzy of the Palio over. The city is cleaning up, the tourists have reduced greatly, and the people are back to their calm selves. Except for the Istriche group, who will march through town with flags, drums, and the Palio for the next several months. Thank goodness for earplugs! If you see pictures of a newly victorious contrada, look closely - you'll see that, at the knot of their scarves they have a pacifier. This is because they are the newest "babies" to have won the Palio. Not unlike newly pledged sorority girls wearing the same thing around their necks (or, terribly enough, newly chosen cheerleaders - let me just express my disgust at any hazing in this mode - as a pledge trainer for four different pledge classes in college, I was well trained on how to avoid hazing, but "traditions" among groups still occur outside one's control).
Yesterday, we visited the Duomo of Siena. People, don't ever allow yourself to be confused - the Duomo of Florence is beautiful on the OUTSIDE. The Duomo of Siena has far more to offer, and the inside is amazing. We saw panels on the floor of the church which depicted Sibyls of ancient Greek and Roman times quoted by historians and poets . . . quotes which hinted at Christological references. It's not just your Old Testament any more! We also learned a little about Piccolomini, someone very important to Siena, and who eventually became Pope Pius III (taking his name after his uncle, Pope Pius II . . . nepotism at its finest). Bernini created four beautiful statues which are located in a side chapel of this church - his depiction of St. Catherine is so realistic!
Today, the kids took their first bi-weekly test, and they can share with you their individual performance. After class, we're heading back out to the Fortezza (just like last week), where we get to do a little second-week journaling. The weather has become SO much more pleasant these past three days - partially cloudy, a pleasant breeze from the north, highs of high 80's and low to mid 60's in the evening. NORMAL SIENNESE WEATHER for this time of the year. Then, at 6 PM, we're meeting back up here at the school. Actually, we're meeting downstairs at the Cooking School, because SPI has booked us for a great experience - we're having our Festa di Pizza, where we all make our own pizzas (from scratch - dough and all) and desserts, and enjoy a wonderful dinner out on the terrace behind the cooking school. Can't wait!!!
This weekend offers us many opportunities. Tomorrow, we're going to Arezzo for a day of touring with the school there. Grace is excited, because there's a church she has always wanted to visit. I'm excited because I've never been to Arezzo before, and have high hopes to see the Archaeological museum!!! We'll return in the mid-afternoon to be able to enjoy a quiet evening in Siena. Sunday is their last free day in Tuscany (nay, their last Sunday in Italy!), so the kids are grouping together to make plans for themselves. Beach? Assisi? San Gimignano? Everything is just a bus away!
As we approach this last week of our time here, the kids are starting to realize how much they have grown in this experience. This next week is such a strange one - the kids have made this town their own, and it's truly a home for them. They have their favorite places - internet, pizza, GELATO. They have the familiar faces they have come to know as they live out their daily routines here. They have the comfort of the safety of the town - Siena embraces her visiting students! They will have as much a transition when they return home as they had the first week here.
I will be sure to blog at least twice next week. On Friday morning, we head for Rome (by bus, then train, then walk/dragbag) for two VERY busy days of touring (even more busy than the first weekend). If our hotel has internet capability, I'll pause to enter a few quick notes, but you may just have to wait in suspense until we meet next!
N.B. To those of you who are meeting us in Rome, I am about to post instructions on a separate blog about our plans and information!
Grazie tanti,
L :)
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