Siena, Day 2

Another hot day with lots of walking (about 13 miles!) It was a similar agenda to yesterday, with rest and practice between two trips “into town,” the second including a visit to the Siena Duomo (Cathedral) that I’ll share in a separate post.

I don’t have any pictures of the Siena Palio, a semiannual (June/July and August) horse race, which is taking place right now. This historic race sees 10 of the contrade I mentioned yesterday competing with horses in very short (2-minute) races around one of the piazzas.

I can’t think of anything similar in the US, although I admittedly don’t follow sports! The community spirit is palpable, with people (especially children) wearing scarves of their contrada’s flags, singing songs, and at the end of the evening, eating together with their groups at long tables set up in the streets. There doesn’t seem to be any commercialism; I can only imagine that this would be something like the “Home Depot Palio” in the US, with each contrada seeking endorsements and sponsors.

Anyway, I didn’t join the crowds to watch, but I’ve enjoyed witnessing the party atmosphere. Tomorrow I’m on the train to Assisi!Read more