Big Weekend

What a wonderful and long weekend! As such, this is going to be a very long blog. I apologize right now. Feel free to read it in parts; maybe take a coffee break in the middle somewhere. Well, here goes... It started off with a day trip to the lovely towns of Siena and San Gimignano. Siena was by far my favorite day trip so far; it is such an intriguing city, filled with so much history that is still very much a part of their day-to-day life. Siena is split up into seventeen different districts, or contradas. Each contrada has a mascot, some of which are Unicorn, Forest, Owl, Elephant, Giraffe, and Turtle. Not only are you baptized into the church as a baby, you are also baptized into your contrada. This means that if you are baptized into the Turtle contrada, you will remain a Turtle for life. It doesn’t matter if you marry a Unicorn, or move to the Elephant contrada, you will always be a Turtle. They also have large rivalries and alliances between contradas (much like San Ramon vs. Monte Vista but on a much larger scale). Now I’m sure you’re wondering what this is all leading up to; they wouldn’t have these contradas and rivalries for nothing, right? Right. Twice every year, Siena holds “Il Palio”. It is a very large horse race. Every contrada has one horse and one jockey. Interestingly, the jockey is usually hired and not from the contrada. Also, the horses are picked by random to ensure fairness. We had the chance of walking past a stable, which looked much like a home because the horses are that special to the contrada. Apparently, the horses come in four days before the race and are protected by 24-hour bodyguards, as are the jockeys. These people don’t joke about this race. The race itself, takes place right in the middle of the city; in a huge piazza. I absolutely loved the chance to get to walk around this remarkable city, that’s history is very much alive today. These people still practice all of these long standing traditions. It was amazing.

The piazza where Il Palio is held

Valeria and I in the same piazza

Then we traveled to the lovely town of San Gimignano. There we got to explore the city, get some wonderful gelato, wander in and out of shops, and take in the gorgeous countryside view. I tried a lovely new flavor of gelato: raspberry rosemary, it was quite unique and delicious! The view was by far the best part though. Unfortunately, it was a cloudy day so we couldn’t see too far, but it was breathtaking nonetheless. I just love looking out over the country and seeing the vineyards and villas scattered along the hills.

The next day we had another treat in store for us. A few others and myself ventured to Venice! The whole day I felt as though I stepped onto a Disneyland ride, it was unreal. We got there and immediately hopped on a taxi (now mind you, Venice has no cars, all of their taxis, police, ambulances, and even garbage vehicles are boats) and went on a little ride down the Grand Canal, the main waterway. We got to see so much of the city, and check out all of the adorable gondolas, and some gondola drivers. Then we went for a little stroll through San Marco Square, and on to a glass blowing exhibition. The exhibition was very short, but also very amazing. The “master” made a vase in about 5 minutes, maybe less. Then we had some free time so, naturally, we got some lunch. We all had seafood and bellini’s, a typical Venician meal. Seafood is one of their specialties, and the bellini was invented in Venice at a bar called Harry’s, which we walked by but didn’t get to go in. Then we headed out on a longer tour around the city, complete with a short but sweet gondola ride. It was such a lovely day; I couldn’t have imagined it better. The city is so picturesque, and yet I feel like my all my pictures (and I took a lot!) don’t nearly do it justice.

Gondolas!

Super excited to ride the gondola!

Riding the gondola :)

Gondola driver (can you tell we were really excited about the gondola?)

Wait, this isn't Disneyland?

Sunday was another lovely day. It was much more low-key than the others, but very relaxing and refreshing. I went church hunting! The morning service I went to was an Italian Evangelist church. I bravely went all by myself and understood about 10 percent of the whole service. Luckily, I was able to find what book they were in, as well as which chapter, but I could not tell you what they were saying about it. The people were very welcoming though, and I got invited to a college group and a bible study. I would love to go, but honestly I don’t know how beneficial it would be due to the fact that I would have no idea what was going on. Later that evening I went to an English service at a Methodist church, which was absolutely wonderful. The Florence Gospel Choir was there which reminded me of being back at SPU in Gospel Choir. Also, a missionary from the states spoke and it was so powerful and convicting. I felt completely refreshed and empowered! I am definitely going to go back and I hope to bring others with me! Also, I’m thinking of joining the Florence Gospel Choir while I’m here. It seems pretty relaxed and very fun.

All in all, I had a fabulous weekend! Looking forward to the next weekend to come as well; my wonderful friend Annie is making her way up from Rome so we can enjoy each other’s company, and my lovely parents are coming on Sunday to spend a week with me! I am so blessed!

One last thing, SORRY again for the super long post!

“I need a big weekend; kick up the dust. Yeah, a big weekend. If you don't run, you rust.” Tom Petty