Ciao Italia.....

So this will be short but sweet and you get to see some new faces!! The Gulden's got here on Thursday a little later than expected and they were exhausted! But we got dinner and walked down to see where the Palio is held before the Palio day- the Piazza del Campo. Thursday we all called it an early night and decided to meet up Friday morning!! Friday was the Palio! I think I was almost as excited as the citizens of Siena- ok probably not but I was soooooo excited! I got up, packed and left my house mom Fulvia- I cried. It was really sad and she kissed me on both cheeks for the first time, just like a real Italian. We all got ready and headed down to the action! We walked around for a bit and then met up with my group to see the Blessing of the Drago (Dragon) Horse. All of the horses are blessed the day of the race but all of the other ones are done inside churches so the general public cannot see but, the Drago horse is blessed outside :) Lucky for us because it was quite an experience! A lot of fun and the people of the contrada were all there to celebrate.










Then directly after that we went down to the Campo to get our spots!! We waited there from about 3 until the race began at 8. That was a long time but it didn't seem like 5 hours really. The race could have started anywhere between 7:30 and 9 but luckily it started at 8 so we didn't have to wait that long. There was also a long parade with all the contradas and other important people that kept us entertained for a while. Finally the horses came out and it was soo suspenseful! They lined up , got ready and then had to et out of their starting lines and realign themselves. This happened five times and then on the sixth time they started! It was so exciting!! They run around the track 3 times- we were in the "wipe out corner" hoping for a crash btu this time there were none. Two jockeys did fall off their horses though which is pretty cool but we didn't get to see it. Then, after waiting 5 hours for a 90 second race, we went to try and find the winning contrada (which was the tree symbol) to party! Side note--right after the Palio finished the losers RAN, literally sprinted, out of the campo in fear of getting an ass beating. Sure enough, on the way to look for the winning contrada we saw a huge trail of blood going down the street for a while and then turning a corner (which we decided not to follow). So cool! After failing at trying to find the contrada we decided to just get a snack in the Campo and go to my hang out bar. Brianne and Magen were there for our last night together- it was a lot of fun!











Saturday morning we got up and took a train to Rome. We were all pretty tired but we got to sleep on the train in first class (it was my first fast train in first class and it was AMAZING!) The Gulden's really know how to travel. Our first day here we went to check in to the hotel which is right next to the Vatican which is sooo cool! We went on a semi-private tour around the Vatican- the museum, Sistine Chapel, tombs, and Basillica. Our tour guide was really nice and very knowledgeable! That was so much more fun to look at and hear about the politics and history behind everything. When we get together- and we will have to get together- I will tell you everything she told me while showing you a slide show because I just don't have the time right now to do so. Maybe when I get back home I can be more detailed and do another post for everyone.











After the tour we went to Trevi fountain and threw a coin in to make a wish to come back to Rome-- and it obviously works because the Gulden's are back!! :)










Then we went out to an amazing dinner with amazing beef! My favorite meat since I have been here was the beef I had there-- absolutely amazing!

Then we went to get a good nights rest. Saturday we slept in for a while and then went to see the Pope. Unfortunately, he decided not to come out today for some reason. So we just headed right over to lunch and to the Bellini fountain. It was very beautiful! After that we went to see the Colosseum. I LOVED it!! I thought it was so amazing! We also did a tour on that but it was not as good as the Vatican one. We also saw the Palatine and the forum which blows my mind how old stuff everything is. I just think it is amazing! After that, we went to have drinks and snacks right outside the Colosseum and Magen came to join us :) That was beautiful! We walked back to Trevi fountain one more time, got some delicious pizza, and I got my last gelato.


My trip thus far has been so amazing and Italy has treated me very nicely! I am excited to continue my travels in Greece and Spain for 8 more days with the Gulden's!! Sorry it was quick but I will ramble on the phone for hours on end when I get home if you let me ;) Ciao Italia, Ciao Greca!