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After our interesting and mostly great vacation, I thought I'd recommend this event and town.
We were in Siena only three days before The Palio. We witnessed the lottery to determine the final three parishes that would participate this year as well as the lottery for horses. It was unbelievable and made us want to stay until the actual event. We did get the low-down on the race once we returned home. Gotta love You Tube. Just skip about the first minute to see the spectacle!
Posts: 2251 | Location: Glen Ellyn, IL | Registered: April 04, 2003
Amy, I am shocked you would promote an event that includes the following:
"On the dangerous, steeply-canted track, the riders are allowed to use their whips (Nerba - a stretched, dried bull's penis) not only for their own horse, but also for disturbing other horses and riders."
Just like Amy Jacobson, your days in the public eye may be coming to an end...
It's an amazing event - twice per year. If you watch it, it's CRAZY! And if this brings me down, so be it. At least I'm not swimming in my bikini at a suspected murderers house!
Posts: 2251 | Location: Glen Ellyn, IL | Registered: April 04, 2003
I was there years ago. It was one of the most incredible things I have seen. We were invited to have dinner in one of the neighborhoods the night before the race. The streets are lined with tables and everyone brings plates of the local foods and lots of wine. (the type of party that would do the BBer's proud) The morning of the race the horses are brought into the churches for a blessing. It is considered good luck if the horse dumps in the church!
