Mojitos, Friends, and Rams..

Ciao all!

I am currently sitting in my room enjoying an awesome thuder storm! Any of you who know me ( or any from the northwest) probably know this is an enjoyable thing!

We have had a fun couple of days here with the wednesday market, and last night one of the apartments hosted a fajita night! We had homemade fajitas, fruit salad, and mojitos! It was so much fun to have our whole group in one spot that wasn't school. I am really enjoying everyone on the trip! I actually got invited to the hot springs on sunday and to sail to the elba island with a group! I am super excited!!

We got the opportunity to visit the Ram contrada museum. This is the only contrada out of 17 that opened its doors. The contradas are very private and are usually only for the residents of the community..aka Siena born. The contradas are basically districts throughout Siena. They have thier own animal, colors, government, museum, church, and plazza. I live in the nicchio which is the shell contrada. These contradas are very diverse and are very impotant especially during the Plaio in July and August. (The large horse race, that is so much more than just a horse race).

This is the garb of the men that walk in the parade that is held. The women cannot walk. They can only make the outfits.

This is a very old saddle and the crest of the ram that the horse would wear.

If you can, take a moment and look at this. It is my favorite palio. The palio is given each time to the winner of the palio race. Each year it is done by a different artist and then displayed in that contrada's museum. The oldest one is from 1746 and is in the eagle contrada.

The last sunday in May we will get to see the choosing of the 10 contradas that will run in the July 2nd palio.

I love the history of Siena, so if anyone is interested in more history or has a question please comment and I will get back to you!

Hope everyone is well and has a great friday!

Love and hugs!

me