Festeggiate!

I'm sorry it's been a while since I've posted. The new classes have been keeping me busy. Between them and trying to experience everything around me, I haven't had much time for reflection or communicating back home. Maybe that's a good thing, but I wanted to let you know that I'm still here. I'll get to my classes at another time, but I wanted to let you in on the biggest thing that's going on right now: CARNEVALE!

It's hard to understand Carnevale without drawing up from a plethora of American experiences. The motive of celebration comes from a religious background, much like Mardi Gras. Soon, according to tradition, the people will be called on to fast and to reflect, so now they celebrate while they still can! People dress up like at Halloween, but dance and sing in a way that we can't fathom as Americans. Everyone buys in to the tradition. It only becomes obvious that you are an outsider if you are not dressed up, which happened several times.


I was first hinted at the beginning of real celebration when on my daily walk stumbled on a mass of people in the city center. I diverted my planned route to investigate and found costumed children running around loosely followed by parents and grandparents who were being covered by handfuls of confetti. There were also pockets of pre-teens too cool for costumes who could still celebrate with silly string and handfuls of shaving cream.


I chose to celebrate with some of my friends by taking a trip to Viareggio. Every year there is a celebration by the sea that lasts a month before Lent and is full of all types of activities. We were only there for the day but experienced quite a celebration. There was a parade I could only compare to what I have seen on television every year on Thanksgiving, but am sorry that I can't describe it any better than that. As we say at Meredith College, "You just have to experience it!" We spent the day dancing and singing along ("Y.M.C.A." was played four times in about 6 hours!), throwing confetti on strangers, and staring in complete disbelief at the incredible floats that passed by. On a side note, there were some effigies that made different cultural values evident. If you want to see more of Carnevale, view the pictures and videos in my "Fotografie" link. But for a quick taste of the experience, here's a video I'll leave you (but please excuse the poor videography). Buon divertimento!

Today I went to the hospital...

but not until after church. I'm fine, I'm fine. Don't worry. Let me just get along with the story and we'll get to the hospital visit in time.

So I woke up a bit confused about where I was. It hasn't settled yet that I'm here and on top of that, my already skewed concept of time has worsened. So much has happened over the last few days that the days feel more like weeks. Today is the end of day #4! Non lo credo! Anyway, when I was finally oriented and ready for the day, my host mother and I left for a walk. She showed me how to get to school first. It's so close I can hardly believe it. I didn't time it, but I'll get back to you, maybe tomorrow when I start my first day of classes (EEEK!).

Then we went to San Domenico and attended mass. It was almost a surreal experience of jumping back into time, pre-Vatican II. For those of you that don't know Church history, Vatican II, among other things, brought vernacular tongue into the church. Previously, everything was in Latin. Although I've been to church enough to know what to expect and have quite a bit to attribute to Mrs. McDonald's Ecclesiology class in high school, I couldn't participate in prayers because I only know them in English! One of my missions for the semester is to learn them in Italian. But still what an interesting experience!

After church, Tina took me to La Piazza Del Campo. My loyal readers, I will admit to having misty eyes when they met Piazza Del Campo. This place is truly stunning and holds so much history. It is literally and figuratively the heart of the city. My words are far too limited to express my veneration for this place. It is with my highest suggestion that I tell you to see it for yourself.

The walk home was quick and easy. After lunch, a nap, and dinner (no wonder I feel like all I do is eat and relax), Tina asked me if I'd like to go with her to visit a friend. Where? At the hospital. (Told you it was coming.) Of course I said yes since I'd never been there before. I told her that and she reminded me that it was a good thing. I guess I should be a bit more aware about my eagerness to experience everything. Ennio joined us and off we went.

Like everything in Siena, it's not very far. It's quite similar to those in America I've been to, complete with a gift shop and a sketchy cafeteria, which probably still has better food than America, although I did notice some differences. Maybe I was off tonight or really know nothing about medicine, but the organization seemed a bit strange. Everything was color coded and yet somehow neurology was down the hall from dermatology. Hmmm. But also, the hospital was without private rooms. Not much of a surprise with Italy being on a socialist health care system, but occasionally it slips my mind.

Tina's friend was in great health and on her way out of the hospital soon. She had some other visitors and it was interesting to watch them all interact. It was hard to keep up with their rapid conversation but I'm pretty sure the Palio came up at some point. Maybe I'm biased to want to hear it, but the Sianese really like their Palio. But now I've gotta catch some zzz's because tomorrow I start classes. Buona notte!