Thursday, May 17, 2007

Bloody computers

Ok, I have been trying for the last week to post photos. But it doesn't seem to work. Either they wont load, or the page wont display.... ARRRGGGHHH!

Anyway, I'm in relaxing Bologna right now. It's got a huge student population, as well as being a fairly wealthy city in a region reknown for it's food, so it's a nice spot. On top of that, it's known as the Red Capital of a country which has the largest democratic communist voting blocks apparently - all I know is that there is a museum of Communist propoganda here. So I'm off to join the Reds this afternoon.

An update of whats been happening...

I went to Gubbio (in Tuscany, the same region as Florence and Pisa) on Tuesday to see the Corsa di Ceri. That was what I really wanted to post because it was one of the most impressive and entertaining things I've seen in ages. There are three teams, each with a patron saint, of about 60 men who carry these huge ceri up a hill. (A ceri kind of looks like two vases stuck end to end, about 3 metres tall, with shoulder rafts and it takes at least 10 guys to carry it around... on top of the ceri is a little statue of the patron saint of each team)
I say 'hill' but it would be more accurate to describe it as a cliff-face... and they run with the ceri full tilt up the hill. The first team into the basillica gets to slam the doors on the other team... of course, by tradition, the yellow St Ulbino team always wins but that didn't seem to bother anyone.
There were marching bands, and fairy floss and tons of randoms running through the streets... I had a great time. And the best roast pork.
Really wish I could put up the photos... will try and see what I can do.

Only have one day in Bologna and then I'm off to Venice to join up with my topdeck tour. I'm not sure how often I'll manage to post but I'll try and keep it up.

2 comments:

Jeff said...

Hey Net,

Keep those posts coming, love! They're all amazing - I really dig the way you write. We're off the Swan Hill next week. It's not Tuscany but I'll let you know how it all goes :).

Jeff

Anonymous said...

Pity about the Photos . Love the ones with travelling girl in them especially.