Siena on fire...

Siena really does live for the Palio- it is the soul and the life blood of the city, and this fundamental event  has not taken place for two years, therefore, although there are undoubtedly events more important on the world stage at the moment, here in Siena nothing exists apart from this just now...

The 'tufo' has once more been trod by the hooves of 85 candidates for the race- they have tried out the Campo on two 'night runs', when the selection committees have weeded out those that they don't deem suitable- both horses and fantini- the jockeys,.

the rejects- I would take them all on happily!- were led out of the Palazzo Pubblico before the crowds while the remaining ten were allotted to the ten fortunate Contradas who are taking part tomorrow.

There have been six 'Provas', or trial runs, and the Campo has been packed - as if it were the Palio itself.

Here below the Mayor, centre top, surveys 'his' city preparing for the joyful return of its raison d'etre tomorrow at this morning's Prova':

 

where the favourite Schietta- below- ridden by Carlo Sanna with the nickname Brigante. is getting a good start; it is one of the few horses who have run the Palio before- most are novices,  

 Tonight is the event which, after the Palio itself, has top billing: the Cena of the Prova Generale, when all the Contradas are eating in the street- I am with Paolo and his family at the Contrada of Valdimontone, just here where I have lived for the last year.

Below my window the dinner table preparations are taking place, but first of all they are waiting for 'our' horse to arrive from the stable- they will all then join the procession down to the Campo for the last 'Prova', before the dinner. I think I might just stay here for this one, since I have been at all the others, and have just washed my hair and feel more inclined to have a Campari Spritz while awaiting the evenings events in the cool and comfort of home for a change...