Viareggio

Bongiorno!

As another week begins in Florence, I have finally decided to take some time to upload some pictures so you all can actually see what I've been up to instead of just hear about it. This first album of photos (which can be found through the link at the bottom of this post) was from a day trip Mikey and I made to the ocean side town of Viareggio (2/14/2010).

While many of our fellow Endicotter's decided to make an expensive trip to the Venice Carnivale, we chose to take our own cheaper excursion to the smaller carnivale on the coast. The town can best be described as an Italian Miami Beach. It was very clean, with palm trees, hundreds of little shops, and of course a huge beach. This carnivale differed from Venice mostly in its size, but also by its famous parade. As you will see in many of the pictures, the focal point was the parade with HUGE floats operated by hundreds of people pulling ropes and flicking levers. It was a pretty amazing site to see. Mikey and I found ourselves looking at each other on several occasions only able to yell, "This is amazing!"

Many of the floats were politically charged. Some even bashing or making fun of the United States. It was interesting to see the opinions of the Italians in such a format...but Mikey and I definitely appreciated it regardless. There were also floats dedicated to blasting techno, a dedication to Michael Jackson, and Edward Scissorhands.

After a few beers we decided it was time to take some photos with all the people dressed up in crazy costumes. We definitely felt underdressed since many of the people went all out, but it was fun to be apart of this huge celebration. Our cultural teacher told us that this Carnivale's are done just before lent. To break down the word 'carne' means meat, while 'vale' means goodbye or farewell. Goodbye to meat is a reference to lent and going without meat, and going all out just before.

After spending some time on the beach (oh how I have missed the ocean) and looking at the view of the Alps, we decided to get some food, take a ride of the ferris wheel and head back to the train station. I slept the entire way home, but it was a great day and something everyone should experience. It was hard to find anyone having a bad time...people were just enjoying life and the moment. It was something I was happy and grateful to be apart of.

Below is the link to a bunch of pictures...soon to come stories and images from my recent weekend trip to Rome.

Viareggio

Arrivederci,

AB