The first thing I think of when I hear the word Easter? Exploding carts of course!

I love sunny warm happy Florence! The past couple of weeks have brought gorgeous weather to our little city on the Arno, and with the sun comes a happy Anna! =) After Paris I enjoyed a visit the following weekend from the lovely Becky. Pop over to her blog for a look at some of the photographs from that weekend. The Fulcher family + Zach also stopped by that weekend! I had so much fun with them, it was great to see them and I hope they enjoyed their Italian vacation.

After that was Easter. I remained in Florence for Pasqua and I ended up with a pretty nasty cold, but Easter morning was beautiful and well, interesting. The Florentines have this tradition dating back to Medieval times (everything in this city is old) where they have a parade on Easter morning. The parade--consisting of people in Renaissance attire, Renaissance flags, Renaissance instruments, etc.--starts by the Arno, makes its way through the streets of the historic center of Florence, and ends in front of the Duomo. Then, a giant cart covered in fireworks and pulled by oxen is brought before the doors of the cathedral. Inside the cathedral at the altar, a priest (or bishop or cardinal, someone holy) lights a paper-mache dove with the holy eternal flame and the dove is slingshotted into the cart which then proceeds to burst into flames and color.

My friend Sarah and I got to the Duomo pretty early so we were right in the front for the festivities. Although this allowed us a great view, it also put us right in the middle of the path of some errant fireworks and a cloud of red smoke. It was interesting though, and fun.








Ciao ciao,
Anna