Festivale di Santa Rosa: Prima Notte

hey everyone! I finally got internet access so here is my new post...its from 9/1 so yeah...I'll post my other one later!
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So school was a half day today and thhe beginning of Festivale di Santa Rosa. This is the biggest holiday in Viterbo, almost bigger than Christmas most people say.

The whole day is anticpation for this a parking lots are covered up and police and other head authorities are directing the streets. Streets are also cut off (Even though you can still get through them)

meet alice! posing on her bed

Giovanna (my host mom) and I went to Alessandra's house, who is the host mom of my friend Alice.  Giovanna and Alessandra are best friends, so dinners over there house is very frequent.

We ate and talked (well, I mostly listened) and around 9:45-10:00 we headed to the streets and saw the mini macchina (figure/statue) of Santa Rosa.

mini macchina

Preteen-ish boys held up the mini macchina and carried around the streets while people clapped, as the marching band played a festive song.

The mini macchina looked almost like a huge seven-tier cake and it is lite up so that when you see it coming in your direction the whole square is filled up with its glory. It was so admiring and crazy at the same time.

"Viva la Santa Rosa!!!" a man called out, and the peopel cheered with grace. I bambini (little kids) held up by their fathers shoulders, shouted "Ciao, macchina!" with Italian sweetness, as if they are little Italian adults.

When the mini macchina pasted, Giovanna, Alessandra, Alice and I we headed toward the piazza del comune, or basically the main piazza. It was so filled up with people in the gelateria ( ice cream shop) and vendors were selling glow sticks and Disney character balloons.

The night was filled with fn and laughter, which also included the beloved Reed (my friend and classmate) who became a favorite with the SYA host mom's by saying "Ciao! Come stai?" and kissing them on both cheeks. This happened with everyone he met. His southern charm probably worked out for him.



I still have about 3 more days of this maddness before school! Hopefully tomorrow is filled with more cheer and laughter for the future!



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I am probably gonna be behind on these things so sorry about that...I'll give you heads up when I am back on schedule with post...

hey enjoy these pictures instead of videos, cause my videos won't upload..haha ciao!


For now,

Maya