Dream Trip 2009

Great Travel Moment

I had been on a photographic tour of Italy, arriving in Florence the day of an important cultural occasion that was uncertain to occur. The event, the Calcio Storico, is a celebration steeped in tradition initiated 500 years ago. Gorgeous colorful pageantry is the prerequisite to the brutal football / rugby game played by teams representing four districts in Florence. It was not long after the arrival to my hotel that I heard the drum cadences. Thrilled that the Calcio would occur, I quickly proceeded to the ancient streets where I was rewarded with trumpet fanfares heralding the procession of the medieval parade. The sidewalks were already covered with spectators, haste caused me to slip off. My ankle was scraped and bleeding but it was not a concern. For, I was magically transported back to the Renaissance Era via this incredible event.