The Feast of San Florido
This merry-go-round was at the entrance to my town last night. Every year on November 13th Città di Castello celebrates her patron saint, San Florido. The whole town becomes a carnival cum market, spreading for half a mile outside the historic center. It goes on for four or five days, all day and most of the night, and vendors come from everywhere to sell thing never otherwise seen here. You can buy silly novelties, like balloonish animals with pleated legs that look like they are picking the ground for eats, to cashmere scarves from a “labels-only” shop from far away. Sicilians set up Sicilian sweets stands or stands with barrels full of varied olives or dried fruit or oil-preserved treats. Peruvians sell both pan flutes and CDs of pan flute music. Gadgets from the world abound. Further out from the center are truck showrooms showing fireplaces, stoves, windows, door and furniture. Water treatment systems are explained. Fortune tellers will predict that you really can afford all this stuff. The only thing missing is hootchy kootchy girls.
Sam and I went yesterday evening. The crowds were really tough for Sam and he had to be carried through the tightest parts, but he got a lot of loving attention from little kids and grownup ladies. One of my friends wanted to adopt him instantly and I had to protest that he has a mum already. A man who has interested me but been too shy even for my ebullient approaches actually had a conversation with me about Sam! And then in parting he held my hand for a long time. Go figure! It ain’t much, but more than I’d been able to accomplish.
We went to my favorite shop to take some photos for my fashion article and he was cosseted there too.
While we were there a girl came in with an elegant whippet, my second favorite breed, but this girl dog, named Margo, was way too interested in Sam’s privates and I had to lift him to preserve his personal integrity.
After a couple of hours weaving through the smells of burnt sugar and grilled sausages, the gaggles of girls and the family promenades we decided we’d had enough and came home to supper and Sam slept extremely well until morning.
3 comments November 16th, 2006
