Parade taunting and a crowd baptism

Today is St. John's Day in Florence, where the patron saint of the city (John the Baptist) is celebrated on what is believed to be his birthday.  While some would think that celebration of such a religious figure would equate to a more solemn holiday, they would be sadly mistaken.  As Siena has the Palio, Florence has Calcio Storico - the part rugby, part MMA, and part soccer game.  The girls and I attended one of the preliminary games last weekend, and you can read about those adventures in the blog history.  Today was supposed to be the finals of the round robin tournament and our neighborhood team was supposed to be in the game.  So, there is a simmering excitement in our part of town.

After linner, we ventured out to watch the pomp and circumstance of the gigantic parade through town that precedes the "football" game.  Part of the parade includes the procession of the four "football" teams.  As our new rivals, the Azzurri of Santa Croce, were passing in front of us I discovered that Scarlett is a taunter.  She was saying things such as "boo blue" and something about them "going down."  As if I didn't love this kid enough already, but to discover that she has her mom's big mouth.  How unexpected!  I was a little concerned that one of these gigantic thugs on the Azzurri was going to speak English and have supersonic hearing.  

After the parade ended, we decided that the sky looked a little ominous so we headed back to our flat.  We were barely in the door and had the "football" pre-game on tv when the heavens opened up and the crowd baptism began at the stadium.  Now, it is a little ironic to have a drenching downpour on a day that celebrates the father of the christian baptism.  

Now the crazy rain with accompanying lightening created quite the stir at the "pitch," if that is what you call it in Calcio Storico.  There was much to do about whether the game should be started or canceled.  Every time I would see lightening out the window, I would glance at the tv to see men dressed in historical suits of armor or holding ancient weaponry.  I kept hoping that one of them would not become a lightening rod!  Ultimately someone came to their senses and canceled the game.  But because we don't speak Italian we have no idea what the commentators were saying and whether the game is rescheduled (and when).  I have to make sure that we make it to the next parade so that Scarlett can taunt the opposing team.