Party Time

Mardi Gras is one of America’s biggest annual parties. Here in Italy they have an annual party as well, The Cittadella del Carnevale. Every year they make giant floats and have a parade while the entire city celebrates. Today we got to visit the place where the floats are created. Because it was not the right season for the floats they were all already made and had been used. These floats were amazing, they were huge and hilarious. The majority of them were making fun of something in their country that had taken place over the last year. For example, Italy’s Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi is currently being investigated for having an affair with a seventeen year old girl. They had created a float with Berlusconi sitting on the lap of young girl. There were also floats with Obama on them. I find it so interesting that the majority of people here know about American politics but very few Americans know about Italy’s politics. Each float was literally larger than life with vibrant colors and details. I would love to be able to be a part of all these festivities one day. After we looked at most of the floats we then went to the beach. The beach in Italy is different from the beaches back home. Here you have to pay for the majority of the beaches or you have the option of going to a designated free area. Being a poor college student I opted for the free beach option. But before we went to the beach we ate and shopped. For lunch all I wanted was some French fries and a Coke so that is what I had. The fries were much crispier here than back home and the coke tasted nothing like it does in America. From now on I will stick to American cokes instead of trying them overseas. I was surprised by how many stores played American music. It felt like I was still in Tennessee. Then we went to the beach! The beaches you pay for had umbrellas and chairs and the sand was clean but on the free beach there was no chairs or umbrellas and the sand was not very clean. Many of the women went topless, the men wore speedos, and there were vendors who persistently asked you to buy whatever they were selling. It was rather annoying but I give them credit for their perseverance. Although I do love Italy I think America has much better beaches or at least better than this particular one. I can’t believe another day has come and gone here in Italy. I fear my trip will be over before I know.