Easter

Easter Morning. Mami, David and I ventured out to see the traditions of Florence. We went to midnight mass Saturday night so we could head out early.
Scoppio del carro/ Explosion of the Carraige
This was in between the Dome and the Baptismal in the center of the city.
This tradition started during the time of the crusades. A thirthy foot tall carraige is filled with fireworks and paraded down the streets, pulled by white oxen. Then the Cardinal of Florence lights the dove (rocket head) and sends it from the top of the bell tower to the carraige. The fireworks lasted about 20 minutes.
We were surprized the whole city didn`t burn down.

There were lots of people but we acted like Italians and worked our way to where we could see.

You can see the people on the roof and in the windows of the building, watching.

Lots of children. These two started kissing eskimo style- then hugging- then fighting. Just like all siblings;)

First white smoke...

then red smoke...

then purple smoke. Then the fireworks started. Very loud!

These fireworks were very pretty.

more fireworks.

Then the firemen checked out the carriage to make sure all the fire is out. We thought the carriage would burn all the way. But it did not.

Then the cows, oxens, pulled the carriage away.
Notice the cows have on their Easter Bonnets. Very nice:)

Bye bye cows. You can see the farmers with their cows. in the picture above you can see the three women in their bonnets. I don:t know if this is costume or really how they dress today.?

This city worker has pretty flowers, I think from the farmers.?

Happy Easter every one.

"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, thought he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die"
John 11:25,26