The main square of the Tuscan town of Arezzo transforms into a jousting track when the bi-annual Joust of the Saracen - (a medieval term for the ‘infidels’ the Crusades sought to convert) takes place. The “primary” joust is in June, with the main event the first weekend in September. Like the heart of American football season, every cobbled street here is festooned with flags bearing the rich colors and crest of one of the four competing town quadrants. And, having just moved here, we had to get into the action. Our three year old daughter, Lulu, decided she liked the Porta San Spirito colors of blue and gold the best. So, she picked out a matching toy trumpet from the street vendors who set up tables everywhere selling silk scarves, toy drums, trumpets and other noise makers all with corresponding team colors. The practice sessions that this photo is taken from were free, while tickets for the actual joust event started at 50 Euro - so we thought we’d save up for next year!
