On Thursday, June 2nd, Rome celebrated their Republic Day with a military parade running from the Colosseum to the Capitoline Hill, and we were there!
John and I were warned that the show had started by a roaring air force fly-by that left a misty display of the National Flag colours over our patio in the centre of Rome.
We arrived at the Capitoline Hill just as a Carbinieri band was beginning the parade.
They were followed by a military band.
The parade is a lush collection of uniforms, military music,
corp chants and heavy-duty war equipment. The crowd of spectators was suitably enthusiastic.
I couldn't help sympathizing with these masked desert soldiers marching in the heat.
We moved down the street in search of shade as the parade ended with this fine-feathered band
and the dashing soldiers behind them.
What are the gorgeous feathers on their head-gear?
Raven plumes perhaps.
The show ended with this chanting chorus of white-stockinged military nurses. What a great climax!
As the parade ended parachutists with Italian flags and swirling smoke trails appeared
and the troops quickly boarded buses
(hopefully air-conditioned) to make their exit.
Stupefacente, says Google - Amazing.
ReplyDeleteLisaRR