Circus Minimus

I couldn't resist getting tickets to the circus that's in town for the week...and it was well worth the 5 euros we spent on it in entertainment value!  It started with Ashley deciding that it was a little kids' event (which, truly, it was rather) and putting on the sophisticated 14-year-old-about-town-and-way-too-bored-to-be-here face.  And that was just in the parking area!

When we arrived at the entrance, I mentioned to a circus member that we had reserved tickets (I was thinking ahead; since we had 8 people, I didn't want to have a problem getting seats together).  This caused much consternation and calling across the grassy spot to others; eventually the ticket office opened and further conferences ensued.  I showed her my special discount ticket (one of thousands they'd been passing out all around Todi), and she tried to tell me that it was only good for one person.  I started gesticulating and complaining in broken Italian (and telling her it was ridiculous besides) -- and lo & behold, we got the special price for everyone!  But I still didn't understand what the reservations had done for us...

...until we entered the "big top" that is.  Second row center, we had our NAMES posted on 8 plastic chairs! Woo hoo -- reserved seating!  Which was a good thing, since they had at least 20% occupancy in the tent after we'd been sitting for a while.

The "big top" would more accurately be called a "small top" -- it held a small ring, enough seating for maybe 100 people, and a refreshment booth.  

The show started promptly 15 minutes after the official start time, and was a delightful round of the types of acrobatics & tricks one would expect from a circus performed by (possibly) two families.  

During the five-minute intermission, we took advantage of the opportunity to sample the cotton candy (who could resist?).  It was uncolored (as in, white -- it actually looked like cotton wool!) and unflavored -- it was sweet! and tasted lightly of caramelized sugar.  

After the intermission came the high point (and heavily advertised part of the show): the reptile exhibition.  With much fanfare (and cries of "ssssssserpenti!" from the ringmaster), "Indiana Joe" came out to the soundtrack of Indiana Jones, carrying torches which he eventually extinguished in his mouth.  He boldly opened one of the boxes and brought out...the cutest little alligator you've ever seen!  It was about 3 feet long total, and took itself way too seriously.  Once the audience was properly warmed up, they brought out the vicious 5-foot model.  

Next to emerge were some snapping turtles that were plunked in the middle of the ring, along with a touchy-feely opportunity with an African tortoise of some sort (we lined the ring and stuck out our hands as it was flown around the ring in Indiana Joe's hands).  

And then...with our hearts in our mouths...out came the snakes. Indiana Joe fearlessly reached into the trunk and pulled out a few 6-foot snakes, plunking them on the platform that had been artistically decorated with skulls and shrunken heads.  Finally, a snake was levitated around the perimeter of the ring so that we could all touch.

My mom, not fond of snakes, stayed home and read her book. Definitely an afternoon well spent by all.

Love,

Alexandra