This is the start line of the Palio, shot during the testing day before the event, it allowed me to get in to where the crowd would stand for three hours in the baking sun later the following day.
Although the horses and jockeys are the stars of the Palio di Siena, it's all about the people, the contrata (the local parishes who are competing against each other), the judges (the race can't start until the start judge, the Mossiere is happy), the families, the officials, everyone.
I like this image becuase of the characters looking down on the start line, this is a serious business and these are serious people!
