Runnin runnin

This post is coming almost a month and a half after my return from Spain. But there are so many things I didn't get a chance to blog about while I was in Spain that I feel the need to share with all of you so I am doing it after the fact! Our CIDE group went to Pamplona for las fiestas de Sanfermines, more commonly known as the running of the bulls. It was incredible. Its something I don't even think I can do justice explaining. I called a cab at 3:30am, got on the bus to Pamplona at 4 in the morning, slept until 7am when we arrived. Walked through the city to the bull arena and and took our seats. It pretty packed with people was so high energy and I felt so immersed in a cultural experience. It was like nothing I've ever been a part of before. All of the stores on the almost mile long path are closed and boarded up and people who live in apartments along the path are out on their balconies getting ready to watch. At 8am sharp the people who are to run with the bulls start to chant to the statue of San Fermin and when they are done someone shoots off a rocket and the bulls are let loose from the bull pin which is located behind all of the runners so they run THROUGH them on their way to the bull ring.  12 bulls in all, 6 domesticated bulls that are black and white and 6 black bulls that are wild (and very mean.) The people who actually run with the bulls are crazy. Now I understand saying that the people who participated in this tradition are crazy is not very culturally sensitive but the bulls are HUGE, and they run so fast. I was afraid just watching it from about 30 rows up.  Watch THIS! and maybe you'll understand a little better. After the run was complete all 12 bulls were taken out of the arena and the runners were given a few minuets to celebrate and catch their breath. Then one at a time smaller bulls were let into the arena and were basically taunted by the runners. Several people got hit by the bulls and one man was knocked unconscious. This was my least favorite part of the whole experience because the little bulls looked so confused and lost and I felt bad for them. It felt almost cruel to the bulls (not to mention that 6 bulls get killed a night for the 7 day fiesta.)  But its just a part of the culture and I am very glad to have been a part of it.