The Running of the Bulls in Pamplona takes place every July 6-14. It is also known as the Festival of San Fermin. This was an amazing event that really takes a look at the deep-rooted Spanish culture and heritage, and you get a lot of crazies in one spot.
Boarding the train for Pamplona
There seemed to be a party every time we crossed this square (yet that is not captured in this picture)
You can't really see it but these are massive puppet people that parade through the city every day
Party in the square like all the time
This is at 6:30 a.m. on the way to the balcony
People spreading out through the city streets getting ready for the 8 a.m. start
Please notice the foot below this bull (video is below)
The creepy stuffed bull that everyone took a picture with
We didn't know this at the time but these horses pulled the dead bulls out of the arena
The bull fight that night
The matadors before the fight.
Let me take this time to talk about the bull fight.
I had no idea what to expect, but I really wanted to go to experience this part of their culture. The Spanish people have been taking part in bull fights way before the US was even a country. Not gonna lie, I almost started to cry when the first bull came out. No I do not agree with the killing of these animals (although it was explained later that they live longer than other bulls since they are bred for the fight), but I really got to see how proud the Spanish people are of their culture. I don't regret the experience at all for all you nay-sayers out there.
One of the more PG related pictures
If you look closely, you can see the wine soaked people. They put red wine in water guns and sprayed it everywhere. Not ideal for my white J. Crew dress but I got away with only a few spots.
A glimpse of the Princess of Austria (in red)
This is the next morning at around 8:02 a.m. The running leads everyone into the arena for the young bulls to have some fun (around 3 people were knocked out during this)
Go to about the :45 second mark for the view from our balcony (the video may be a little grainy, thanks to blogger it has to be majorly compressed)
Love,
