Pamplona with the bulls (today!)

[gauchogolfer]

Hi everyone, I thought I'd share some pictures I took today from the Fiesta de San Fermin in Pamplona. First of all, I'm really tired, so apologies in advance for any mistakes in the post. The fiesta is crazy; people going out at about 11PM to get some food, party till 6AM, then find a spot to wait for the run until around 8AM. Afterwards, go into the Plaza del Toros to watch everyone stumble around in the way of the bulls. We stayed to watch the start of the first amateur fight, but left before things got bloody and came home to sleep. This is basically a 200-hour party, because nothing is ever closed. Exhausting, but sweet.

OK, onto the pics.

This one is of the band getting the crowd in the Plaza woken up before the entry of the bulls.

Me in the traditional white and red that the entire town wears for the fiesta.

The entry of the bulls, with a guy getting a very near miss.

One of the bulls decides to go after a guy on the other side of the barrier.

A stupid drunk tries to wrestle the bull...bad idea. He got taken away by the cops.

Entry of the amateur bullfighters and horseman.

A nice pass by one of the younger fighters. We left soon after, as the blood-letting was about to start.


So, I hope you all enjoy the pictures, and if you have stories or images of your own of Pamplona, please share them.

Cheers!

 

[AJ Muni]

Awesome pics gauchogolfer!! It looks like alot of fun, glad you enjoyed it. Was it your first time attending it?

 

[gauchogolfer]

Awesome pics gauchogolfer!! It looks like alot of fun, glad you enjoyed it. Was it your first time attending it?

Yep, this is actually my first time in Spain, and the first city here I've been to. I'm looking forward to getting on to Bilbao and San Sebastian, to get a little break from the craziness here. Everyone is very friendly, though, and the atmosphere is great. I'll probably come back in the future.

 

[2nyRiggz]

Cool....Hate what happens to the bull after though.


Bless

 

[Abstract]

Oh cool. Have any photos of yourself running down the street while bulls chase you?

I've always wanted to do that.

 

[gauchogolfer]

Oh cool. Have any photos of yourself running down the street while bulls chase you?

I've always wanted to do that.

Sadly, no, since they'll pull you out of the line pretty quickly if they spot a camera. I was impressed with the degree of control that they maintain over such a chaotic event. They do pretty thorough sweeps of the route before the 'encierro' (that's the name of the run) gets started. So, no pics from that part. Only afterwards.

 

[mulze22]

Wow. Great pictures. I hope you had real fun. I've always wanted to go to a bull fight but I am kinda worried about the gore factor.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Esquisite Photos!

gauchogolfer,

Dude do you have anymore photos of your trip there?

Was wondering if I can have a large photo shot of the bull fights in the hall so that I may use it as my desktop.

 

[xsedrinam]

Great shots, gauchogolfer! I've been to only one bull fight in Medellín, Colombia years ago. That was enough. By the end, I was cheering for the bulls.

 

[BoyBach]

Firstly, bull-fighting is barbaric.

Secondly, during my holiday in Portugal this year we had two "Pamplonian's"(?), Xavi and Ramon, sharing our hostel room - along with Frank from Australia - and they were as crazy as a box of frogs! I could easily imagine them taking part in the Bull Run after watching them surf. Their motto was basically "CHARGE!!!!!" They were a great, great laugh. (Taught us all a few Spanish swear words too!)

Thirdly, they really are some nice photos.

 

[CHAOS STEP]

Firstly, why did you see and participate in such a barbaric event and then bottle out at the gory bit.

I think that bull fighting and the bull run are completely inappropriate and should be banned.

But if you HAVE to see it, then should should see it through to the bloody end, or it's a complete kop out.

 

[lu0s3r322]

how often is this held? i think im getting this mixed up with the running of the bulls.

 

[spicyapple]

Me in the traditional white and red that the entire town wears for the fiesta.

Did you ever get a chance to go down into the stadium? You looked dressed for a day of gory fun and run.

 

[joepunk]

Lovely photos you have there. Please share more

Hope the rest of your trip is just as exciting.

 

[gauchogolfer]

how often is this held? i think im getting this mixed up with the running of the bulls.

This is the same event you're thinking of, I imagine. It's held every year in July.

 

[gauchogolfer]

Firstly, why did you see and participate in such a barbaric event and then bottle out at the gory bit.

I think that bull fighting and the bull run are completely inappropriate and should be banned.

But if you HAVE to see it, then should should see it through to the bloody end, or it's a complete kop out.

I went to watch the run in the morning, as well as the portion just after when they send in young animals for the runners to 'play' with in the arena. The actual fighting was in the afternoon, and was quite expensive. We saw a free session with amateurs, but left at first blood, as I couldn't handle the look on the bull's face. If that's a cop out in your book, so be it.

 

[spicyapple]

I discovered this little gem on MR and just had to share it with y'all.