San Fermina (Running of the Bulls)

Hey Folks,

Absolute chaos. Total loss of all ability to make the right decision. Alchohol, the solution and cause of all lifes problems.

I have a theory. If a festival like this happened anywhere in North America the city would be burnt to the ground, people would just die, and puppies would be kicked. The Spanish seem to be able to party like the world is ending and yet things are in control. Almost like watching pigeons move around randomly yet in some sort of pattern.

Ive never seem men and specifically women squat and let 'er rip in the middle of the street. PTA was pretty interesting as well. By about 7pm the streets were full of glass, plastic, shoes, clothes, all soaked in beer and urine.

Well here are some pictures from the event. I was only there for 2 days, the opening ceremonies and the following mornings 8 am bull run.

Enjoy!

D.

They dont really have official numbers on the amount of people but estimates are at somewhere around 60 thousand people. All drunk and dressed in white with red sashes and scarves.

Almost hourly the cleanup crews seemed to hose down the main Plazas.

Yes even the kids are exposed to the drunkeness, nudity, public urinating and 24 hour partying.

Poor Moo Cows! Only the black one gets it in the end.

The real party begins as the sun leaves.

They have alcohol "trauma" units around the major arteries.

Joe Cocker and other huge names were in town.

Posted at the request of the participant.

Pasted out at 2 am? Silly tourist!

Even the bulls couldnt get any rest.

About 6 am, couldnt get much rest in the park.

Trying to get a good view isnt that easy.

Unless your these guys.

At 8 am two rocks are fired signalling that the run has started. 6 bulls are released and panic hits the runners. The pounding of pavement is pretty crazy. Even just watching the event is thrilling cause the noisy is so intense. The run lasts about 3 min and the bulls whip by fast. You cannot outrun a bull, its not possible.

Nobody was killed this year but a whole ton of people were gorged and hospitalized. In the morning I was actually in the running line until a cop told me I couldnt run because I had my camera. Oh well. As I started to walk up the street the cops started pushing the crowd back behind the 2nd row of fences. Being drunk and unruley the police started to baton a bunch of people, women included. Bring out the teargas! (Im totally serious) They gases about 30 people until they retreated behind the fences to get started. This where I left to the position where you see my photos from, its called Deadmans corner. Deadmans corner is basically where the bulls slide into the barrier and lots people go with them. Ouch!

All the good stuff is filmed so youll have to wait till I get home.

Ciao!