SO many bodies por todos partes!
So far I have been lucky enough to see every encierro in some capacity. Sunday we got up way earlier than should be allowed and fought for a mediocre spot in the throng to see the first run. It was uneventful and hard to see anything because of the amount of runners. They really think all this through: on the first morning (because it is the most crowded and ridiculous group that runs) they use the biggest, slowest bulls that can cause the least amount of damage. There were one or two tramplings of humans by humans, but no injuries attributed to the bulls.
Monday we had a group that wanted to run. So they did. Ekkk. A small group of us got there extra early to get a good spot on the fence (which we did) so that we could try to pick out our runners (which is impossible). That run was also uneventful (THANK GOODNESS), but I was not happy until I saw all 5 of them at our meeting point after it was all over.
Tuesday we got to sleep in a little bit (and by that I mean we got up at 5:30 instead of 4:30) and watch the entrance of the bulls and runners into the Plaza de Toros. It was nice to have an actual seat for and hour before the run began instead of a 1.5 wooden fence to perch on for 2 hours or so. The morning show was a grand display of stupidity. And boy, was it entertaining. After all the bulls and chasers have been corralled and are safely away from the mass of people in the ring, they let in "little bulls" (that have had their horns de-sharpened) to "play" with the crowd. In a nutshell this involves adrenaline junkies trying to slap the bull's rear with out getting stomped on or just straight up run over.
Wednesday morning (this morning) we had an even bigger group that wanted to run. Some people decided to go for round two with fate. I won't lie: I'm so jealous. I wanted to do it so bad. But that just isn't a risk I can take right now, so I was good and sat it all out... I again breathed a huge sigh of relief when everyone reunited under the flags.
So far all the runs have been uneventful in terms of injuries related to the bulls. No gorings yet and no deaths and I hope it stays that way. The city is alive 24 hours a day and I have never had a weirded sleep schedule: up too early, siesta all day, class for 5 hours, out too late, repeat. It's brilliant but unsustainable. I can't wait for the city to be back to its quiet, clean, less-smokey self. I'm so happy that our program spanned this nonsense, and hopefully I can drag my family here with me one day ;) It's been a a blast and it is definitely an "un-repeatable 9 days." I just haven't yet decided if that means there will never be another 9 days in your life that compare to these (true) or if it means that you do it once and never do it again. We shall see. I think internationally acclaimed fireworks every night for 9 straight days is definitely doable again. Yes, we have gone every night. It's wonderful and a half.
Abrazos.
No comments:
Post a Comment