El Correo de Los Toros

This past Wednesday, my study abroad group went on an excursion to Pamplona and San Sebastian.  I had to wake up at 4 AM, but it was so worth it!

When we arrived in Pamplona, it was pretty obvious that people had been partying for several days, and even though it was a Wednesday, it was completely packed.  Apparently, the Program couldn't even take us to San Fermin on a weekend because it's too much of a liability!  They also made us sign like a zillion papers saying that we wouldn't run with the bulls, but some people are going back tomorrow to do the run.  Oh, dear.

The running of the bulls started at 8 AM, and we had to run to get to our seats in the arena in time.  We got there and watched the bulls and the (mostly) men running on the big screens, and it was such a shock when they burst into the arena and the show went live!  After that, there was this sort of competition where the people in the arena try to touch the bull, but apparently they cannot pull the tail because it is considered unfair.  It was actually pretty violent, but not the revolting sort of violent where it's hard to watch.  I thought it was really interesting, and it was sort of a quintessential Spain moment!

A man trying to touch the bull

Where the bulls emerge from for the race

After all of that excitement, we left the arena and explored Pamplona a little bit.  I bought the red scarf to go with my white shirt, since that's traditional.  I also had the traditional churros con chocolate!

We loaded up in the afternoon and drove all the way to San Sebastian - it was a cool town and I wish we could have had more time.  I really wanted to go to the beach there, but it was cold.  At least it stopped raining, though!  Also, the stores were really cute, and everything didn't cost an arm and a leg, which was nice.

Beach at San Sebastian

A man making sand art

Cathedral in San Sebastian

Finally, I came back home and I completely crashed for many hours!  Anyway, I'm so glad that I was able to see San Fermin, it is definitely one of the most interesting things I have seen, and I'm also excited that my friends and I are going to southern France tomorrow - updates to follow!