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Published: October 21st 2010
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On Tuesday 12 of October, we went to Corrida de Toros and saw a bullfight.
Only problem is bullfight does not cover what I saw.
That was a National Holiday day, with parades and festivities. I sat with Any on the couch and watched the armed forced march before the kind, some on brown horses, some on white horses, helicopters in lines, jets spray out red and yellow in the fumes in the sky, the works. It was interesting to see the king and queen and royal family and all the important people around him. It was great to see how much pride my Senora took in this too. Besides the fact that she nearly dragged me to the couch and made me watch, she was smiling the entire time her eyes glued to the television.
Following this, granted I wasn't feeling 100%, I prepared to head out to the bullfight. We all met just outside the metro stop and right in front of us was the stadium. An older building, built in about 1929 and it looked really nice. No one really knew what to expect, I suppose me more than most because I hadn't discussed it
before walking in. Its a big circle in the middle, kind of like a gladiator set up with open roof. I look to my right and I see a clock with a wind director/measure on the top in the shape of a bull. Okay. So it sort of hits me that yes I am in Spain, yes I am just about half way through my trip, and yes I am actually going to view a bullfight. So contrary to my belief, the matador does not come out first. Instead you have men in outfits and pink flag like things in their hands to get the bull annoyed and agitated. And what happens when the bull charges at these guys, they hide behind a fence. That's right they hide behind them.
Next round. They bring out the men with the pink flags, bring out two men on horses all padded up with massive staffs with points. The get the bull further annoyed so the thing charges at the horse (don't worry nothing happens to the horse it is padded everywhere and eyes are covered. Even though the bull couldn't really help it I was yelling leave the horses alone just
for Katherine). Anyways as the bull charged the horse, the guy on the horse put the spear in the back of the bull and used it as a tool to push the bull away from the horse, further pushing the spear into the bull. This made me kinda upset because what is the bull suppose to do a guy from above not only instigated with it, but is attacking from up high. Not fair.
Next round. They got the bull going again with the men with the pink flags, and you see men without flags, but with two mini spears decorated with ribbons standing in the center of the ring. The game: run up to the bull and thrust the spears into the back. Frequency: multiply 2 spears times 3 men, and you are left with 6 more spears in the poor bull.
Next round. dun dun dun. Matador comes out in his fancy outfit and red flag. its a good thing the bull is already bleeding profusely and so weak. The thing about this part is the Matador taunts the bull for a while and then the objective is to use his sword and cut from the
back of the neck down through the heart. How many times did this happen. Once.....out of six times. The other times they basically had to trap the bull in a corner tap its face for it to go down and stab it. Even at times the Matador didn't do this right and the crowd yelled MUY MAL throughout the entire thing. Six bulls were put in a ring for this bullfight with no escape. And I had no idea that there were 3/4 rounds to kill it.
By the end i was sick to my stomach. And ready to leave. I couldn't believe that people really did this. I thought to myself, if only Spaniards would enjoy watching Derek Jeter run around the bases as much as I do, a lot more bulls would be saved. But apparently in southern spain bullfights are banned. Now I understand why.
Anyways this past weekend (after Morocco) was a full throttle recovery weekend because I was sick. Lots of time to bond with my Senora, watch some Bones and NCIS episodes and when I was feeling up to it, I took a walk along the river or through the street for
some fresh air. But it was nice to catch up on some sleep and just relax. By Sunday I was able to eat a full three meals and I was feeling good for my week of midterms. Midterms were really tough. I'm not expecting the kind of results that I would expect if I were at Le Moyne though. I know that. All in it for the experience as Mike would say. Which is true.
So, Spain is going really really well. I am truly enjoying my time here and taking it all in and loving every minute of me . Parts of me is already missing the time that has flown by, and I am growing closer and closer to my Senora ever day, even though the cat still hates my guts. The weather is absolutely beautiful, still pretty warm but the house is a definite ice box. Oh yea an interesting thing about Spain (I am just adding this as a mental note so I don't forget it in the future), but Spain has a strong emphasis on self image and appearance. You don't see people walking around in sweats, sneakers, or sweatshirts or even their hair
pulled back. You have to think twice before leaving the house without make up, even one of my friends told me that she felt compelled to leave her hair down and make sure her make up was in tact when going to the gym. It's an interesting thing, i feel its the one thing that Spain is not diverse in and there is quite a bit of pressure to conform. maybe i'm just crazy but it is something that I picked up on here. Nevertheless, Spain is wonderful and all is going well. Thank you everyone for keeping tabs with this and keeping in touch with me. It means a lot to me. Love you all!!!
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