No Bull

Well it has been almost a week since we returned from our trip to Pamplona and the toe still remains pretty battered along with the rest of my feet. However, it is definitely the most memorable and enjoyable trip we have done so far.

We arrived last Saturday and after travelling from Bilbao to Pamplona for almost three hours we finally arrived at the campsite around 4pm. Stranded about 50 minutes out of Pamplona and with no where to go we met with a close friend Mr Jack Daniels and got down to partying!

The next day was the opening day of the festival. We headed in early (9ish) decked out in the tokenistic red and whites complete with flip flops (which is now what I call them after being caught out more than once for inappropriately referring to my ''thongs"). Once in town we made our way to the town hall square where for the next 3-4 hours the crowd got progressively bigger and rowdier! Memorable highlights include the chant of "T*ts out for the boys", Sangria showers and large inflatable dolls being hit around the crowd. By midday the crowd was surging worst than most mosh pits we'd been in and I can honestly say I had never been so scared. At this point I looked down at my feet which were painted red, and not by Sangria! Freaked out, I panicked and quickly exited, followed closely by J. We ended up performing some simple surgery and and thanks to some friendly locals found some pretty cheapo Crocs. I battled on and had the most amazing day/night!!!!

On Monday we headed into town for the first bull run of the festival. Once there J made his way to the assembly point and I began the anxious wait.... but I believe it is better to hear this day from a runners perspective... so without further adue, here it is.

We had to wait at the town square again, only so many people can run so the first objective is to stay firm and not let the surging crowd push you down the street and out of the square. With this done we had half an hour till the run, people were stretching and warming up. Not me, pure adrenaline would get me down the 800m and into the arena before those bulls.

With five minutes left they opened up the run and people started pumping up and getting nervous. I made my way to dead mens corner, approx half way, and waited for the rockets to go off. The first one means the gates are open for the bulls, the second one means all 12 bulls have left the pen, the third rocket means all bulls have made it into the arena, and the last one means all bulls a locked away. So after hearing the second rocket I ran. Soon realizing that people would be a worse obstacle than the bulls. Half way up the road 10 people fell ahead of me, which I had to jump over. Another fell right next to me and tried to grab me, a quick palm set me free and I kept running. Hearing bull hooves coming and grown mens faces turn pale I moved to the side and ran as 6 bulls stormed passed, making a clear path infront of them. I moved right into the clear path and ran. About 100m out from the areana the second lot of bulls came and went, all except 1, which fell over in front of me. After jumping up the bull wanted to run back down the track the wrong way. I had to turn and run, before his spainish handlers turned him around. This happened about 4-5 times.

Eventually he made it into the arena and I was about a metre behind him. Once inside the crowd abrupted and the third and fourth rocket went off. Then five minutes later, they bring the bulls out 1 at a time for about a 10 minute run around the arena, and if you're in the way, you get mowed down. I survived the run and the arena, what a day!!!!

And thats how it went, on the other side of the arena fence I sat anxiously as I spotted friend upon friend safely make it into the areana, but no J. Sick with worry I made my way back to our meet spot where J was waiting safe and sound, horn marks free! Later on the bus ride back to the campsite he was able to spot himself in one of the photos I had taken. I've included below.... feel free to play where's wally and spot him yourself...

Tuesday we headed back into town for one last spin around the sights, including a walk of the bull run track and a visit to the muscle bar. At about 8 we boarded our bus to Pamplona and began the 3 hour back track to Bilbao airport where we slept overnight. Most enjoyable!

We are currently preparing ourselves for the next trip So it is bye bye Theberton Street and hello 4 weeks backpacking around Portugal and Spain. I wish I could say I was sad... hehe

Anyways, heres some piccies!

Day 1. Hanging out at the campsite with Mr Daniels.

The sangria almost as big as me! Love it!

Jarratt after the Sangria shower.

Jarratt makes a friend! :)

The bulls enter the arena, my heart enters my throat!!!

Shortly after this photo, the guy bounced back up... it was amazing he wasn't badly injured!

A quick game of where's wally anyone?