The Running of the Bulls is this week in Pamplona, Spain. Once again there have been a number of injuries.
The Atlantic reports that this event has been held every year since 1591. A quick search in Wikipedia finds that there have even been 15 deaths since 1910 in this annual event.
The photos are terrifying, yet somehow also alluring.
This experience is on many bucket lists. And it certainly does seem to be one of the world’s great spectacles and an intruiging cultural event.
I would love to see the event from an apartment above the corridor, but I can confidently say, as someone who has bungee jumped and gone sky diving, I would not have any interest in participating in the actual running.
I am sure my family will be relieved to read that last line, as I have been known to take a risk or two over the years. Maybe I am getting older…or wiser.
What do you think? Would you do it? If money for travel were no object? What makes this event so compelling to so many? What is it that makes people willing to take such enormous risks for an adrenaline rush? Would you want to see it?
I would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reading.
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newsofthetimes 
I’m with you, this is a spectator sport from afar!
🙂
Elisa
Thanks! Seems like the wise way to approach it…but it would be fun to see the chaos and the colors. Thank you for the comment!!
Your welcome! I do enjoy both the colorful and cringe-worthy photographs that are taken every year, it’s an amazing tradition.
No!
🙂 Wise woman…
Nada! I love the first photo….very cool.
Isn’t that gorgeous? Some day I am going to take photos like that…thanks so much for the comment!
My guess is that they are out of their f#@#ing minds! Perhaps they don’t have enough to occupy themselves. But I will stick with my initial remark!
🙂 Well said, as usual!
I’d love to see it for real just that once 🙂
Me too, although I share Mimi’s discomfort with it and the impact on the poor bulls.
Mara,Excellent video!!!! Proves that Wal-Mart is not good to their employees. Why fire this greteer? She did not have to put up with that customer’s shit! That’s why I could not do that job. No way could I just stand there and take it. BTW,Too bad you couldn’t find a google image of Grayson wearing his peace tie.
I love the pictures, the richness of color and the energy…I even bow to its tradition. But as one who has never bungee jumped or sky-dived (dove?) I wouldn’t want to do this…and I have a hard time thinking what this does to the bulls (let alone the people who are tromped on by crowds or gouged by a horn along the way)….:-)
I definitely share your discomfort with this. But I find myself facinated by the entire display on so many levels!
Totally understand!! 🙂
I love those photos…and think I would prefer to experience this particular event through them, thank you very much! A co-worker actually just updated his facebook status to announce that he’ll be taking this on shortly. I am equal parts excited and nervous for him!
Wow. I don’t know anyone who is crazy enough to do it, I don’t think…that is wild! Is he an adrenaline junky or a culture junky? I think you would have to be one or the other. I am the second…thanks for the comment!
A bit of both, I think. He’s stopping off in Spain before making his way to London where he’ll be volunteering with the 2012 Olympics, so there you go!
Sounds like a wonderful trip. Now I’m jealous…but again, only from an apartment balcony above the corridor! 🙂
I would not do it. And I would not bungee jump, or skydive either! (I’m scared of heights and 2000 lb animals charging at me!
Actually, I wonder if I would do those things now. I did them all in my invincible 20s. 🙂 My 40s feel a little less invincible…thanks for reading and commenting!! I hope you are doing great!
I would go to observe but wouldn’t want to be an active participant. I’d get an adrenaline rush just watching.
Totally agree….when do we book our tickets? 🙂
Let’s plan for next year …
I’m in!
Don’t think so! ….. 🙂 The pictures are awesome!
Aren’t they?!? They are obviously not mine. But that is how I would like to go – as a photographer! Seems safer…Thanks for reading and for the comment!
A lot safer. 🙂
Indeed. 🙂 And maybe pays??? Thanks again for the comment!
Great photos. It is a fascinating tradition, but I can’t imagine why anyone would feel compelled to do it. I’m with Diane. Don’t do bungee jumping or skydiving. Life is exciting enough for me as it is. I get my thrills in other gentler ways.
Thanks so much! They are not mine – I wish they were – but they were fun to look for. You can see more if you click on any of the links. What a spectacle! Thanks for reading and for leaving a comment!
I would only risk my life over something that is a necessity for me and my fellow inhabitants of this great earth. NEVER would I risk my life foolishly running in the streets with bulls.
Wise woman. Spoken like a sensible nurse. 🙂 Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment!
Me, run with the bulls? Not on your life…or my life…or anyone’s life! I wouldn’t even want to watch it. I’m not the train-wreck type of person by any stretch of the imagination. I can’t watch medical shows where people get needles or stitches or operations. I feel other’s pain too deeply. It’s not that I don’t get the adrenalin rush when doing something terrifying. I love roller coasters and I’ve been parasailing. I’d love to try zip-lining even though heights terrify me. But running in front of the sharp horns of bulls? No way! I couldn’t run fast enough to escape being skewered!
I bet you could beat them in a race. 🙂 You sound pretty adventurous, nonetheless. Thanks so much for reading and for your comment!
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