When people think of Running of the Bulls, they think of Pamplona. That is the famous place for it, but small towns in other regions do their own version as well. In Cantabria, the famous one is held in Ampuero, and so being a foreigner, I had to go and see it for myself. :) Can't be in Spain and not see one of these at least once, despite what your opinion of this crazy tradition may be.
If you aren't aware of the concept, this is how it works. Basically, they take a bunch of bulls, let them loose and they race down the streets on a pre-determined course (fenced off from the spectators) with lead bulls that don't attack but know where to go. I have no idea how, but the brown ones lead the black ones (the dangerous ones that will gore) and they end up at the bullring at the end. Then there is the typical bullfight and whatnot inside that I personally do not want to see in person, having seen enough on tv.
Oh yes, and did I mention that crazy "daring" people race alongside the bulls, dodging so as not to get run over or jabbed??
People everywhere, behind the fence hoping to get a good view of the race.
Specially made holes in the cement to hold the huge posts, which are then held in place with smaller wedges. The fences are reinforced with steel and super solid......just in case........... We felt pretty safe behind it all.
The crazies *ahem* brave people warming up for the run.
It happened so quickly that I managed only a very short snippet of it. We waited a long time and then it was over in a flash!! But hey, another thing to check off my "experience Spanish culture" list. :)
