We had our meal and drinks and then went out back to where the bullring was. The first thing we all see is the ambulance and paramedics standing by. Everyone just about stopped in their tracks. I had not even seen the bull yet but already started shaking and re-thinking my exuberance at getting in the ring. They let the bull out the trailer and into the ring and this thing came out guns blazing. He tore into the ring and immediately charged after the Spanish guys in the ring. He was ramming into the walls with his horns and everything. We all stood in silence. And they called this bull a baby. Yeah a baby at about 400 pounds. The young matador-in- training did some bullfighting passes with the bull to tire him out for us. We thought that each of us would have the matador next to us or get some training before we went in. Nope. When the first American got in the ring, he was simply given the cape and the Spanish just hung out on the side of the ring watching and if anyone seemed in trouble, then they would come and draw the bull's attention away. This went for any woman who got in the ring as well! Out of 50 people there for the H&F, only about 10 got in the ring.
On a side note, the bull's horns were dull so when the bull rammed anyone with his horns (which he did) it did not hurt, cause blood or tear up anyone's clothing (my biggest worry;) But this bull knocked quite a few people down, rammed them in the butt, launched them a few feet and even knocked the commanding officer of the base on his back! I decided that I would simply get in the ring and get a photo op with the bull as opposed to trying to fight it. I know my strengths and weaknesses plus I had a new sweater on! I know, I know...pathetic.
Below are pictures of Justin fighting the bull and me simply inching close enough to the bull to take a picture and then run like hell out of the ring.
Our first view as we walk to the ring. The paramedics.
Justin, the matador.
El toro gets closer.
Action shot of the bull and Justin. Ole!
Coming in for another pass.
El toro makes the turn.
Ole!
Ole! Justin did awesome. The bull never touched him. 
Here I am praying that I don't die just to get a pic of myself in the ring with a bull. The kid was laughing at me.
The bull is sidetracked with the man at the wall.
El toro is turning around.
He sees me.
El toro is waiting for me to do something. And I am. Screaming for Justin to take the picture.
We get closer. As you can see, the kid is pushing me towards the bull and I am trying not to get any closer. Luckily the bull was very tired at this point.
My fave pic. El toro started foaming at the mouth and then he snorted at me. You can see the stuff coming out of his nose. This was when I told the kid I was done and ran out of the ring. There is nothing scarier than a bull staring at you with those charcoal eyes....
4 comments:
OMG- that is THE COOLEST THING IN THE WHOLE WORLD!!! I am so jealous!
What an amazing experience! Awesome.
H, this is very usual in this part of Spain. the name of the party is Capea, and the bull is called Vaquilla. depending on how many times the vaquilla has been perfomancing the event, it becomes more dangerous, because she learns where to hit. the last I went was terrible because she did not even look to the capotes (the pink sheet you use to protect yourself), and she was only up for legs or bodies. here is the funny story, I remember the vaquilla was going in my way, so I managed to climb the wall, and I sat there. then I realize that someone was pushing me out to the ring just when the vaquilla was passing under my legs (a moment ago, she was staring at me). I fell down just in the lowest part of her back (yes, so called the buttom), and at the same time, I turned back to see who pushed me. then I saw my sister laughing and with the hands on the position of pushing me. at that moment I was really fed up with her. now, things are different, because I have a funny story to tell. what do you thing? with friends like my sister, who needs enemies?
You kids are crazy, wow! What an experience. Also, you look VERY beautiful, Heather. Miss you!
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