Bullfighting is a hugely controversial issue. Especially here in Spain.
Young people seem to hate it, (well, majority) whilst older people seem to enjoy it, (again probably only a slight majority).
We were offered tickets by our Landlord.
Time to decide.
After talking to lots of people and reading too much online, we decided to go for it. I for one, want to make my own decisions on these things instead of trying to glean bits and bobs of facts.
The run up was spectacular.
There were people everywhere, this lorry had to fight its way through to get the horses to the arena.
The day before the fights, the fighters and their families dress up and arrive by carriage. The horses are beautiful and so are the outfits!
I am not sure what this signifies, but we watched them drag it around :)
On the day of the fight, the arena was pretty impressive.
We had front row seats, but gave them up after the first round - Annoying smokers just behind us!
How rude to smoke outside... Ha.
Firstly came the showing off.
Lots of trotting around. Our tickets were for the horseback day, not the standing.
There were three fighters, two men and women which actually surprised me.
What surprised me more were the babies and 3-6year olds running around and watching the show too.
So after lots of bows and tributes
They started one at a time.
There were some near misses!
The aim of the event:
The rider put 6 flags onto the bull (yes with sharpe lances) and then the bull is slaughters.
The verdict?
Uncomfortable. Yes all for tradition, but sometimes it was just cruel. I couldn't take any photos after the bull had been hurt, hence the distinct lack of here.
A sport which is coming to an end, and lacks the excitement for us. We left at half time.
But I can see why it has it's place for some people, and the real tradition it stirs up in the town is amazing to see.
X