My first and last Bull Fight

I decided to give this story an entry of it's own because of the craziness and excitement of it all.

01 The Bull in the stands.

Anyway, after seeing Trotsky and Diego's houses, I met Craig back at the Hostel to head out to the Bull Fights. Neither of us had ever been to one before so we thought it was appropriate to experience it for the first time together. After a short ride on the Metro and a bit of a walk to the Plaza de Toro, we were able to get tickets and headed in. The security guards checked out packs and told us we couldn't bring in our water bottles. I drank the little bit I had left, but Craig had a brand new bottle... so he drank as much as he could with everyone around watching in amazement. So we entered the giant stadium and after going down three isles (about 15 minutes later) we found our seats. We sat down, ordered two beers, toasted to our first bull fight, just as the first bull (named Little Bird) entered the arena and jumped right into the stands and started goring people in the first row. It was MADNESS!!! People were screaming and it was total chaos in the stands. We were sitting in the middle section directly across the stadium and could see everything. We saw a guy being trampled down, and a girl pinned between the bull and the guardrail... she finally was able to get over the guardrail into the pit. Finally after what seemed like eternity (we later read in the paper it was only 40 seconds) the bull got wedged between the chairs and couldn't move. Then the official people came in and killed the bull with one of the matador swords. However it was still chaotic. Medics were running all around, rushing people away for medical attention. They were holding one lady's neck (we read in the paper she had surgery that night and is doing well). My heart was jumping out of my chest. Craig and I were talking to the people around us asking if this happens often. They said that this was the first time ever... we witnessed Mexican History. We told them this was our first Bull and our first Bull Fight. I wasn't sure how much more excitement I could handle. Finally after about 30 minutes, and 25 guys, they were able to life the bull up over the railing, into the pit area, and into the arena where the crowd cheered as it was dragged away by the horses. I was still shaking.

02 Going in for the kill

After everything was fixed up again the next matador and bull was brought out. I liked the first part where the bull just charges the matador and he gets out of the way... no one is hurt. Then they bring out the guys on horses with big spears. The bull then charges the horses and the guy stabs the bull near his shoulders. I felt bad for the horse, they are blinded so have no idea what is happening, and all of a sudden they are being ran into by a huge thing with pointy things. The horses are well protected though and don't really get hurt. So now the bull is bleeding and another matador comes out with two pole things and he stabs those into the bull's shoulders... three times!!! So by now the bull is bleeding a lot and I am really sad for him. He looks like he is in a lot of pain. So another matador comes out with a cape and a big sword. He would mess with the bull for a while wearing him down and making him tired. Then when he got a chance he would stab the sword into his shoulders. It took three swords to kill the third bull. I was about to cry... at least the animals don't die in rodeos. Then the clean up crew comes in and drags the bull away and throws dirt on any of the blood that was left in the arena. Then the next bull comes out and the same thing happens, but this matador was better and it only took two swords... so the crowd was very happy and as he did his victory lap the crowd cheered and threw out hats and coats, just so he would touch them as he threw them back.

03 Removing the injured.

At this point Craig and I had had enough... we couldn't understand why it was so popular because it was so sat. The only thing good that cold have come from this was steaks... that is what we decided they do with the dead bulls, Grade A steaks. As we left Craig had to use the bathroom (all the water he drank before going in), so I went back in to see what would happen next. It was great, the matador was on horse back and had a really well trained horse that would get in front of the bull and just as the bull would take off to try and get them the horse would run just enough not to get gored but to keep the bull chasing him. Eventually the matador would be close enough to put the rods in it's shoulders. This happened about five or six times, until the bull was wore out enough that the matador could get off and stab it with the sword. This matador was good, the bull dropped with one sword. The crowd went wild and so did we, we both really liked this one because the horses were amazing. Sure the bulls still died, but you have to remember the steaks.

04 How many men to lift a bull?

Anyway, as we gathered our belongings to leave the next bull entered the arena ran around a bit and JUMPED right over the wall again! Craig and I freaked out! This bull, thankfully, didn't have the same hops as Little Bird and was only able to make it over the first wall into the pit, not the stands. Anyway, he ran around in there and they opened a door to lead him back into the arena, and he JUMPED that one too!!! Finally he got back in the arena and the fight began... however, Craig and I couldn't take anymore excitement and got out of their. Our hearts were still pumping a mile a minute as we got back to the Hostel and told everyone what happened.

05 Taking away the bad guy!

The next morning, as we were heading to the bus station to Puebla we picked up news papers with the story on the front page. I'm sure I will never go to another bull fight. It will never (and I would never want it to) be the same.

06 The first bull.

07 OLE!!!

08 Step two- The horse with the spear.

09 Putting in the pointy rods

10 Poor Toro!

11 Just a cool picture.

12 The crowd.

13 The kill.

14 R-E-S-P-E-C-T

15 This guy was good!

16 The Horses.

17 Self Portriat

18 Check out the moves!