We flew into Pamplona feeling quite lagged after a massive four days in Ibiza. Connected with our Topdeck Tour and walked around the city and coming to the realisation that in just a couple of days, we would be running through the city with 500kg+ bulls hot on our tail. As a background San Fermin or Running of the Bulls is an event popularised By Ernest Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises based on his experiences in the city in 1925.
Watched a traditional bullfight on our second night and was admittedly a little hard to watch, the tradition of killing and eating the bulls during the festival dates back to the 16th century, so it was hard to make judgement on tradition. Men on horses would insert metal pegs just behind the head of the bull also along with the matadors. From there, one matador would take over and tease the bull until fatal blows were made to the back of the head with a long metal rod. The bull is then tied up and taken away on horses. I certainly acknowledge tradition but our feelings were it was pretty rough.
Our final morning we awoke at sparrow fart for the event we had all been anxiously waiting for, the running of the bulls. Upon finding ourselves a place within the hundreds of runners, we awaited a first rocket which is set off at 8 a.m. to alert the runners that the corral gate is open. A second rocket signals that all six bulls have been released. With the runners jumping up and down like meerkats attempting to get a view of the bulls, everyone begins to make a move through the streets for an 800 metre run to the stadium. The feeling of running into the bull ring stadium with thousands of people cheering you on just adds to the rush and made for one of the best experiences we've had. Thankfully, none of the boys were injured and mate it through safe and sound.
From there we headed onto San Sebastian and again showing that we weren’t on a backpacker’s budget, we took an hour long taxi as opposed to rail or bus. San Sebastian was beautiful and just what we needed after a hectic week in Ibiza and Pamplona. Hired bikes a few times and took in the sights of the amazing coastline.
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