Diary+Entry+3

Dear Diary

Our next destination was 'The Running Of The Bulls' which is the single most characteristic event of the Fiesta of San Fermin in Pamplona. It is the event which has given the Fiesta world wide fame and which is broadcast around the world during the fiesta in July.

This was another exciting event to visit because my grandfather told me many stories and how many people have been hurt and it was also a well-known attraction and I was interested to see it for myself although I would not be running with the bulls I would just watch. After walking 15mins to the train and getting easy to directions from the staff at hotel they drew it out on a map how to get to the trainstation. After getting to the fiesta of San Fermin there was a large consisty of young men (although their was some women running too). They were wearing white tops and pants, red scrafs around the waist and neck. They were all preparing themselves to lead the bulls from their pen up into the bullring. It was very exciting everyone was cheering, screaming, their were little old ladies waving their hankies from their windows, the atmosphere was fantastic.

Everyone in the crowds had to stay behind the double-fencing along the route. Then the runners began to sing,the song went like this: "A San Fermín pedimos, por ser nuestro patrón, nos guíe en el encierro dándonos su bendición" ("We ask San Fermín, as our Patron, to guide us through the Bull Run and give us his blessing"). I was unaware of what was occuring and after the singing, a rocket was let off and the bulls also known as 'toros' were released then a second rocket was let off and everyone started running for their life. I couldn't stop laughing at the people running their facial exppressions were halarious. The race didn't go for that long. A man beside me spoke to me in Spanish and said that the running of the bulls only went for 1-2 mins, they run about 830metres and that you don't have to sign up to race you just choose the street that you want to run in. He also told me a brief history that the run began as part of the process of moving bulls from the edge of town to the bullring. During the mid 1800s, and that runners began to join the herd on their journey. And thats how it became known as the running of the bulls.

Once the race was over a 3rd rocket was triggered to let the people know that the bulls are in the ring. Their were a few people injured but not serverly. I couldn't believe that human beings actually risk their lives just to run with the bulls, people have died running with bulls but some people are actually really pationate about it

It was a very exciting day a gentleman gave me a red scraf to remember the day. And it would be a day that I'll never forget!

Rachael Verdejo

http://www.spanishunlimited.com/spain/fiestas/feriadeabril.asp http://www.sanfermin.com/guia/in_encierro1.shtml