Pamplona

As a break from homework and projects, I'm gonna tell you a little about my short trip to Pamplona.

The Fiesta de San Fermin is week-long celebration of the feast day of Saint Fermin. On the beginning day of the Festival (July 6th), the whole town gathers in front of City Hall and awaits the lighting of the Txupinazo rocket, which signals the beginning of the Fiesta. When I say the whole town, I mean it. Nic and Wooly were there, and told me that the crowd was packed so tight they were lifted off the ground the whole time. Once the rocket is in the air, everyone pops champagne and sangria bottles and sprays them over everyone else. People in the balconies toss and water, and everyone is going nuts. I arrived in town just after this and saw the aftermath of people walking away. As I walked, a garbage truck broke a champagne bottle right in front of me (thank God I saw it coming and turned away...shards bounced off my cheeks).

I met up with my cousins, who were staying with the Centurions, a St. Theresa family from back in the day. My cousins and I walked around and wound up watching people jump from the 15-foot monument into people's waiting arms on the ground, a tradition some Australians started years ago that took on a life of it's own. One girl even went up and jumped topless. They're arguably as crazy as the people that run. After that, we went back to the apartment and caught up as we watched the Wimbledon final, but it was time for the bullfight, so we all went to watch it. I won't try to describe the skill of these bullfighters who were on horseback, so I'll just let you see for yourself:

These guys are good


After the bullfight we watdhed the remainder of one of the most epic Wimbledon finals ever (PODEMOS!!). What a week for Spain: first the EuroCup champions ship, then Nadal finally beating Federer on grass for the first time. As much as I would've liked to have seen Federer try and beat Sampras' record, I'm glad that the one to dethrone him was Rafa (he also happens to be the only one who can). After that, we went out and partied all night. The streets were flooded with people all night all the way up to the running of the bulls the next morning at 8. Again, just watch in awe as I did from the balcony of the Centurions:

These guys are crazy


A piece of advice I got from many a Spaniard: don't run without having seen this live several times. After seeing it once, I think it was good advice. The turn you see at the beginning of the video is known as dead-man's curve, and, oh yeah, the streets are wet from being cleaned a few hours before. Freaking nuts. By the way, check the Fiesta's website for all the traditions and good advice you could ever want.

We spent the rest of the day sleeping/hanging out around the city until I had to board my train to get back to Barcelona. I had a blast, and I really want to go back for a few days the next chance I get. God only knows when that'll be, though.

I didn't take as many pictures as I'd like because things were a little wild on the streets, so I had to leave my camera behind most times, but the pictures I did take are below. I may or may not go to Sitges this Saturday, depending on how busy things get. I'll post any more adventures as they happen, so hopefully you'll hear from me soon!

-Gaby