¡TORO TORO!

I went to a bullfight on Sunday.

This is the part where you say "Dude, that's awesome!"


Bullfighting (una corrida de toros) is a historic and national symbol and we decided we had to see one while here in España. It was surreal to show up to the stadium - which was like being at a baseball game looking at a chalked, round arena and watching people buy beer and sell snacks - and know we were about to witness a completely foreign sport executed by matadors who are pretty much the Spanish equivalent of Brad Pitt. The event opened with a band and procession of all the participants and their elaborate costumes.


This is the part where you take back the "Dude, that's so awesome!"

A bullfight is the most horrifying thing I have ever witnessed live. They torture a magnificent animal which is eventually killed right in front of you.

In the first round the matador's helpers, who have pink capes, anger the bull, always running for safety behind walls on the edge of the area. The second round: 2 picadores on horseback come out and try to stab the bull in the neck. The horses are blindfloded so they can't run away from the bull that charges at their iron siding. One horse was knocked over and had to be dragged off the field. Next, three banderilleros come out each holding two colorful sticks that look like fourth of July decorations with knives at the end. They run at the bull and stab the sticks into its neck by the first wound. Eventually the bull has six knives bouncing from his neck and is bleeding profusely.



The final round is the matador. He does a calculated, surprsingly sensual dance with the bull and finally drives a giant sword into its neck.



His helpers return and stand in a circle around the animal, teasing him until he is dizzy enough and has lost enough blood. He falls to the ground and looks up at the four men around him. One comes over and drives a knife into his brain. He is instantly killed and dragged off the field to the sound of trumpets.

Rinse the blood and repeat 7 more times. Yep, 8 bulls.

So now I can say I went to a bullfight....definitely another lesson in culture shock.