Running with the Bulls ~ Encierro

San Fermin is accompanied by dancers and street entertainers.The week-long celebration involves many other traditional and folkloric events. It is known locally as Sanfermines and is held in honor of Saint Fermin, the co-patron of Navarre. Its events were central to the plot of The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway, which brought it to the general attention to the World. It has become the most internationally renowned fiesta in Spain.

Our morning began at 5:30am.... Rushing down to the streets after a long night was tough, but we made it and our adrenaline quickly woke us. Anxiously waiting for the run to begin, the rocket was lit, the bulls released from their pin, and the crowd began running, screaming, pushing their way towards the bull fighting arena.

We jogged for the first minute thinking "Oh it'll be a while before the bulls are near" .... Within 70 seconds we were running within arms reach right next to the enormous beasts! The ground shook as they went by. It was madness!

Not only did you have to watch out for the bulls, you had to watch out for the fear crazed people beside you, and if one person went down, 5 - 10 people toppled on top of them.

We hurdled a few piles of people and ran like we've never run before. Making our way into the Arena we ran all the way to the back wall, checked for any injuries, hugged, celebrated and took a few pictures before the next round of bulls came out.

A minute later a young bull was released into the crowd, running full speed taking out anyone that was in it's path. When the bull grew tired, they took it out of the arena and released a new bull full of energy. The people on the arena floor that were really seeking an adrenaline rush would run up, touch the bull and run away. For those that weren't quick enough, They went down like a rag doll. They went limp and their eyes rolled back as they fell to the ground.When visiting a foreign country, make sure you research how not to offend the locals ~ Luckily I do my research and know better, but unfortunately we witnessed someone that had not done their research. One guy that was feeling extra macho thought it we be cool to grab both horns of the bull and roll over it's back. As soon as his feet hit the ground and he began to rejoice at least 10 locals beat the sh*t out of him, drug him to the side and beat him some more. Moral of the story ~ Don't touch the

horns, they are sacred. 7 bulls were released total. It was so surreal listening to the cheers, ooh's and ahh's, seeing everyone's adrenaline pumping. Definitely an experience of a lifetime.