I have always wanted to go to a bullfight. Randy, seeing as he is from Texas, isnt so excited about the bulls (yall have rodeo) but accompanied me anyway.
The Madrid Bullfighting Ring is one of the best in the world. It is called Las Ventas - and has a capacity of 20,000. There are no seats to sit on, just concrete stairs. You can rent "cushions" for 1.20 Euros. (AC/DC have also performed at this location)
May is San Isidro 2010 Festival month. During this month there are bullfights every day (usually its just Sundays). The tickets sell out immediately for the San Isidro fights. We managed to get some (approx $350 for 2). We were only 6 rows back, and could hear the bull snort. It was incredible.
A bullfight starts around 7pmish, and has no fixed time length. There are 3 matadors (with their team) and each Matador has 2 bulls to fight (Total of 6 bulls). The Matadors and their team enter the arena and show off some fancy horse footwork. (see Video)
When the actual fight starts - the matador is on horseback and he has 3 helpers in the arena with him (Like rodeo clowns except they are wearing 18thC Andalucian Costumes and have capes instead of barrels - not sure why they are pink). It seems our evening was unique in the fact that our bullfighters killed the bull from the horse, and only got on the ground, after the killing blow.
The matador and bull make a number of passes at each other, during which time the matador is apparently weighing up his competition. His sword carrier runs around the arena with his swords - so the matador can ride to any side of the arena, and pick up a sword.
From what I can tell there are 3 types of Sword used. 1 very short one at the start of the fight, then a selection (3 or 4) of dangling swords - and then - what I have named - the "death sword". This is the very long sword that is used to kill the bull by inserting the sword deeply between the bulls shoulder blades. (see photo)
I have always been a fox-hunting advocate, and pro blood sports in general. I would never be cruel to animals myself, nor could I bring about the death of an animal for entertainment. I approached the bullfight with no issues about it at all - and I was looking forward to a great evening of skill.
When the first bull died - I was distraught - I realised I had never actually watched an animal die before. I was quite shocked. It was a clean kill though, the bull went down quickly.
When the second bull died - I almost walked out. The matador wasnt very good, and took 3 good attempts to get the "death sword" into the bull. What impressed me the most - was the crowd was also upset. They did not award the ears to the matador, and there were no cheers. Just a deadly hush.
The 4th bull took a long time to die - even the matador was clapping it in respect. I added this at the end of my video. It is incredibly difficult to watch.
By the time it got to the 6th bull - I was accustomed to the death process.
After the bull dies - If the matador did good - crowd gets out white handkerchiefs and waves them at the "Presidents" box. The president then presents a white handkerchief to the crowd - this means that the matador will be awarded with one ear from the bull. If the matador did really good - he gets 2 ears, and on very rare occasions - he gets both ears AND the tail.
While the handkerchief waving is going on, a team of people with a couple of horses (with nice flower decorations) come out, and drag the dead bull out of the arena. (see video) The sand where he bled - is covered up/removed .There is a lot of blood. A terrible amount of blood is shed.
And so it goes on.........
There is a great respect for the bulls, and they are used at the top restaurants in Madrid. The audience dont want to see cruelty, but do want to see a good display of field sports. It is a technically challenging event - the way the matadors use the horses to antagonise the bulls. And the bulls are such incredibly powerhouses - their sheer strength and agility was breathtaking
Randy says he wont go again. I dont blame him. I think I could go again, but only to accompany someone else - to share the experience.
Sometimes, the bull fights back..... This was from last Fridays fight. (graphic image)
The Video of our Bullfighting Evening....
The first few seconds are nice to watch, I have added captioning for when it may get difficult to watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6T5hZqmd_Y
Vienna next! Woot
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