the running of the bulls

[silverwhisper]

is this something you would ever do?

ed

p.s.: as always, my answers later, yadda yadda yadda...

 

[EJFan]

i wouldn't... but studies show that people who put themselves in danger on a regular basis tend to live longer. usually this refers to "controlled" danger (like a roller coaster) but i suspect this would work as well.

 

[Guest]

 

[M's girl]

Traditions.... are funny things.....

 

[Eilan]

Seems like a wonderful way to get all the Darwin Award wannabes in one location.

 

[LadyJeanne]

No thanks. Just driving down the freeway is plenty of excitement and danger for me.

 

[midwestyankee]

No thanks. Just driving down the freeway is plenty of excitement and danger for me.

Spoken like a true Californian. In Chicago we don't have freeways. Every limited access highway in the region is a repository for fraud with a politician's name on it. Listen to a traffic report here and you won't here route numbers but expressway/tollway nicknames like the Ike, the Kennedy, the Bishop Ford etc.

[/threadjack]

Run with the bulls? I'd rather hang around the finish line to see what sorts of comely lasses show up to claim the shoeboxes full of what used to be their male friends.

 

[LadyJeanne]

Spoken like a true Californian. In Chicago we don't have freeways. Every limited access highway in the region is a repository for fraud with a politician's name on it. Listen to a traffic report here and you won't here route numbers but expressway/tollway nicknames like the Ike, the Kennedy, the Bishop Ford etc.

[/threadjack]

[cont'd threadjack]

Ah, I remember when the Bishop Ford was the Calumet...

...and it's even more dangerous here than in Cali...there's this thing called construction season here, where they narrow the lanes and put concrete barriers on either side for miles and miles...and still drive 65 despite the mandatory $375 fine for driving over 45 in construction zone! And the "Stay in Your Lane signs just make us giggle as we pass on the right and change lanes...

Bulls are nothin' compared to that!

 

[Straight-8]

Seems like a wonderful way to get all the Darwin Award wannabes in one location.

LOL. As one of the wouldbe runners I have to acknowledge that you may be right - but what can you expect from a guy with a rooster as his av? It was that or a bull!

But really, isn't living on the edge a little bit more alive?

 

[Eilan]

But really, isn't living on the edge a little bit more alive?

More like living on the point--of a bull's horn.

At one time, I might have been jumping right on that bandwagon. I'm becoming a fuddy-duddy in my approaching middle age.

 

[Straight-8]

I'm becoming a fuddy-duddy in my approaching middle age.

As my wife pointed out, unless I'm planning on living past 100, I am leaving 'middle age'. Maybe that's why I'm reverting!

 

[Munachi]

I might... Like, I wouldn't travel there to do it, but if I happened to be there at the time this takes place, and knew other people that participated (alone I might get scared after all), I probably would... It is a cultural experience, in a way... And it's something interesting to say I have participated in...

 

[bobsgirl]

A big price to pay for momentary thrills.

 

[Macayo]

I think I would like to try it once.

Thank you,
Macayo

 

[Quoll]

If I didn't have the faintest idea of how much damage they can do maybe, but I do, so no thank you, I'd rather go abseiling.

 

[EJFan]

...I'd rather go abseiling.

go what?

 

[Quoll]

go what?

Hanging off a rope and climbing down a cliff, not that I've done that either.

 

[Guest]

 

[Exciteher]

They do this in Mexico too. Being from the southwest, my best (and now oldest) friends were Mexican with family in Mexico... so I ended up being talked into doing this, and did it more than once.

It is not what it first appears. It is definately about thrill seeking, but not necessarily the mindless macho sort of thing you would expect.. although there is an element of that of course. It is more about quick wits and paying very close attention to what is going on. Injury is possable otherwise, although I never saw any major injurys or deaths myself. Saw a lot of close calls, especially with people that had a few too many drinks.

It is considered good luck (among other things..) to pet bulls, best done IMHO after they tire. But even when they seem a bit tired, they can explode unexpectedly. This pass time really builds awareness. When I got around to reading Hemingway the experience gave me an insight into why or how he became such a viceral and keen observer.

Depending on the town and how big the festival is, there are usually a few (like in Xico or San Luis) ... to many ( like in San Miguel ) women who participate. I found this an unexpected paradox in such a land of the machismo. I found these women to be such a delight, made it a point to meet them. They were feminine, compelling and arousing. Really friendly and fantastic dancers.. sigh!

Now that I am older and wiser the whole bloodsport aspect disturbs me, but it is not like a bullfight. In this the bulls have the advantage of power and size, the humans the advantage of agility and intelligence (well, maybe..lol!), so there is an equality of sorts. I suppose I would do it again if I thought I could get away with it at my age.

There is a "euphoria" of doing this and an "esprit de corps" among the participants, it is sort of hypnotic. I found it quite a lasting rush, and there is definately some primal sexual element and undertone to it, I think it contains a lot of metaphores. Not to mention the fact that the festivals that surround these events makes for a wild time. But with inattention, a slip or bad luck or too much to drink I suppose one's milage could radically vary...

 

[pleasteasme]

The only way I would participate is if I could use my surgical skills and rename it to "Running of the steers"

It would be much safer for all involved. Well, except for the bulls!

 

[sexualbeing]

No running of the bulls for me Thats freakin nuts

 

[M's girl]

If I didn't have the faintest idea of how much damage they can do maybe, but I do, so no thank you, I'd rather go abseiling.

Muuuuuuuch safer

If you want to know how many Australians survived?

Sorry Quoll

Like your new Av, the former one was just .... uhm.... too much

 

[Quoll]

Muuuuuuuch safer

If you want to know how many Australians survived?

Sorry Quoll

Like your new Av, the former one was just .... uhm.... too much

Hmm not pretty, but still at least most of the risk is in your own hands, rather than depending on how cranky the bulls are or how drunk the other runners are. 13 killed in Pamplona alone since 1924.

Aww, the weenie twins thought they would be very popular, guess there is no accounting for peoples taste.

 

[blue112]

Hoping to hit San Fermin next summer!

 

[Guest]