It is true that you haven’t been to Spain if you haven’t seen the Corrida. It is the famous performance fight between a man and a bull that always ends in one and the same way – the bull dies. It is awfully complicated to comprehend the actual purpose in this, but the massive crowds that gather and the tradition lasting for many years, insist us to believe that some kind of purpose does actually exist. And in Pamplona, the Spanish town it is not just about the actual bull fight. The viewers want a piece of the action too!

The tradition of Pamplona is to let the bull run loose through the town streets for about half a mile before reaching the arena where he would face the professional fighter...for the last time. Citizens, dressed in white and with a red waistband and neckerchief run along with the bull. Despite it is illegal and extremely dangerous, many are trying to touch the animal as they think it brings good luck.

Ooops, wrong camera man place

Needless to say, such events usually bring a lot of bad luck instead. Every year the runners get injured and more rarely – killed. The last one of the least fortunate was 22 years old American tourist who was gored and tossed 23 feet in the air by a bull weighing about half a tonne.

This year’s festival was no exception. Again, one American person and many more of his Spanish counterparts were severely injured. One man was killed during the bull run by falling off the wall, surrounding the old town. In total, 27 people were hurt in the festival that will only end in July 14th.

So, where is the sense in all this, again? Yes, the adrenaline rush, created by the noise of a huge and furious animal chasing you is obvious. Yes, the tradition lasts for centuries, but aren’t we in the 21st one of them yet? One would think the blood-thirsty gladiator days are over, but there you go - mankind still loves to preserve its somewhat nasty heritage...

A woman who needs attention...

By The W