So….there I was… Pamplona, Spain on June 10th, 2006. I had just spent the last three days in Madrid touring and enjoying my after DTS travels. Now, the real excitement was to begin. I arrived in Pamplona to take part in one of the most exciting and famous festivals in the world, San Fermin (El Encierro Del Torros); otherwise know as ‘the running of the bulls’. Tourist and locals were sporting their festival garb, the red bandanna around the neck, red sash around the waist, with a white shirt and pants.
Upon my arrival my good friends Will and Sara met me at the bus station. Fortunately, they had arrived from Barcelona a couple hours before me and were able to find us accommodation for a few days.
Originally, we had plans to sleep in a park, due to the overflow of tourist and drinking enthusiast from around the world that come just for the party. We were informed that all places would be full and prices would be outrageous, which proved true; although, for us Will and Sara found a flat that had been transformed into hostel specifically for this week. Sara bargained for us and got us a great deal.
Anyway, there were a few guys staying with us in the flat, Shawn a South African guy and David and Matt who were Australian. After settling in a bit Shawn offered to take us into town and give us the ‘run down’ on how things work. We heard his story of how he ran with the bulls that morning and how it is possible to actually run without ever seeing a bull....if you wanted. Although, we wanted to see a bull it was comforting to know that information.
After touring the town, we bought our ‘uniforms’ for the run at the local ‘flea’ market. It was then we knew we were committed. Our excitement mounted, as we discussed whether or not we should run with the Aussie guys in the morning or just watch and run the next day. It didn’t take long to agree that we wanted to run in the morning.
6:30 am
Time to get up! We need to be at the entry point into the run by 7:10, before they start closing the gates. Well, we made it in time and entered the town square, where the bulls run through. Our point of entry is about half of the full length of the run. The whole run takes about 3 minutes, and it takes the bulls half that time. So, yeah we thought this was a great starting point! We waited there with the other hundreds of people anticipating the first bang of the firework at 8:10 signalling the start of the run. We saw many people tired from partying all night, yet they were there to run also. We knew we had much better chances of survival than these guys.
8:00 am
Led by officials, everyone starts moving forward up the street. We still have 10 minutes before the actual start, but I guess some people want a huge head start. We followed the crowd about 100 feet and decided we would stop and wait for the first bang. We waited at the most famous corner of the run. Here when the bulls come around this corner they are moving so fast and the turn is too sharp, which causes their hoofs to slip on the cobblestone street, thus falling and slamming into the barricade. This is potentially the most dangerous spot in the run because bulls get separated and can 'freak out' trying to get back with the herd.
8:10am
The first bang sounds echoing through the whole town! People start running, though the bulls have not yet been released. Will, myself and the Aussie guys decide to wait for the second bang which signals that the bulls are running.
What seems like 30-seconds later
The second fire sounds!! We know the bulls are out and running. Will and I start a slow jog toward the stadium, looking back...wondering should we wait a little longer?? Let the bulls get closer?? We want to see a bull, but we want to live?? We keep looking back, jogging at a slow pace.
What seems like 20 seconds later
Looking behind me, faces are frantic, panicked and people are running fast. Mmmhh, maybe we should run faster now? ….. No bulls in sight, but we know they are coming. It is at this point I hear a lady yelling from a balcony above..... "theeee'rrreeee coming!" YEP, that's all the affirmation I need to get myself moving!!! I looked forward running as fast as I could, with no chance of escape. The shops and stores lining the street do not allow any escape option when you are on the last half stretch of the run, heading toward the arena. I ran. I ran with intensity. I ran looking behind me. I ran looking forward. I ran with large steps. I ran with small steps. I ran with my hands out in front of me in an attempt direct people out of my way. All the while, dodging and jumping over people who were no longer standing (people were falling in groups, like dominoes) I think to myself….I will not fall. At this point it is every man for himself. NO JOKE! The bulls are coming and people's mindsets are about survival. I have no clue where Will at this point, but I'm sure he is ok.
(Honestly, I never expected to be in this position.....this close to the bulls, with no where to go. I thought for sure I could run in front of them the whole time, BUT, that didn’t happen.)
My heart is pounding.... and the intensity, yelling, cheering, the sound of footsteps, and hoofs are escalating! I turn around to see a herd of bulls headed in my direction. I think to myself....WOW! They are right there, those horns are huge and they are going to pass me!! What am I doing?? I look to the right and think for a split second...climb a drain pipe??? Nope not possible. So, I move to the right as much as possible and to my surprise the first 5 or 6 bulls run safely pass me. Praise the Lord!
Around 50 yards to go
I keep moving, shocked that I was unscathed. I realise that there are a few more bulls coming that were released after the 2nd bang. I keep my eyes open for them, while heading toward the arena. I'm passing guys who are holding new injuries and their faces show signs of pain from falling.
Now, I’m a little concerned about the last turn which narrows before it heads into the arena. I don't want to enter through the narrow passage at the same time as the remaining bulls do, but I don’t want to wait around to see where the bulls are or to take the chance of them passing me again. So, just go for it! I ran fast and entered triumphantly into the stadium. As I entered, I listened and soaked up all the cheering spectators there to watch the event. I had made it. I ran with the bulls! It was better than I could have imagined. I felt so alive!
I found Will and the Aussie guys and we traded our stories as we stood around the arena.
What an experience. This was definitely one of the best things I could have ever done. Talk about tasting life…..
Ohh, yeah I think Will and I were the only guys to ever run with the bulls in a pair of sandals.
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