The running of the bulls.

[James Curry]

Did nearly 3 years on the SCOTT Methanol carriers, Bibby managed them. Nice little ships we had Trini crew. Talk about laid back!!! well think I could refer to them in other words. I ended up as the only white engineer onboard, and the oldman was the only other white person.
Carnival was the last straw we anchored and that was it only two left onboard oldman & myself. The locals buggered off not to be seen again for 5 days.
I walked off when we got alongside. The oldman followed me 2 days later.
I also went there with BP on the LNG carriers, thankfully we had no Trini crew, Filipinos deck and engine.

[happy daze john in oz]

Bull fighting, bit like Bear batting or Cock fighting.
The poor bloody bull has little chance of winning.
It is a rather sad sport to my mind, even a bit barbaric.

[James Curry]

The Spanish have a wicked streak in them. Not that long ago there was a ritual of throwing a live goat from the Bellfry of the church.
It was part of the festival that coincided with the commemoration of Saint Vincent the Martyr.
Thankfully the barbaric practice has now been banned since 2000 due mainly to the pressure of animal rights activists.

As for bull fighting just a bunch of pansies prancing around like a load of fairies.
Now and then a bull catches these so cruel aholes.

[Doc Vernon]

I dont think as said that most of the Crowds are a Bunch of Pansies! It takes a wee bit more to be able to Run in that Bull Race! I am sure many are hurt not only one or two!
Its like saying that the Rodeo in the USA is for Pansies all dressed up and riding Bulls! No way Hosay!
Its their Sport and is loved by all there!

They have a great History !

History of Spain - Wikipedia

[James Curry]

Doc you have misunderstood my post . I am commenting on Bull Fighting not Bull running.B055_Picadores_Stierkampf_Picadores_Stierkampf.jpg32f37705ee2c7c514acd2ae98cf22ae6.jpgbullfighting.jpga-bull-passes-by-spanish-bullfighter.jpg

[Doc Vernon]

Thanks James however even Bull Fighting i feel need quite some Courage to stand in front of some Raging Animal, ready to do you in! LOL
I certainly wouldn't try it, and i have tried a few silly things in life! Eeeeek!!
Cheers

[James Curry]

True I would not try it either, for a start do not think they would make them fancy suits in my size.
When I lived in Spain for a few years I was persuaded to go watch a bull fight.
I got up and walked out. It was sickening to watch those animals be subjected to that kind of barbaric treatment.
I am against all blood sports. Well not all I love my rugby

[Johnny Kieran]

The bit I find worse is the picadors, when they keep sticking those picks into the bull to wind it up. It probably weakens the bull a bit to help the Matador kill it easier.

[Rodney Mills]

The picadors' job is to lower the head of the bull, that's why they pic in the shoulder muscle. About 5 inches from the point of the pic is a guard t0 iimit the depth of the stab. the assistants, Banderillas, wave larger capes at the bull so the matador can evaluate the moves of the bull, i.e. does he toss to the right or the left, etc.. The bullfight is choreographed in three acts and the matador is evaluated by his grace and courage, how close to the bull he stands as the bull passes and his courage when he dominates the bull into total submission. Many matadors will walk up to the dominated bull pat it on the head or kneel in front of it or even kneel and take pass from the charging bull. and a certain pass is one that leads the charging bull all around his body 360 degrees in one continuous charge. The reward to a matador is a walk around the arena thanking the fans for their adulations and the judges reward him with trophies such as a bull's ear, two ears, a tail, or tail and ears. Many of the female fans toss their panties into the arena.

I have seen a number of fights as I had two doctor friends who lived in Tejuana, Mexico and my wife and I would visit them, my wife would stay at their home with the wives while the men went to the bullfights, so of course I went with them. When they came to Los Angeles to visit us, I took them to watch the Dodgers, L.A.s baseball team play so it became a traditional thing. I cannot say I was a fan of the bullfights, but I got to understand it. One of the doctors was a partner in a farm that raised the fighting bulls. I can ride fairly good, both English and Western style and the bulls are relatively passive when in a herd. But I must admit a certain part of my anatomy twitched, and heart rate accelerated when riding near a heard of steers with fighting bulls there. So, I've seen the bulls from beginning to end. I've also seen the matador injured and I've seen them gored and refuse to leave the arena but came back to finish the bull. with blood staining his ripped 'suit of lights.

I also saw one fight in Spain, that's when my wife booed. I went mainly to buy a bunch of programs as souvenir gifts to my Mexican friends

Cheers, Rodney

[j.sabourn]

Nearest I got to a bullfight Rodney was Tommy Steele singing Little White Bull. Doesn’t appeal to me at all , but as they say “ one man’s drink another man’s poison”. One thing I do agree with though going back into American folklore ,steers and horses and Rustlers , they used to hang rustlers a good old fashioned law , pity they don’t still do it. Cheers JS