Dear Readers,

Last week I wrote about Ernest Hemingway and his love for Spain, especially bull-fighting. This week I want to focus on this quintessential Spanish cultural event and my experiences with bull-fighting.

Although I’ve never been to the famous encierro, or Running of the Bulls, in Pamplona, I have been to many bull fights all throughout Spain as well as in Colombia, South America. A bull fight is quite a shocking experience the first time you attend, but after several fights you begin to realize the cultural significance behind them- especially because of the passionate locals in attendance and the family traditions of the toreros. Because of all of the emotions, I have always thought that going to a bullfight is a portrait photographer’s heaven. Looking at all of the passionate faces of both the young and the old is something I’ll never forget.

I want to focus this blog specifically on the encierro, or The Running Of The Bulls. It is the single most characteristic event of the Fiesta of San Fermin in Pamplona, which is within the region of Navarra. The Running of the Bulls takes place in July and gives the Fiesta world-wide fame. The encierro consists largely of young men (although women may also run) who run in front of the bulls and lead them into the Plaza de Toros. The run usually lasts from two to three minutes. The length is about half a mile and participants do not have to sign up anywhere to take part; you just enter into the run at your street of choice and have as much fun as you can stand!

The encierro began as part of the process of moving bulls from the edge of Pamplona to the bullring. During the mid 1800s, runners began to join the herd on their journey. Now it is a world famous event attended by both Spaniards and internationals alike.

Many runners who gather at the bottom of Santo Domingo, the start of the run, crowd together and sing a homily to the image of San Fermin, is placed in a niche on the wall decorated with the scarves of the peñas. The song goes like this:

“A San Fermín pedimos, por ser nuestro patrón, nos guíe en el encierro dándonos su bendición.”

(”We ask San Fermín, as our Patron, to guide us through the Bull Run and give us his blessing.”)

A rocket goes off at the moment the bulls are let out into the street. A second rocket goes off to let everyone know that all the bulls are now in the street. Then the bull running starts! A third rocket goes off to signal that all the bulls have arrived inside the ring and a fourth and final rocket is sent off when all the bulls have been safely led into their pens.

After reading several blogs of people who attended the Run, the best strategy I found on how to run is to start off slowly when the bulls are still a good distance behind, and as they draw nearer start running as fast as you can. Before they get too close, hang in near them for a short time, and then get out of the way as cleanly as possible. Be careful not to cross the paths of other runners. Look for a gap in the fence to slip through or jump over, or a space against the wall of the street.

Each section of the run has its own particular characteristics, and every year many runners choose to run the same section. For example, in Santo Domingo the run is very fast and risky while at the corner of Mercaderes, in Estafeta the path is much slower and clearer.

I might attend the encierro this year just to experience one of the most widely celebrated Spanish festivals in the world. However,  in the meantime I’ll keep writing this blog from New York City.

Speaking of NYC, here are some Spanish Vines events updates:

Tonight the region of Navarra is hosting an event at the W Hotel named “The Kingdom of Navarra.” They’re featuring Seventeen Wine & Olive Oil Stations Showcasing the Region, as well as 
the first 3D Screening of the Running with the Bulls (“Encierro”)
& Pintxos (tapas) by Michelin Star Navarran Chef
David Yarnoz, “Restaurante El Molino de Urdániz.” I’ll be taking some video footage and keeping you posted via Twitter. Please follow me at www.twitter.com/spanishvines to get my updates! I’ll look at this “encierro” as a warm up to July…

And for the tip of the week: use only Himalayan Salt- it’s the purest and most healthy salt on Earth. Check out this video for a reference… http://products.mercola.com/himalayan-salt/

I’ve been using only Himalayan Salt for 3 months now and definitely notice a difference in my well-being.

Entender es Disfrutar!

-Josh