Running of the Bulls and More!

I visited Pamplona where the seven day long San Fermin Festival is held and includes the famous "Running of the Bulls."  I was not brave enough to actually be chased by these beasts but I was very curious and wanted to hear all about it. 

My travel guide, Maitane, informed me that the Encierro (Running of the Bulls) is a yearly event that involves running in front of a small group of bulls that have been let loose, on a course through sectioned off streets of the town.   Runners are dressed in white and red.

Men being chased by the bulls

Among the rules to take part in the event are that participants must be at least 18 years old, run in the same direction as the bulls, not incite the bulls and not be under the influence of alcohol.  The length of the run is approximately 830m and at the end of the run the bulls enter the main bullring where they are featured in an afternoon bullfight. 

Bulls entering the main bullring for the final bullfight

Spain stages more than 3,000 festivals each year but the seven days of bull running are the favourite in terms of spectacle and excitement. 

Another festival which would be awesome to witness is the
"La Tomatina" - Valencia Tomato Fight Festival.  Every year around 30,000 people descent on the Spanish town of Bunol to throw more than 240,000 pounds of tomatoes at each other.