Torro Torro!

Lets just say that Julie Kaplan would be very disappointed in my adventure to The Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza yesterday. After a peaceful and beautiful day in Cádiz, I decided that I would partake in one of Sevilla's most historic and culturally famous events...attending a bullfight. I was a little wary about going after hearing that a bull nearly ran into the crowd at the last fight. So I made sure, as Britney Caughell warned, not to sit in the first five rows. I had heard mixed reviews about attending a bullfight as some people in Spain think that it should actually be abolished. But I figured, hey, I'm here for three months I should try to experience as much of the culture as I should. Right?

WRONG. Well...to be fair, the opening ceremonies or what have you were very beautiful and elegant. With horses adorned in costumes and various mini parades, the matadors processed around the ring. The arena itself is very cool too. It is quintessential Spain and you really do get a full cultural experience from buying the ticket to the vendors before you enter the arena. You almost feel like you're in a movie sitting there because who in their right mind actually attends a bullfight!? As the bullfight begins, the main matador gets on his knees and prepares to face the bull as it comes charging at him... crazy. The first part is kind of cool where he's doing what you see in movies and videos where he "dodges" the bull which is called torero using the purple and yellow cape. I can see that it requires skill and such to be able to do that, so then just leave it at that! Or train the bull to do tricks! Don't do the other two sections... I'm not going to explain them because I simply don't want to recap them.. but if you're interested in learning about the rest you can click here to read up a bit. Kelsey said a Spaniard explained to her "bulls are one of the only animals that are given the opportunity to challenge his killer." True, BUT to me it was very gruesome and sad.

While I can't say that I enjoyed myself at the bullfight, I'm glad I went because even if people told me about it I wouldn't have gotten then full effect. It truly was a cultural experience and if I were back at Elon I'm sure I could have used that as a Cultural Event for a general ed class :). On a lighter and brighter note... I am now the proud owner...well renter... of a Sevici bicycle! Sevici is a bike rental system in Seville that follows the same model as many others around Europe. But basically there are many Sevici stations around the city and for a certain fee per week (or you can buy a yearly pass) you can rent a bike. You insert your card at the paystation and you select which bike you want and you go from station to station renting bikes. You can return/take a bike at any station around the city and you pay 1 euro per/hour (plus the weekly fee) in order to ride the bike. BUT if you use the bike for under 30 minutes you don't have to pay the 1 euro! So basically if you're gonna be riding for more than 30 minutes, change your bike at a different station before 30 minutes and you ride for free. Just keep switching out your bike! There's a Sevici station right by my street, by the CIEE study center and at the University! They're all over! So I'm all set!

L'chaim to not being the bull in the ring, to riding bikes for 29 minutes and to cultural experiences in Spain!

Hasta que volvamos a ver!

If you want to see some more pics from the bullfight as well as other "shots of Sevilla" click HERE!