Running With The Bulls

[Kerbouchard]

Has anyone been to Pamplona for the Running with the Bulls? I plan on going July 2011. If anyone has gone and could recommend a hotel, great bars, etc. I've been putting a folder together on this for a year or two but I have not talked to anyone personally. I don't know if I need to get reservations a few years in advance or not.

I have a few books and websites on it, but would like to hear from someone who has been.

Thanks!

 

[Napoleon]

I would book as far in advance as possible. Every year the parks are filled with people who sleep in them because they don't have a place to stay.

I slept in a car both nights. It kind of sucked balls, especially because I was solo and didn't speak/understand Spanish. And then the Basque separatists assassinated a hostage before the morning the first day, so they didn't even run.

Then the second day, the bulls ran like they had been pulled out of a glue factory. I like to say that they were moving like a St. Bernard on a hot summer day in Texas. They were barely moving faster than a walk.

Also, you will be up all night, you will watch the bulls at 8:00am, you will talk with some people, maybe get a bite to eat and then you will go to sleep until ~4:00pm. You will then get up, try to kill your hangover, grab a bite to eat, rehash the night, plan the coming one and most likely start drinking.

I would recommend a second nap in the 9:00pm-12:00am time slot. Then go for dinner about 12:30am/1:00am until ~3:00am and then hit the bars, discos, until ~7:30am when everyone starts filing into the street, drunk as skunks, to watch the bulls run at 8:00am.

You might also consider getting tickets to the bullfights one of the nights.

Living in Argentina, this schedule seems completely normal. ESPECIALLY during the summer.

Someone else will have to help you with bookings, restaurants, and the like. I've helped you all I can.

 

[Bernard]

My cousin ran with the bulls in 1994. He took a horn to the back that left a deep puncture wound. The horn almost broke the skin on the other side. Somehow, the horn managed to miss his spine, lungs, heart and other vital organs. He spent a week in a Spanish hospital (free heath care!!!). Recovered fully after a month or so.

The bull's name was Ton Ton.

Someone from the US embassy showed up at the hospital and told him to call his parents and let them know he was OK because the story was about to break in the US media.

In 1995, National Geographic ran a feature about Spain. A photo of my cousin about to rammed by Ton Ton was on a two page spread.

Later in 2005, an American was killed in similar circumstances. In his case, the bull's horn pierced something important he bled to death in a few minutes.

Have fun. I've heard it's a blast. Seriously. My cousin's friends were all back out on the course the next day.

Bernard

 

[Bernard]

I found this video from 1994: San Fermin

I'm not sure if this was shot on the same day my cousin was gored, but if you watch the video, they show a few runners and bulls sharing the same space at 3:08. This is the exact place on the path my cousin got nailed. If it's not him down there, it's a damn close facsimile.

Bernard

 

[Uninformed]

I have been 3 times. Book a hotel room in advance if you can afford it. A lot of people sleep at the parks but many people get robbed there as well. Generally they get drunk and pass out and someone takes their money.

It has gotten more crowded over the years and the crowds cause many more problems than the bulls. If people are in the way and the bulls are coming towards you, what do you do? Anyway, try to plan ahead. The first time I went, I was able to get to a place where I could jump a fence. A guy near me fell from the top of the fence flat onto his back. He said he was okay, but I would not be surprised if he fractured something. The next time I went I was a little more brave and hugged an inside wall. The bulls obviously can't turn that sharp and went outside of me. Of course, if there are others on that inside wall, you better hope that they don't keep you from getting out of the way.

BTW, I don't want to sound negative. I had a great time each time I went. All I am saying is be careful.

 

[dfw75201]

I went a few years ago. It's tough to get hotel rooms and yeah, a lot of people end up in the parks. I got lucky. Some guy picked me and a few people out of the crowd when we got of the train from San Sebastian. He offered us a place to stay and we got into a nice van and ended up on a cool apartment, centrally located. The owners had moved out their furniture and laid down a bunch of mattresses. We got keys and could come and go as we wanted. There were about 10 people staying there and it was pretty cheap. Mind you, this was no fancy hotel, but for those of us expecting to sleep in the park, it was heaven. And we all hung out together and had a blast. We asked why they picked us and the guy basically said we looked clean and responsible. So, if you are showing up with no options, look as nice as you can for a backpacker and you might get lucky this way. We learned that a lot of people do this. Of course, be careful and all that, but know that this route can be great.

You will enjoy the San Fermin's more than I can describe. The attitude of the people (sharing wine, singing, hugging) is infectuous. It's one of the coolest things I have done.

If you intend to actually run with the bulls, take the advice that we were given from the locals. Sleep the night before and don't show up drunk. They run early and many are tempted to just stay up and drink all night and do it. It is a dangerous thing, so get to bed the night before and have your wits about you. And, don't run for the corners!

Have a good time.

 

[71grad]

I have been three times. The first time , in '77, I actually ran the course. I saw some guy get pinned on one of the corners. It looked like he left a lot of important stuff on the wall. Since then I have joined the less adventurous on one of the balconies.
Book well ahead. It's as bad as Marde Gras.