I’ve posted items recently on the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona. And while I don’t think there is anything very macho about that activity - unless by macho you mean pathetic - I admit it does have some cachet when compared with another event this week.
Toro de Cuerda!! In English, that is “Bull on rope.” Yes. A bull restrained by a rope is allowed to “run” through the mean streets of Grazalema, Spain, while folks hide on handy structures above him.
I’m not sure, but I believe the participants wear gore-proof clothing and have four-inch-thick safety glass between them and the animal, who for all I know may just be two guys in a bull costume.
Go ahead, try saying this in your most MACHO voice: “Oh, Si! I climbed above the tethered old arthritic bull who wears bifocal glasses!” Not exactly straight out of Hemingway, is it?
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People hold on to a window to avoid a bull during an event entitled ‘Toro de Cuerda’ (Bull on Rope) where a bull restrained by a rope is allowed to run through the streets in Grazalema, southern Spain July 21, 2008. REUTERS/Jon Nazca
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6 comments so far
Well, it seems very different from Sanfermines and running in front of the bulls, indeed.
- Posted by armstrongI think that Hemingway did a lot of good to this Spanish tradition of running “redbull”
Looks like Spain is breaking new ground in wind chime design these days.
- Posted by BandageI noticed the door has a CAGE around it. I wonder if that was a requirement so the owner could get liability insurance?!
- Posted by Dee TNice to see that unlike Pamplona, Grazalema allows for equal opportunity stupidity.
- Posted by CharleneAs a former resident of Pamplona, Spain (for 8 years until 2 weeks ago) I put it to you. You can not blame the city residents of Pamplona (most residents leave during the fiesta) for taking advantage of tourists. Here is a simple solution.. If there were no tourists, there would be no “running of the bulls” Even the “running of the nudes” before San Fermines brings in tourist money.
MOST small cities have a smaller bull (usually with tin cans over their horns but NOT wearing bifocals as you claim) and it’s a game of playing chicken with the bull. The bull is not hurt in Grazalema nor other cities.
Why don’t we work on eliminating bull riding and cattle roping before we worry about another culture. Oh I forgot.. we worry about other cultures like Iraq… smart move
You are mistaken, this bull is obviously NOT wearing bifocals. This bull is NOT moving very fast.
- Posted by BullrunnerBullrunner, I know that humour doesn’t always travel (especially when one is reading in a second language), but didn’t it even occur to you that bifocals on a bull was a satirical comment?
- Posted by Charlene