A bit delayed but here a few pictures from San Fermin. I didn't take many as I don't want to be one of those people who can't remember actually being there as they were too busy taking photographs. But these photos do demonstrate the main theme of San Fermin, people everywhere! Everywhere!
Pamplona's population is around 200,000 but for 9 days it becomes 1,200,000. Tent villages are put up around the city but its not enough and you find people asleep everywhere. Parks, bus stops, benches, anything surronding a tree. The streets are full everywhere and the bars are rammed. The biggest foreign groups were the Americans and the Australians and it was strange to walk around Pamplona and hear English everywhere.
What I really liked about it was that there was little organised entertainment. With the exception of fireworks, a few processions and some local bands people were left to entertain themselves. This means people mingle together and can enjoy the company of friends. Some people invent more creative ways of keeping themselves busy, my favourite example being jumping of a 15ft statue and relying on the crowd to catch you. From what I saw they always did. It is probably the greatest credit to the whole event that everyone is just there to have fun with everyone. I didn't see any trouble or hassle, everyone was so relaxed. There was room for the hard drinkers and there was room for families to stroll with young children.
Due to the circumstances I couldn't get to close to the bull run. You need to be pretty dedicated! Normally there are nine occasions but unfortunately I had to fly, so next time. I was pretty disappointed but you realise that actually its only quite a small part of the entire festival. Next time.
My highlight was the opening when people cram into the square outside the town hall and lift the red neckerchief into the air, screaming and shouting to fire the fireworks to signify the start of the festival. The balconies above were crammed and they threw buckets of water down onto the crowd. Wine is flying everywhere through the air and within five minutes of the start the white everyone is wearing is filthy. Wearing a neckerchief legitimately has to be an obvious highlight. Then your left to get on with your drinking which can be as messy or civilized as you like.
Pamplona's population is around 200,000 but for 9 days it becomes 1,200,000. Tent villages are put up around the city but its not enough and you find people asleep everywhere. Parks, bus stops, benches, anything surronding a tree. The streets are full everywhere and the bars are rammed. The biggest foreign groups were the Americans and the Australians and it was strange to walk around Pamplona and hear English everywhere.
What I really liked about it was that there was little organised entertainment. With the exception of fireworks, a few processions and some local bands people were left to entertain themselves. This means people mingle together and can enjoy the company of friends. Some people invent more creative ways of keeping themselves busy, my favourite example being jumping of a 15ft statue and relying on the crowd to catch you. From what I saw they always did. It is probably the greatest credit to the whole event that everyone is just there to have fun with everyone. I didn't see any trouble or hassle, everyone was so relaxed. There was room for the hard drinkers and there was room for families to stroll with young children.
Due to the circumstances I couldn't get to close to the bull run. You need to be pretty dedicated! Normally there are nine occasions but unfortunately I had to fly, so next time. I was pretty disappointed but you realise that actually its only quite a small part of the entire festival. Next time.
My highlight was the opening when people cram into the square outside the town hall and lift the red neckerchief into the air, screaming and shouting to fire the fireworks to signify the start of the festival. The balconies above were crammed and they threw buckets of water down onto the crowd. Wine is flying everywhere through the air and within five minutes of the start the white everyone is wearing is filthy. Wearing a neckerchief legitimately has to be an obvious highlight. Then your left to get on with your drinking which can be as messy or civilized as you like.
Hopefully when I collect some more photos I can put up some more interesting ones!
love love love x
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