Running of the Bulls

I have logged some pics related to the Running of the Bulls Fiesta – The San Miguelada – but because of the crowds was not able to get close enough to it to actually take any pictures of bulls. Greg and I walked through the staging area early this morning and they were getting all set up for the event directly in front of the Paroquia in the Jardin.

This fiesta is unique to SMA in Mexico after the much larger fiesta of a similar kind in Spain which we often see pictures of on the box. It contributes substantially to the local city coffers as it attracts over 20,000 rich kids from Mexico City, Guadalahara, Monterey, etc., who spend the week-end in town and try to drink all the bars dry. There is actually a “Dry Law” in effect in SMA from Friday noon to Saturday noon but most have been smart enough to plan a few days ahead so have plenty of supplies.

They televise the event on local TV so I can confirm there actually were some bulls – nine to be exact. They are let out at intervals of about ten minutes into a crowd of about 1000 young men mostly with white shirts and red bandannas, some of whom are also sporting a variety of different capes “a la toreador”. The bulls were trucked in this morning and appear to be about two year olds. They have serious horns and typically come out of their chutes angry and at the charge. Most of them get at least one direct hit in the first few seconds. Some of the luckier ones mow down more than twenty before they begin to tier. The Red Cross volunteers are there however, to pick up the limp kids and cart them off for medical attention. The bulls have trouble getting good footing on the stone surface or they would be much more successful.

After a day and a half of anticipation it is all over in an hour – usually an hour later than forecast. The survivors then get down to some serious partying and the local publicans rip off a bundle with cover charges twice the normal for a Saturday night. Welcome to the San Miguelada! Ole! Ole!