Torro!

We left Bordeaux this morning to make our way to Pampalona (famous for its running of the bulls festival  which is in July-35 day from  now).On route we stopped off in a town called Biarritz (surfing town). Trent you would be so disappointed with the  waves here mate -there are hardly any and not much to try and surf but it was a beautiful town!

It's just north of Spain, almost at the border. Brandon and I had lunch at a cafe on the beach which was very lovely. The waiter was so friendly and between Brandon's  french and his smiggen of English we managed to get exactly  what we thought we were ordering.

But I must tell you that we met up with  the Embassador of Ethilia, small country  near Ethiopia. So even though we were in Bordeaux we were learning all about Africa. Jim you may have been there-apparently Australia  has much to do with mining there. Couldn't  believe  that the country only reached independence  in the 90's as it was an Italian colony.

So back to Biarritz, it dates back to the 12th century and it was a whaling town.  In 1854 Princess Eugeni who was married to Nepoleon the 3rd built a palace on the beach of Biarritz and as a result royalty would visit this town. Think French-style Kiama with a palace.

After world war 2 many  of the American troops spent 6 months in Biarritz attending university as the general  felt that this would be an easier transition for the soldiers than going straight back to America. After the 6 months they would then continue their studies in the USA. Buildings along the coast line were turned in to universities.

So Spain is still a constitutional  monarchy under King Phillipe. There are over 360 festivals  (a festival  for each day of the year)and each day of the year is dedicated to a different  Saint. The Spanish  have at least one thing in common with the Egyptians  and that is that everyday is dedicated to a saint or a god. Spanish spend 10 % of their salary on betting and buying lotto tickets the very done thing here. The money gained from lotto in Spain goes to a NGO supporting visually impaired people and the people selling the lotto tickets are often blind/visually  impaired.

Onwards to Pampalona.
It was discovered by General Pompey and due to the threats  of invaders the city is surrounded by walls (like a giant fortress). Up untill the1920's the French gate (drawbridge) entering the city was closed at night. Pampalona (Iruña as known by the basque locals) is famous for  the running  of the bulls festival and it was frequented  9 times by Ernist Hemingway. He wrote about the  town in one of his novals as well as Cafe Iruña which is on the main square. Iruña  has a population  of 200 000 people.

We took a guided walk through the town along the path the bulls would  follow, as well as admiring the view, streets and cathedral. With the running of the bulls, 12 bulls run each day for 8 days whilst the festival is on. 6 Bulls, the black aggressive bulls and 6  steers- 6 gelded bulls run the  length of the steets to the bull ring which all up is under 2km. The 6 black bulls remain in the bull ring to fight and the 6 steers are taken back to  run with the next 6 bulls the following day.The steers help to guide the fighting bulls into the bull ring. So far only 15 people have died in the history of the running of the bulls in Pamplona.

We met an innovative schizophrenic chap at the French gate  to the city blowing on his bugal and wearing a medival costume. His shield was a paella pan and his swords made from wood and duck tape. He was pointing to the draw bridge and pointing out parts of the gate. It became interesting  when it was translated that he lived in the time period of King Charles who ruled Pampalona. Nope not orientated to time, place or person- cognitive testing complete- diagnosis- happy delusioned knight.

People make pilgrimage to the Cathedral in Pamplona and the pilgrams follow a path  with markers that have many rays ending at one point. This symbol means that people come from all over to meet at one single point- the cathedral.

Currently the festival celebrating  rose wine  is currently on and so pink balloons and banners  frame tapas bars and streets.

After our tour  of the city we sat down to the best  tapas and Sangaria we have ever had.

For all you wine drinkers you can get a good glass of wine for €1.60. The cheapest drink on the menu is the wine. So for budget reasons of course, Brandon and I have had to have a  glass of vino with each meal.

We've had some trouble getting photos uploaded due some a slightly dodgy wifi connection so check back in a day or so for some photo additions to this post.

Off to Madrid tomorrow.

Cheers,

Nicolette.