Rejones (Bullfights on Horseback)

One day about a month or two ago, my tutor and I were chatting about bullfighting here in Spain.  I told him I wasn't really interested in seeing one, but he thought that since I like horses I might enjoy seeing one in which the bullfighter (rejoneador) is on horseback.  We watched a few videos and later, after some more thought, I bought tickets for May 12.  I was excited/nervous going into it, but the best of the best come to Madrid during the San Isidro festival so it seemed like a good time to go.

I really enjoyed watching the horses and the riders - they were incredible.  But, I could have lived without seeing the bulls go through the process of being killed though, you know?  So, I left the ring with mixed emotions, given the opportunity I would probably go again though.

If you would like to see some of the highlights, check out this video on Canal Plus.  My opinion is that there's not anything particularly shocking in there, but it is a bullfight, so think that over before viewing.  There were three rejoneadores, and each one fought two bulls over the course of the evening.  The biggest honor for a bullfighter is to be carried through the Puerta Grande (big door) after the fights.  Two of them were honored as such on Saturday night, the first ones of the San Isidro festival.

This can be a big topic in Spain as there are three viewpoints to it:  those who love the tradition and alleged beauty of the contest, those who hate the alleged cruelty, and that who don't really care either way.  So, it has served for some interesting discussions.

Las Ventas bullfighting ring

A few of the horses getting ready.

They sold out of tickets.  There are a month's worth of bullfights during the San Isidro festival.
Only two of those are rejones, so apparently they're pretty popular?

It's amazing how these horses will go face to face with those bulls...

I mean, can you believe that?  Any horse I've been on will cheerfully get away from bulls
as quickly as possible.

When a bullfighter does a really good job, the crowd
waves white scarves (or something white) and he can be awarded
either one or both of the bull's ears.  Then he basically
takes a victory lap and people throw flowers, scarves, fans, hats, etc.

Everyone heading out on the town afterwards.

Volunteer Plants

I decided not to buy any plants this spring since I'll be in the U.S. on home assignment for a decent sized chunk of the summer.  But, I am finding it exciting that a few from last year decided to come back!

Baby mint plants!!!

Orange flowers

Clear Skies

So, it pretty much rained the whole month of April.  Then we had kind of a transition type of week as far as weather goes, but the clouds have mostly receded and the temperatures are climbing.  Tough to believe that over the course of about a week ago I went from wearing layers and shivering pitifully to sweating and trying to stay in the shade :).

You never know what will happen when buying groceries

About a week and a half ago I was out purchasing some groceries when I noticed that there were a lot of police around diverting traffic and such.  That, of course, caused me to wonder what was going on.  It was kind of a strange time of day for a strike, so I didn't think that was it.  Regardless, I decided to continue my grocery shopping while keeping an eye out.  So, I continued on to the pollería (the store where you buy all kinds of poultry meat).  After I left, I heard music nearby, so I had to investigate.

There was a drumline marching through the neighborhood.  Honestly.  This city is crazy sometimes, which is one of the reasons I love it :).

So close!

We are in the midst of holidays here in Madrid.  Yesterday was Labor Day and today is May 2 (Dos de Mayo).  Today is significant in Madrid because on May 2, 1808 the people rose up against the French forces that were occupying the city.  I'll let you read the history of that here on Wikipedia, if you would like :).

Also kind of amazing is that in one month, I'll be on a plane headed to the U.S. for home assignment!  That came quick, didn't it?  I'm really, really excited to see everyone and I have been working on a list of places I want to eat at (no one is surprised by that right?), but I actually think it will be tough to be away from Madrid for eight weeks.  On one hand, that's an encouraging place to be at, on the other hand - it's real strange to think that living here is basically my new normal, and I kind of like it.

So, I'll be doing my best to make the most of the next month :).  Here's what's coming up!

• We have a new strategic plan for the next six months, so it will be neat to see how God works through that!
• On Thursday, I get to have a root canal.  That's not fun obviously, and I'm a bit irritated that it couldn't have waited until I got home and could go to my own dentist.  But, these things are best taken care of right away.  So, would appreciate your prayers as I'm kind of nervous.  And since my dentist usually reads this blog :) and might be wondering, it's the upper left incisor - number 10, I think...  I'll come in for a cleaning when I'm in Lincoln so you can check out the Spanish dental work :).
• If the weather is good this weekend (it's been chilly and raining recently), one of my language partners and I are going to check out the climbing wall on campus.  I got to climb a little when I was in Málaga (pics below), and really enjoyed it.  So, there's a few of us on the team that might try and plug into the climbing community here.
• And my birthday is next Friday!  Hmm, I should think about how to celebrate that...
• On May 12, I'll head to my first bullfight.  It's actually a rejón, which is when the bullfighter is on horseback.  I'm not sure what I'll think about this, but my tutor was telling me about it and allegedly the best bullfighters are in Madrid during the festival of San Isidro, so it's as a good a time as any to check it out.  Vamos a ver (we'll see).
• On May 20, I'm going to a sushi making class!  One of my language exchange partners likes to cook, so we exchange recipes from time to time.  But, I'm always looking for more 'foodies' to hang out with.
• June 2 - fly to Denver and give my folks a huge hug :).