Disappointment writ large on our faces!
12,500 Tickets to the Bullfight at the
PLAZA de TOROS , SEVILLE
all SOLD out !!!
How could one visit SPAIN and NOT witness a MATCH between MAN and the mighty BULL ??!
No no Amruta, it’s not like what it appears!
BULLFIGHTING in Spain is NOT considered a BLOOD SPORT , rather an ART FORM and very much part of Spanish culture.
Fortunately ,just like outside Bombay Talkies one could earlier procure cinema tickets at blackmarket rates, friendly Spanish touts cheerfuly SOLD us tickets at TWICE the original price,
no doubt for the very BEST seats,
the ones closest to the ring and in the shade! Sol tickets or tickets in the Sun are much cheaper!
You sure were DESPERATE Twinny !
Agreed Amruta!
But then ,when ever would I see a LIVE bullfight ??
Bullfights have been banned in Barcelona since 2010 and animal activist laws may soon do the same in Madrid!
You can see when you visit south of France , Peru ,Cuba …….Twinny !
At least THERE they will NOT fight till the bull drops down DEAD . They will stop short at harassing . No KILLING of the bull!
Shhhhhu Amruta !
It’s not like I am condoning this spectacle . I am just a curious spectator- LET me see!
YELLOW OCHRE is the colour of Seville ,the welcoming ,romantic CAPITAL of ANDALUSIA , home to the Muslim ALCAZAR castle , the gorgeous Gothic CATHEDRAL, also where legendary explorer Christopher Columbus was buried….
YELLOW OCHRE is the colour of the centre of the bullfighting arena!
GRAND is the stage!
Dressed fashionably as though going to the Derby and armed with cushions to sit on the stony steps of this huge arena established since 1700, the heady smell of cigars filling the air , PASSIONATE Spaniards wait for the DRAMA to unfold.
And it does!
The orchestra begins to play, the intrepid matador enters with a prayer on his lips, places his hat on the ground at the centre of the ring
And Ole’
Here charges in the angry 😡 bull!
First , PICADORS try to exhaust the bull with their RED capes ! I learn later the capes need NOT be red, bulls are colourblind!
Just the MOVEMENT of the cloaks is enough to incense them !
Hither thither the maddened animal runs, sinewy despite his bulk !
In come the blindfolded horses , with a HORSEMAN who expertly spears the back of the charging bull …..
…….followed by the picadors
thrusting 2 darts at a time on either side of the bulls spine!
2 this side , 2 that side , 2 back on same side as first!
A total of 6!
The poor ,poor animal already is at a disadvantage, exhausted and bleeding, yet
valiantly fighting on .
The crowd raises white handkerchiefs in appreciation of the brave bulls efforts!
Now struts in the matador .
Ole’! Ole’! Shout the crowd!
Gracefully pirouetting and swirling his cape just inches away from the bulls horns ( the hapless creatures ONLY defence and attack weapon) the matador in a series of well calculated moves majestically spears the heart .
Down falls the doomed animal
to
be carried away by a train of horses in a trice!
Ole’ Ole’!!
How GRUESOME is this art Twinny !!
Before you become so judgemental Amruta,
consider THIS …….The bull sent in to fight has lounged on a lush bull ranch ,been fed and cared for , for 5 years.
The one that is killed for its meat is just a baby , a bull calf , only 18 months old!
Now WHICH is better?
To die a death in glory,
Or prematurely in the slaughter house?
OMG Twinny!
I can’t say which is worse !
If IBERIAN STEAK were not so delicious , I would have turned vegetarian long ,long ago!
Alas!
Stop whimpering Amruta !
Am off to Barcelona !
Have to ” catch a bull…
……by its horns ”
…… and procure RINGSIDE tickets for the football match at CAMP NOU , BARCELONA !
At COST PRICE !
NOT at ‘ ANY COST !’
….even if MESSI is playing! 😌
OLE’ !
A Second Learning 
Super as usual.
I think the comparison to cattle raised for meat is a master stroke. I think it’s the humane death ie without stress, of farm bred animals by electrical bolt, that is touted as the difference.
Interesting insightful piece👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
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Thankyou Ashish!
Super to hear from you !
Yes .. one comes away with mixed feelings..
To follow traditions
Or to bunk it?!
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Odyssey of Andaulasia.Raised many fav memories except for the bull fight .Too gory for me. Super writing skills
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Thankyou Mads!
Yes Seville is otherwise super laid back , tolerant and welcoming !
The 1992 exposition did a lot to put it on the world map!
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Bunk it ma! Too much this is! Love you my mama bull!
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Trust you Sona !
I had a pretty good run with your last 3 comments !
But this time you just haha couldn’t hold back
Nor me neither!
Love you babes!
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Doctor..it’s narrated so well .. I could feel I am in your place.. Excitement to watch and at the same time it a feeling of disgust to see the bull bleed.. By the way happy to you had a wonderful time on your trip and thanks for sharing your Moments with us..
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Deepika you are an absolute darling !
Thankyou !
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Nice narration. However, after reading it, i feel relieved that i didnt visit the bull fight during my Spanish sojourn last year. Quite gory, isnt it?
Seville has much better sights than these. Awaiting your next blog on the same….
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Yes..Seville has plenty of surprises.. flamenco , romance, rose day ,pottery
And yum sea food!
Will detail soon
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When we accept that we are not owners of animals and treat them as equal inhabitants of Mother Earth, we will have the right to call our selves human……….shameful and unacceptable by any civilised being.
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Yes.. life is like that !
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How is that for a quick reply?!
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Great write up! Like you said bull fighting is part of Spanish culture. Hope people let culture be!
I like your comparison with farm raised animals. Interesting. Never thought of it this way!
Maybe one day we will ban cricket. Maybe when the grass that we trample while chasing a ball hit by a bat made of a willow wood screams. When the willow tree cries at the pain of being cut.
Why be partial to one form of life!!!
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Wow Avi!
Like what you have written a lot !
Absolutely bang on !
Bravo for traversing the road less travelled by and presenting freely your point of view!
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I can’t understand how killing for fun can be legal and have societal sanction.
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It’s part of generations of culture !
Started with Gladiators
In Rome..
Fights between man and man, man and animal
Tests to prove strength and forbearance …
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Could simply feel the emotions and expressions of the moment.
While reading, we get the insight of a different culture.
Though have a mixed feeling.
These things also happen in some Indian places.
Fear factor.
But this is life.
At the end, have to accept it….
The bull….. getting killed.
The best part of narration was to die in glory or in a slaughter house.
Like to die on battlefield, gloriously or else….
Sounds like dialogues spoken by ancient Kings.
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Thankyou so much Geeta !
Happy you read !
History teaches us so much , yet always more to learn !
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Fabulous! Felt i was there watching ring side…what an experience!
Also amazing bulls on display…where was that?
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These are absolutely stunning!
They are made by a Delhi based artist Seema Kohli,
presently displayed at Tao Art Gallery ( Worli)
Superlative paintings too!
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