More Insanity

Aside from the men competing in the Tour de France there is another group of lunatics that are beginning their quest for adrenaline-fueled glory.  Today marks the start of the annual San Fermin festival in Pamplona Spain.

Beginning tomorrow morning, and each morning until the 14^th a group of thrill seekers will offer a benediction to Saint Fermín and will await the day’s adventure, the encierro, the running of the bulls.  For the next four minutes or so, several hundred pounds of rampaging bovines will stampede half of a mile through narrow streets, goring, trampling, crushing, and smashing any of the participants who aren’t quick or deft enough to avoid the animals.

Participants must be at least 18 years old, be of sound body and mind, not so much.  They may not incite the animals or be drunk, and may not run opposed to the bulls.  Really?  So a couple of gallons of Sangria and charging the bulls is not recommended? 

It really isn’t as dangerous as it seems, there have only been about fifteen fatalities in the century of the festival.  Of course, and there are several hundred injuries, mostly minor, throughout the eight days.

I was in Barcelona, Spain during the festival in 1981, and would have participated had I been able to get to Pamplona in time.  However, Uncle Sam’s Yacht Club had something to say about that.  But that would have been back when I was young, dumb, and immortal.