Toros

After sleeping in mad late (it was the first time we didn't have to wake up early to check out of somewhere) we saw that there was a bike race going by the hotel. It was really official, all of Gran Via was closed off, and there were helicopters over head.
The main event of the day was going to see a bullfight. This was a really bizarre experience. We sat in the upmost seating area, which was actually a great view, and most of the people around us were natives. It was a cool atmosphere, kind of like a minor league baseball game. The fights themselves were very unnerving. They stab the bull repeatedly before plunging in these tasseled spears that Stay in the bull as it runs around for the remainder of the fight, like decorations. By the time the actual matador comes out, the bull has lost tons of blood and is exhausted. At times it was clear that the bull had no intention of fighting, it was just looking for a way out. Evolutionary instincts don't lead animals to fight battles they have no chance of winning. Obviously it has no choice, and obviously the matador would end up killing it eventually. This elicited loud cheers and Oles from the crowd. All in all, the best way to describe it is, as Jack's mom put it, barbaric. We noticed that we even became desensitized to the brutality as the fights went on; my reaction to the first bull being stabbed was near sickness, but by the end I didn't flinch when it happened.
After the bull fights we went and ate steak. Not actually, we found a tapas place on the way to the hotel. It was a really cool spot, jam packed with a real tavern look. We ordered empanadas, calimari and chorizo on purpose, and a huge plate of octopus by mistake. It said Pulpo on the menu, which I thought would be meatballs, judging by the italian polpettini. Not at all. We ate it though, and it was pretty good, if a bit rubbery. We had a half pitcher of sangria, and tried this special drink they had for the night. They turned out all the lights and lit this big bowl of alcoholic beverage on fire, and then served it warm. It was pretty awful, very strong and very sweet, but it was fun to try.
Tomorrow we have 8'hours of bus riding to get to Tara's farm. Should be fun.
Lots of love to you all, especially my best friend, you know who you are.
luke