We got like 3 hours of sleep. Most people just stay up all night. The streets were still packed when we headed out at 5:30 in the morning to the Bull Ring. We paid €7.50 each for tickets. There are 3 levels and we were on the top which is also the cheapest. There are no assigned seats and we claimed the first row right at the railing.
With almost two hours to wait some of us slept while I people watched. The stadium filled and a band entertained from the center of the bull ring.
Before the running starts the runners hold aloft their rolled up newspapers and say a prayer to San Fermin. We watched on the large screens in the bull ring. Rockets are fired signaling the start of the runners and the release of the bulls.
Runners started entering the ring then several bulls, more runners, more bulls... On the screen it showed one bull blocked by runners on the streets. The bull was confused but didn't charge. It ran through the ring startling the unsuspecting runners.
Next they let in the young bulls that weigh like half what the big bulls do. The guys still in the rig get to play bull fighter. First several of the guys crouch down in front of the door. One at a time the little bulls are let in at a run. They are supposed to jump over the pack of guys. One just trampled over them.
Then the bull run around the ring where the wannabe bull fighters try to taunt it and slap it on the rear. Then the bull charges at them. Several guys got tossed into the air. Quite a few got knocked over. Just guys doing stupid stuff.
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