Which book do you recommend, in order to prepare for the SAN FERMIN fiestas?

We do recommend that you read all about the SAN FERMIN fiestas before you head to Pamplona! You will better understand the deep history and pageantry that surround the celebrations, and you will learn about so many of the traditions that encompass the sanfermines. We highly recommend the book, PAMPLONA, Running the Bulls, Bars and Barrios en Fiesta de San Fermín, written by Ray Mouton, and available at www.amazon.com Mr. Mouton's description of the sanfermines is the next best thing to being at the fiestas! We recommend that you read this fabulous book at least once before heading to Pamplona and at least once, upon your return. Treat yourself to a copy!  Enjoy!

What are churros, and where do we get them?

Churros - sometimes called "Spanish doughnuts" - are a deep fried pastry that is very popular throughout Spain. This pastry is usually thin and straight or knotted in shape, and served with lots of sugar sprinkled on top, and, very often, churros are served with thick, hot chocolate. Churros are usually eaten for breakfast, but during the sanfermines in Pamplona, you will find several vendors preparing churros at the Parque de la Taconera, all day and all night long.... One of our favorite places for "chocolate" and "churros" in the old city, Pamplona, is at c/ Mañueta, # 8. This "churrería" is famous in all of Navarra as having the absolutely best recipe for making this sweet pastry! This same family has owned this business for the past 150+ years, and this "churrería" opens only during very special dates in the year.....the sanfermines, included among these special dates! This "churrería" is usually open about 6:30am, through about 10:00am, each date of the fiestas. It becomes impossible to access this street during the time of the bullruns (6:00am til about 8:15am), as the crowds make passage to c/ Mañueta almost impossible......but, this is a great destination after the encierro.....

Should we reserve BALCONY places for watching the BULLRUNS?

Many of you have been asking the question: Is it really necessary to rent balcony places in order to see the bullruns?? We can tell you from our own experiences from many years ago, that YES!! - If you plan to see the bullruns, then you must be on a balcony along the route - watching the bullrun from the elevation and safety of a balcony is really the only predictable way to witness this "Running of the Bulls" phenomenon! The bullrun is only 825 meters in length, and it has been estimated that there are only about 800 balcony places for rent each day! There are an estimated 250,000 people in Pamplona - both residents and tourists - on any given date of the fiestas....With so few areas along the route which have barricades for watching the bullruns, you really need to rent balcony places, if you are serious about watching this world-famous event! Do NOT delay!! Send an email to maria@bullbalcony.com right away! Balconies in Pamplona are already filling up for the sanfermines, 2010 - the sanfermines are just 7 months away! Here is a picture of tourists who did NOT have balcony reservations with us!

July 9th is HEMINGWAY DAY in PAMPLONA!

GREAT NEWS! We will celebrate HEMINGWAY DAY at the sanfermines, 2009, on July 9th. This date will commemorate this famous author, who helped to make the San Fermín fiesta famous throughout the world! This year, 2009, marks Hemingway's last visit to Pamplona 50 years ago! Viva San Fermín!

What time do the BULLRUNS begin?

BULLRUNS begin promptly at 8am, each morning of the fiestas - July 7th, through, and including, the 14th. A rocket blast at 8am, sharp, tells runners and spectators that the gates have been opened, and the bulls are on their way!

What are the ENCIERRILLOS? - HOW do we get tickets to the ENCIERRILLOS??

The Encierrillo refers to the event in which the bulls and the lead oxen are led from the Gas Corrals to the corrals of Santo Domingo, where the bulls spend their last night. The word Encierrillo refers to the "short Running of the Bulls" and involves about 400 meters of nocturnal bull-running, without any lights, except the usual street lamps. This event always takes place after nightfall, although there is no fixed time - you can expect that it will take place some time around 10:00pm. The ambience of this "short Running of the Bulls" is tranquil, and the running takes place in silence. Tickets to this event are very limited and very difficult to obtain. If you are interested in attending one of these nightly Encierrillos during the San Fermín fiestas, please email us right away, so we may make a reservation for your group. We will do our very best to obtain tickets for you......Here's a video link, to give you an idea of what to expect, if you are lucky enough to acquire tickets: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTeN4qaCkac

Are there MEDICAL staff on duty during the BULLRUNS in PAMPLONA?

Yes, each morning of the bullruns, the city of Pamplona mobilizes more than 100+ volunteers to take care of any injuries sustained from the bulls and/or the other runners themselves. These medical volunteers are specially trained to care for bullrun related injuries, and they are spread out along the "Running of the Bulls" route. There are more than a dozen first-aid posts and four medical posts that are activated each morning of the bullruns. Pamplona also coordinates extra ambulances in the old city, and they hire additional staff at local Emergency Departments in Pamplona hospitals to care for any injuries related to the sanfermines, whether or not these injuries are directly related to the actual bullrun event. Color codes have been established during the bullrun hours - red, green and yellow - to designate the urgency of the case and to distinguish the particular hospital to which the injured will be taken. If you are a bullrunner, or if you love a bullrunner, don't worry! -Pamplona's ambulances are able to transport the injured to nearby hospitals within just a few minutes!

What about TRAIN tickets to Pamplona?

If you are planning to head to Pamplona on the rails, we suggest that you go immediately to http://www.renfe.com/, in order to secure a train seat! The train schedules for the first and second weeks of July have already been posted...and, many seats have already been reserved! Do NOT delay! Trains, like accommodations, book up very quickly for the sanfermines! Enjoy!

5th STEP of the SAN FERMIN ladder!

Just a quick note to remind all of you that today marks another milestone on the way to the sanfermines, 2009! Yes, today is the 5th day of the 5th month! We are getting closer and closer to our long-awaited San Fermín fiestas, and the official countdown is well under way! In honor of what the sanfermines stand for, there are some things that you can do, in order to get ready for the greatest fiesta on the planet! First, call your work place, and tell them that you are calling in "well", and that you will feel "even better" today when you eat some churros for breakfast and sip sangria with your tortilla for lunch! Go out and throw sangria on your friends and on lots of unsuspecting people you don't even know! Next, take your kid's drums outside and walk up and down your neighborhood streets, beating the drums until you wake up as many tired neighbors as possible! Throw more sangria on even more friends and unsuspecting passers-by! Go out and dance the "jota" in any public place - we did this at our local grocery store last week! - great fun to watch the reaction of the store's customers! Also, stay up all night tonight, to get in practice for the real thing! Repeat all suggestions above, until you collapse from fatigue, and then get up and do it all over again! Yes, today, we are on the 5th Step of the San Fermín ladder....Now, go out and have a blast!

What are churros, and where do we get them?

Churros - sometimes called "Spanish doughnuts" - are a deep fried pastry that is popular throughout Spain. This pastry is usually thin and straight or knotted in shape, and served with lots of sugar sprinkled on top, and, very often, churros are served with thick, hot chocolate. Churros are usually eaten for breakfast, but during the sanfermines in Pamplona, you will find several vendors preparing churros at the Parque de la Taconera, all day and all night long.... One of our favorite places for "chocolate" and "churros" in the old city is at c/ Mañueta, # 8. This "churrería" is famous in all of Navarra as having the absolutely best recipe for making this sweet pastry! This same family has owned this business for the past 150+ years, and this "churrería" opens only during very special dates in the year.....the sanfermines, included among these special dates! This "churrería" is usually open about 6:30am, through about 10:00am, each date of the fiestas. It becomes impossible to access this street during the time of the bullruns (6:00am til about 8:15am), as the crowds make passage to c/ Mañueta almost impossible......but, this is a great destination after the encierro.....

How can we determine the availability of bus tickets in Spain?

For bus schedules, we use www.movelia.es and www.condasa.com  These bus schedules do not include transport from every town in Spain to every other town in Spain, however! You will need to use a map of Spain, to locate the nearest town to Pamplona.  Good Luck!

When do the BULLFIGHTS begin in Pamplona?

Bullfights begin each evening of the sanfermines at 6:30pm, sharp. Bullfights are held every day of the fiestas, from July 7th through, and including, the 14th. There are tickets sold for RESERVED seats in the SHADE ("sombra")....and, NON-reserved seats in the SUN ("sol")....Read previous posting in this Blog, to learn about the difference in these seating possibilities. Enjoy!

How do we prepare for the BULLFIGHTS?

If you have RESERVED seats in the SHADE side of the bullring, we suggest that you read our favorite book about the San Fermín fiestas: PAMPLONA: Running the Bulls, Bars and Barrios in Fiesta de San Fermín, written by the absolute authority on the fiestas, Ray Mouton....and, available at www.amazon.com This book describes all aspects of the bullfights and is a must-read for rookies to the sanfermines! Mr. Mouton writes passionately about the bullfights, and he will instruct you on what to expect, what not to expect, and how to appreciate this age-old tradition..... If you plan to sit in the "SOL" ("sun") side of the bullring, where the rowdy social clubs, called peñas, take over the stands: In order to prepare you for your bullfighting experience.... First, dress in a clean white shirt and white pants, the traditional clothing for the sanfermines....Then, go to any spectator sporting event, as a basketball or baseball game, and bring a boom-box with your favorite CD....be sure the music you choose is fast-paced and perfect for dancing....Next, crank up the volume to the highest level possible, so that all the spectators sitting near you at the sporting event are totally distracted and become more interested in your music, than in the sport that they think they came to see! Also, bring a bucket filled with sangria, and lots of soggy fruit pieces, especially oranges, peaches, pears and apples. Next, ask a stranger at the game to take cups of this sangria mixture and throw it on you, when you are least expecting a shower.....Keep doing this until your hair is drenched and you are covered with sangria and your clothing is stained pink....Next, take a bag of sugar and/or flour and have anyone throw the sugar and flour onto your wet hair and clothing....Keep doing this until you are sticky and feel gross! ...Now, you will have a small idea of what it is like to sit at the bullfights in the "SOL" side of the bullring, with the peñas....what a fiesta! Here are two videos that tell the story of the peñas at the bullfights at the sanfermines .....Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-fuyhJvbhg&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6NHN2AmBNw&feature=related

4th STEP of the SAN FERMIN Stairway!

Once again, we are happy to announce that we have arrived to yet another step, along the San Fermín ladder - today is the 4th day of the 4th month!! Go out and celebrate with sangria; go dance the "jota"; stay up all night and get your body conditioned for the sanfermines!! Yes, we are well on our way to euphoria, 2009! VIVA SAN FERMIN! GORA SAN FERMIN!

What is the "Pobre de mí" - and when does it happen?

The "Pobre de mí" - which translates to "Poor me!" - is the official closing ceremony of San Fermín, which takes place at the Town Hall, beginning promptly at midnight on the July 14th! After 204 hours of serious partying, it is now time to say "Adiós!" to the sanfermines of this year, and to accept the fact that life now, somehow, has to return to normal! This "Pobre de mí" ceremony lasts about 30 minutes - with unforgettable fireworks lighting up the skies and with candles held by the revelers lighting up the Town Hall Square…..and, of course, there is lots of singing by the crowds! The melancholy hymn reminds us that the fiestas are indeed over until next July: "Pobre de mí, Pobre de mí, que se han acabado las fiestas de San Fermín." (Poor me, poor me, the fiestas of San Fermín are now over). The mayor of Pamplona addresses the citizens of the world, to remind us that although the San Fermín fiestas have ended for this year, we have just 355 days until the "chupinaxco" rocket fires again next July 6th, at 12 noon, at the same Town Hall Square, welcoming the fiestas of the next year! YA FALTA MENOS! If your travel schedule is flexible enough to include this colorful and very traditional closing ceremony, we highly recommend that you plan to be in Pamplona for the night of July 14th! Here are two videos which describe the closing ceremony, called the "Pobre de mí!" Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tlBepSeYls&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kETisFeAzE&NR=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcEU18thsds&feature=related

What are the Peñas - and what do they do?

The Peñas are the ultimate display of wild party atmosphere throughout the old city of Pamplona, and throughout the San Fermín fiesta! The peñas, quite simply, are local social clubs that meet throughout the year for whatever reason they need, in order to throw a party! However, their main social event is the San Fermín fiesta, when members of each peña dress in their particular colors and carry their special banner - designed especially for the San Fermín fiesta! The peñas are known for their unending, 24/7, happy music and wild dancing - not only in the streets of the fiesta, but especially during the bullfights as well! Here is a link which describes clearly the role of the peñas at a bullfight, during the sanfermines, in Pamplona! Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6NHN2AmBNw

How do we make TRAIN RESERVATIONS to Pamplona?

The website www.renfe.com is Spain's train schedule site......However, please know that the train schedules are not posted until 61 days prior to the departure date. For example, if you want to buy train tickets for a Madrid to Pamplona trip on July 5th, check with the www.renfe.com website on May 5th...Trains in Spain are very punctual, clean and quite economical. Enjoy!

Which bus should we take from the Pamplona train station??

Many of you have been asking a very commonly asked question:  From the train station, which public bus is best for transport to the old city, Pamplona?  The only busline from the RENFE train station in Pamplona, to the old city, where the sanfermines take place, is the Bus # 9.....You will see the bus-stop just outside the main entrance/exit of the train station....and, you can expect a short 10-15 minute bus trip into the old city, depending on San Fermín traffic!

Should we rent BALCONY places, in order to watch the BULLRUNS??

Many of you have been asking the question: Is it really necessary to rent balcony places in order to see the bullruns?? We can tell you from our own experiences from many years ago, that YES!! - If you plan to see the bullruns, then you must be on a balcony along the route - watching the bullrun from the elevation and safety of a balcony is really the only predictable way to witness this "Running of the Bulls" phenomenon! The bullrun is only 825 meters in length, and it has been estimated that there are only about 800 balcony places for rent each day! There are an estimated 250,000 people in Pamplona - both residents and tourists - on any given date of the fiestas....With so few areas along the route which have barricades for watching the bullruns, you really need to rent balcony places, if you are serious about watching this world-famous event! Do NOT delay!! Send an email to maria@bullbalcony.com right away! Balconies in Pamplona are filling up very quickly now - the sanfermines are just 4 months away! Here is a picture of tourists who did NOT have balcony reservations with us!

Which book do you recommend, in order to prepare for the SAN FERMIN fiestas?

We do recommend that you read all about the SAN FERMIN fiestas before you head to Pamplona! You will better understand the deep history and pageantry that surround the celebrations, and you will learn about so many of the traditions that encompass the sanfermines. We highly recommend the book, PAMPLONA, Running the Bulls, Bars and Barrios en Fiesta de San Fermín, written by Ray Mouton, and available at www.amazon.com Mr. Mouton's description of the sanfermines is the next best thing to being at the fiestas! We recommend that you read this fabulous book at least once before heading to Pamplona and at least once, upon your return. Treat yourself to a copy! Enjoy!

THIRD STEP of the SAN FERMIN ladder!

Today is March 3rd, and this means that we have officially climbed to the THIRD STEP of the San Fermín Stairway! First of January, 2nd of February, 3rd of March.....today is the perfect excuse to enjoy some chilled sangria, and to remember that the sanfermines, 2009, are rapidly approaching!! Saludos!

Are the BULLRUNS really dangerous??

Now that the sanfermines, 2009, are rapidly trampling upon us, many of you have written to us in the past weeks, inquiring about our own opinions about running with the bulls in Pamplona. Many of you have asked if the bullruns are really dangerous??!! We can tell you from the experiences of many of our Pamplona friends and family: THE BULLRUNS IN PAMPLONA ARE NOT REALLY DANGEROUS.....THEY ARE REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY DANGEROUS! Included here are two photos that tell the story quite well, results of the bullrun of July 12, 2007.

Is there an INTERNET Café in the old city, Pamplona??

The one and only Internet café in the old city, Pamplona, is the "Kuria Net", located at Calle Curia, # 15, in the heart of the fiesta. This internet café usually opens by about 10:30am, daily, depending on the late night hours of the employees who work there! This past San Fermín fiesta, 2008, it was open by about 11am, each morning, at the latest. "Kuria Net" is usually open until about 11pm, each night.

Why you should watch the FIREWORKS during the San Fermín fiestas!!

Here is a photo explanation of why nearly every group of revelers, everywhere, stops what they are doing in the late evening hours of the sanfermines, to witness the extraordinary FIREWORKS extravaganzas over Pamplona, beginning each night at 11pm......we'll see you there!!

Is it true that there are FIREWORKS each night of the SAN FERMIN fiestas??

You may enjoy knowing that the world's most outstanding fireworks displays happen each night of the sanfermines, beginning at 11pm, at the Parque de la Ciudadela....These fabulous fireworks are free and open to the public!! We suggest that you bring a blanket to sit on, as often the grass is wet with late night dampness and/or sangria, wines and other assorted refreshments. From the area of the Town Hall, follow the pedestrians on Calle Nueva, heading to the fireworks extravaganzas.....At the end of Calle Nueva, cross the intersecting streets at the Hotel Tres Reyes.....and, follow the pedestrians who are all headed to the ancient Roman fortifications, where the fireworks take place...Enjoy! (We never miss this event!!)

What about PARKING during the sanfermines??

Many of you have been asking about where to park a vehicle during the very crowded dates of the sanfermines -
If you plan to bring a car to Pamplona, please know that all streets in the old city are blocked to traffic, during the fiesta dates of July 5th through, and including, the 14th. Parking is sometimes available at the airport; along the perimeter of the Parque de la Taconera; and in the residential area called "Rochapea", across the Río Arga from the old city, and about a 15 minute walk to the fiesta. Here is a link which will show you the Rochapea area: http://maps.google.com/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLJ_enUS311US311&q=rochapea+pamplona+spain
Please be aware that leaving a car for several days, or even overnight, may be risky.

How to Run with the Bulls - Part 4

Now that the rocket has sounded, you know the bulls are coming. Now is the time to put your strategy in motion. There is an immediate rush in the crowd - either down the street or towards the walls and fences. If you are too close to the fences at the start, you will get caught in the crowd.

As the bulls run faster than the people, the biggest challenge to the run is the crowd and not the bulls. If you wait and try to run once the bulls are in sight, then you will miss them as they run past you so fast, it is all over before you know what just happened!

The suggestion is to lane run. To do this, start in the middle of the street near where you want to run with the bulls. Then, when the rocket goes off, start to run, keeping yourself in a lane near the middle of the street. The bulls will eventually catch you and, as they come upon you, move to one side to allow them to pass. As they go past you, increase your speed as best you can with the crowd to run 'with' the bulls for as long as possible.

If you get knocked down or fall down in the crowd - DO NOT GET UP. Stay down and cover your head. Bulls have very poor eyesight and will mostly watch the ground ahead of them. They do this to keep from stepping on something they do not recognize so they will not fall down. This is, of course, a general statement and not always true.

When the bulls encounter people that have fallen and are laying on the street, they will generally jump over them as they will not risk falling by stepping on something that is not familiar. Once the bulls pass, someone will come along and let you know that it is now safe to get up. Again, if you fall down, stay down and cover your head. This way is safest and you will live to run another day.

SECOND Step of the SAN FERMIN Stairway!!

The official countdown to the sanfermines, 2009, continues today, as we celebrate the SECOND step of the San Fermín ladder...!! It is very customary - and, expected!! - among our family and friends in Pamplona, to celebrate each step of the SAN FERMIN Stairway - the steps being the dates 1st of January, 2nd of February, 3rd of March, 4th of April, 5th of May, 6th of June and the 7th of July.  These dates through June are perfect excuses for having all night "pre-fiesta fiestas" among the social clubs and local Pamploneses to remind ourselves of the unbridled excitement of the San Fermin fiestas themselves....which will erupt on the 7th of July - the final step of this year's Stairway!!  Enjoy this 2nd step of the San Fermin ladder today!  And, remember our declaration: "¡Ya Falta Menos!"....which translates to: "One Day Closer!"

More thoughts about the CHUPINAXCO!

We need to emphasize again that if you are bothered by huge crowds, it will be best for you to STAY OUT of this CHUPINAXCO activity!  There are only about 2500 sq. meters of ground space in the Town Hall Square (called the Plaza Consistorial), and there are an estimated 13,000 very wild revelers pushing their way into the Square, all at the same time!  In simpler terms, there are about 5 to 6 persons crushed into EACH sq. meter of ground space!  Also, because of these unforgiving crowds, and because of the fact that once you get into the Square, you cannot get out....we caution you about bringing valuables into the Square with you!!  Do NOT bring cash, passports, wallets, jewelry, watches, hotel/room keys, etc into this crowded madness of the CHUPINAXCO, as professional pickpockets love this event, too! Being all this as it may be, we do love the CHUPINAXCO!!......so much fun to celebrate the opening ceremonies with our family and friends from Pamplona!  If you are serious about watching this spectacle from a safe location, we encourage you to contact us right away, as balcony places for this wild CHUPINAXCO, 2009, event are very limited! We'll see you there!!

About CAMERAS at the CHUPINAXCO ceremonies on July 6th

If you insist on bringing a camera into this madness of the CHUPINAXCO, we suggest that you wrap your camera completely in a waterproof bag. Or, we suggest that you bring a waterproof camera, due to the huge amounts of champagne, wine, mustard, mayonnaise, eggs, or other colorful condiments and refreshments that participants throw upon each other!  We suggest that you do NOT bring your favorite, expensive digital camera into these crowds - your camera will either be ruined with the above mentioned champagne, wines, etc...or, the professional pickpockets may very well add your camera to their collections of San Fermín contraband! More info on what to expect at the CHUPINAXCO will follow in another post.

Some FUN FACTS about the CHUPINAXCO - Part 1

The CHUPINAXCO takes place at 12 noon, on July 6th, at the Town Hall, in the old city, Pamplona.  However, because this is such a monumental event in the SAN FERMIN festival, you can expect that all nearby sides streets are also packed with building-to-building-to-building revelers, all with varying degrees of wildly elevated BACs (Blood Alcohol Content). The Town Hall Square (known as the Plaza Consistorial) measures about 2500 sq. meters in size...so, you can imagine how crowded the square becomes when the estimated 13,000+ revelers attempt to take their spots in the celebration!  This means that about 5 to 6 persons are jammed into each square meter of ground space! You must wear sturdy closed-toe shoes!  Don't even think of wearing sandals!! There is broken glass all over the ground - so, especially if you want to run with the bulls, be very careful that you don't end up needing stitches in your foot, or feet!! The Town Hall Square, during the CHUPINAXCO ceremony, is NOT a place for children or older people!  Once you get into the unforgiving crowds at the Town Hall, you CANNOT get out, until the event is over and the revelers leave the Square. During the celebrations, you can expect that there is a lot of very dangerous pushing and shoving, called "surging" by the locals. It gets very hot in the Town Hall Square, not only from the warm daily temperatures, but also from the body heat generated by the huge crowds packed into this small area! You can expect that it becomes very difficult to breathe, especially if you are a shorter person!  For the CHUPINAXCO, it is best to make reservations on a balcony in order to witness this spectacular event...and to be safe, at the same time!!  We have a very limited number of balcony places for the Chupinaxco, each July 6th.  If you have not done so already, we strongly advise you to contact us right away, in order to secure a balcony for you and your group!  More FUN FACTS about the CHUPINAXCO will follow in Part 2.

How to Run with the Bulls - Part 3

If you have read parts 1 & 2 and are still interested then you may well be a candidate for a run with the bulls in Pamplona!  But before you decide to run, it is highly recommended that you watch at least one run first before you participate. Consider renting a balcony for the day before you plan to run.

Here is the next myth to dispel - you cannot run the entire course with the bulls.  Bulls run at over 35 mph and you cannot hope to keep up with the bulls for the entire course of the run.  So, you must pick your desired leg to run.  About 15 minutes before the bulls are released, the police break their lines and allow the runners to spread out along the course.  By now, you should have picked your desired spot and proceed to where you plan to run.

At this point, the loudspeakers of the town begin to broadcast messages to the runners.  You can feel the hair begin to raise on everyone's neck as the realization hits that yes, you are in the street, yes, bulls will be heading your way shortly and you are in a very narrow street and yes, this is really going to happen.  As the runners begin to disperse from town square there is more breathing room now on the streets and you can look around and see the different running styles that are about to take place.

There are those who head straight for the walls and have no plans to run.  They plan to just watch the bulls go by and say they were there.  Some stand in the middle of the road and begin to jump and stretch to get ready.  These are the lane runners who, once they hear the rocket, will pick a lane and run until the bulls catch them, then they will move to the side and allow the bulls to pass.  And, there are those who look totally bewildered and obviously have no clue what they are doing and have not done any research or preparation for this event.

Then it happens.  A rocket bursts loudly overhead signaling that the bulls are now out of the corral and heading your way.  Ah, the moment you have been waiting for is finally here - and total panic takes over the crowd.  People begin to run wildly or scramble for the fences with all color drained from their faces.  Now is the time to implement your running strategy - don't panic, just stick to your plan.

With Reverence to SAN FERMIN - January 24, 2009

Blesséd are the Navarran winemakers, for they, too, shall spread joy throughout Pamplona!

With Reverence to SAN FERMIN - January 23, 2009

Blesséd are the SAN FERMIN funmakers, for they shall spread joy throughout Pamplona!

What are the DATES of the San Fermín fiestas??

The San Fermín fiestas officially begin at 12 noon, on July 6th - with the much anticipated "chupinaxco" rocket blast at the Town Hall.  At this moment, as Hemingway described, and as Michener confirmed, the old city of Pamplona "explodes"!!  The first bullrun is at 8am, on July 7th, with bullruns each morning through and including the 14th.  The San Fermín fiestas officially end at midnight on July 14th, with the "pobre de mí" closing ceremonies at the Town Hall. Be there!!

How to Run with the Bulls - Part 2

So, you have decided to run with the bulls and now know that you do not need to sign up, per the last post. So far so good. Here is what you can expect next.

Since you read the last post, you know that all runners gather in the town square, the ayuntamiento, at least an hour before the run. Thus, you are now packed into a small area between the wood barricades with about 3,000 other runners. There is so little room that everyone is standing up as there is no where to sit down. In addition to the Spanish and Basque languages, you will hear conversations of all type going on around you in about every language. At this point, everyone is calm but there is a nervous edge to the chilly air. You can feel the building anticipation underneath the calm at this point.

Don't be surprised to see policeman, at this point, wandering through and scoping out the crowd. They are looking for unsuitable runners. As I mentioned in the last post, while this is insanity and all hell is about to break lose in an hour, it is organized insanity and there are rules.

If you appear drunk, the police will eject you immediately. They are also looking for people carrying cameras or wearing 'helmet' cams on their hats. If they find that you have either, you will be ejected without question. If you have open-toed shoes or other inapproriate dress, you will be ejected immediately. If you are ejected, it is suggested that you not put up a fight or make any dispute with the police - they are very serious about their job and will not listen to any appeal. If you are selected for rejection, you are rejected - it is just that simple.

Remember, these are their prized bulls that the city pays handsomely for, their priority is the safety of the animals from the corral to the plaza. Next, we will talk about the last few minutes before the event begins.

NUDE protests in Pamplona - July 5th!

Many of you have written to us, asking about the nude protests that have been taking place in Pamplona each July 5th, for the past 8 years! This non-violent event in Pamplona has grown into a protest of about 1000 naked, or at least semi-naked, PETA members - all of whom are true animal lovers and much concerned about the treatment of the bulls, during the San Fermín fiestas. Most of these kindhearted adults wear not much more than their red scarves around their necks and tiny bullhorns on their heads, and, consequently, they are quite successful in gaining lots of attention and international news coverage for their cause! The exact time and route of the protests are usually unknown to spectators - and even to the participants, as well! But, you can be sure that the protests will take place on July 5th - sometime in the late morning through the afternoon hours, in the old city, Pamplona! Rumors ran rampant this past July, 2008, that the nude protesters were not going to come to Pamplona on July 5th, so as not to draw more curious tourists and money to the San Fermín fiestas. However, rest assured, there were indeed hundreds of nude PETA participants this past July 5th, scattered throughout the bullrun streets and around the area surrounding the Plaza de Toros, and, yes, lots of eager photographers did show up to record the events in high definition! For more information or to pre-register as a nude participant, go to: Running of the Nudes

Run with the Bulls - Do I have to sign up?

The first question I get asked about running with the bulls is, do you have to sign up ahead of time to run? The simple answer is no, you do not sign up for the run but there are rules to follow. Here are the basics:

During the Festival, the bulls run every morning from July 7 - July 14. This is done in order to move the bulls from the corral at the edge of the old city to the bullring where they will fight that night. Since there is a bullfight every night of the SanFermines, then there is a bull run every morning.

Each morning, the police allow anyone interested in running to enter into the Plaza Consistorial, or town square in front of the Town Hall (Ayuntamiento). This is the only place that runners can gather before the run. All the rest of the unknowledgeable tourists spread themselves up and down the route of the bull run and are sadly disappointed when the police force them from the streets before the run begins.

The other runners are forced from the street so that the city can clean the streets before the bull run begins. This is done more for the safety and security of the bulls than it is for the runners. The city pays big dollars for these fighting bulls, and they do not want any bull to get injured during the run. If a bull were injured during the run, then that bull would not be eligible for a fight that night.

Next, we will explore what happens once all the runners gather in the Town Hall Square.

"Viva" and "Gora" - What's the Difference?

"Viva" and "Gora" both mean "Long live..." "Viva" is the Spanish word, and "Gora" is its Basque translation!

The "Txupinazo" - also called the "Chupinaxco"

We are now receiving dozens and dozens of emails each day, from all over the world, in at least as many languages!  One of the most popular questions we are being asked is:  "What is the 'txupinazo', anyway?"  "Is the 'chupinaxco' the same as the 'txupinazo' ?"  The San Fermín fiesta officially begins at 12 noon, on the 6th of July, each and every year! In preparation for this huge and much anticipated event, the crowds of revelers begin to gather in front of the Town Hall, in the Plaza Consistorial, as early as 9:30am.....the square is quite small, and an estimated 13,000 revelers squeeze into this medieval Plaza - this makes for an estimated 5 to 6 persons having to share a square meter of ground space!  Just before 12 noon, Pamplona's mayor and members of the Town Council come out onto the balcony of the Town Hall - called the Ayuntamiento -  to greet the crowds and to officially announce the beginning of this year's sanfermines.  The announcement of "Pamploneses, Viva San Fermín! Gora San Fermín!" (Citizens of Pamplona, long live San Fermín!") is shouted from the balcony...the crowds shout back: "Viva!" and "Gora!"  At this moment, when the clock strikes 12 noon, the rocket (txupinazo) is launched and totally unbridled insanity commences!  Thousands of bottles of champagne are uncorked simultaneously - all over the old city Pamplona! - and, the revelers, who are all dressed in white, may now tie their red "pañuelos" around their necks.....the San Fermín fiesta has officially begun!

Welcome to Run with the Bulls Blog

While there seems to be a lot of information out there about Pamplona and the bull run every July, there is more information lacking than there is available. The purpose of this blog is to try to impart the detail about the festival of SanFermin and the running with the bulls that is not readily available. Will start to write more as time permits.

Ya Falta Menos!