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