Sunday, June 19, 2011

WHAT is the SIGNIFICANCE of the FOUR ROCKETS that go off, EACH MORNING of the BULLRUNS?

There are four rockets that you will hear, and the safety of the people running with the bulls depends on the correct and prompt firing of these rockets.

The first rocket is lit at 8:00am, sharp, signaling that the gates have been opened at the corral on Calle de Santo Domingo where the bulls just spent their last night. The second rocket signifies that all the bulls have left the corral and are now loose on the streets. The third rocket is fired to tell the runners that all the bulls have arrived to the bullring. The fourth and final rocket is lit when all the bulls are inside the bullring's corral.

The bulls are released each morning of the bullruns – July 7th, through, and including, the 14th – at 8:00am, sharp.

 

Thursday, June 16, 2011

HOW CAN WE PREPARE OURSELVES for RUNNING with the BULLS in PAMPLONA?

Many of you have asked us for suggestions as to how to run with wild bulls...

If you do plan to run with a pack of six, wild, angry, and frightened bulls, we suggest that you do yourself, and those who love you, a real favor:

Read and study the very important information about "Running with the Bulls" at this great website: http://www.partyearth.com/cities/pamplona.

 

Monday, June 13, 2011

WHERE CAN WE LEAVE OUR LUGGAGE??

Many of you have written to us, asking where can you leave your luggage, backpacks, etc, before you are able to check into your rooms, or after you check out of your rooms??
 
You will be happy to know that there is a "left luggage" area, called the "Consigna", at the old school building, located directly on the Plaza de San Francisco, in the heart of the sanfermines fiesta! 
 
The hours of the "Consigna" are from 8:00am on July 4th, continuously through 2:00pm, on July 14th.
 
The cost to leave each piece of luggage, each backpack, etc is 4.38 euros, per 24 hours.
 
Enjoy!

Monday, June 6, 2011

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.  Pamplona's ambulances are able to transport the injured to nearby hospitals within minutes!

Which BUS do we take from the PAMPLONA train station to the OLD CITY??

Many of you have been asking a very common 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!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

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 (see photos above); 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 the link for where the Rochapea area is located:  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.