Some FUN FACTS and NOT-SO-FUN FACTS about the CHUPINAXCO Opening Ceremonies - 12 Noon - July 6th:

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 side 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 cannot even 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. Women and young girls report roaming hands on private body parts - unfortunately, due to the huge crowds, they cannot escape the ordeal until the crowds disperse - about one hour later!  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 upcoming Chupinaxco, on 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 and NOT-SO-FUN FACTS about the CHUPINAXCO will follow in Part 2.

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!

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!