Corrida de Toros

Poster for Our Corrida

There are some interesting parallels that can be drawn between attending a bullfight and a football match, whether Australian Rules or Gridiron.  There is passion, there is dissapointment, there is even anguish. And, of course, the exultation when your team or your hero has done well.

We were fortunate enough to get tickets for the first Corrida of the season.  Of course it was held at Madrid's main bullring, La Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas del Espíritu Santo, or more simply, Las Ventas.  Built in mudejan style, this impressive building is formed of red brick and ceramic tiles and is easily reached by Metro from almost anywhere in the city.

Las Ventas

Seating is in steep tiers on narrow rows of backless concrete.  Having ignored the cries of cushion sellers when we went in, we soon found ourselves back out renting cushions from the hawkers who looked at us with the knowing smiles they probably reserve for ignorant first-timers. To learn a bit more, and see some great pictures, click here.

A bull fight is an interesting cultural phenomena.  It is beauty and passion, noise and excitement.  Yes, bulls die, but so did the animal you had for lunch or dinner recently (unless you are a vegetarian).  The bull is led through stages from its initial aggression to final bewilderment. It is a drama, but one that is different in that while the arena is a stage, a real life and death struggle is played out.  And it does not always go to the Matador.  Even today we saw one have his suit torn at the thigh when he made too close a pass.  It is no wonder that the arena has two operating theatres and a chapel.

Below are some of the pictures we took at the Corrida.

 

 

 Tomorrow it's off to Paris where, we are told, passion takes a different form altogether!