September 10, 2007

What a Load of Bull

In Life in Madrid | 3 comments | permalink

DeanHunt.com started out as my online diary. It was here to keep a note of my life on the net and in Madrid.

It has since become a global site, and this has meant that I don’t really use it as I used to.

But today I am going to have to post details and photos of a weekend that I will never forget!

It consisted of alcohol, tons of food, and lots of bulls.

I had a meal with Elena’s family on both the Saturday and Sunday, then on Saturday I did the “running of the bulls” in Madrid. (Yikes)

For those of you who don’t know, it consists of letting bulls run down a long street, and they run past you (very scary).

Anyway, we did that, and then went to the local bull ring to watch members of the public get chased by bulls. One guy in particular was flung around and had to go to hospital.

The next day was even more food, more drink and then I did something that I never thought I would do…

I went to a bullfight.

I have some photos that show in more detail: Photo of bull ring (You can see all the nutters who got in the ring with the bull)

In this photo you can see people jumping the wall to avoid getting a crushing.

And finally, here is a photo of me and Elena’s uncle Paco. See if you can guess which one is the Spaniard. ;-)

Anyway, I am sure this is hardly the most exciting blog post you will ever read, but it meant a lot to me, and was an interesting way of overcoming a few of my preconceptions and prejudices.

Here is the thing: there are a lot of people (myself included) that dislike things even though we have never tried them.

For example, I said I hated bull fighting, but in fact, it was quite intriguing. Elena’s uncles hates flying, but has never even stepped on a plane, her other uncle doesn’t like certain types of food, but has never tried them.

Life is too short to miss out on new experiences simply because we are closed minded.

So from now on I am going to aim to do new and different things, experiences, adventures etc…

Who is with me?

Thanks for reading this. I will be posting my server horror story tomorrow.

Dean

email this | tag this | digg this | trackback | comment RSS feed

Subscribe to my FEED or i will kill a cute little puppy

3 COMMENTS

3 comments for this post.

  1. Comment from Coding Pad on September 10th, 2007 :

    Nice photos… looks like something I would enjoy doing… not! Seriously, those things are dangerous! But it’s definitely something I would go and watch. I’m sure the adrenaline rush for those being chased is highly addicting.

    Trying new and different things is what keeps life interesting and vibrant. Last weekend I was up in Maine and got to ride on the back of a motorcycle for the first time in my life, and it was exhilarating! That one experience, coupled with some crazy roller coaster rides, and a few other recent adventures have made me discover things about myself I never knew.

    So I’m with you Dean! New adventures open up your mind and sometimes even your heart! They definitely take you away from the humdrum of daily living and server crashes!..lol

  2. Comment from Keith on September 12th, 2007 :

    Hey Dean,

    I’ve been around cattle all of my life. Rode Bulls in college but that is just crazy, nutz!

    But, if you want to spice your life up, contact me when you are in the US and I will bring you to Texas; where you can ride a bull. I tell my wife the feeling is almost as good as sex; the rush of energy (fear) running through your veins, heart feels like its going to jump out of your mouth if you open it. Then they open the chute and your are off experiencing the greatest sport.

  3. Comment from Dean Hunt on September 12th, 2007 :

    Keith,

    I would love to ride a bull!

    Shame I am not in the US more often, but that is a kind offer, and one I would love to take you up on if and when it is possible.

    Dean

Leave a Comment