Strange Festivals in Spain
Saturday July 11, 2009
The Spanish have a lot of strange festivals. There's the really famous ones, such as the
Pamplona Running of the Bulls or the
Tomatina Tomato Fight. But there are some less well-known odd events too. Take the News Year's Eve celebration in August, for example. Or the jumping-over-babies-dressed-as-a-devil ritual that is supposedly intended as a blessing for the child (assuming you don't fall on the poor little ones).
One recurring theme in a lot of strange Spanish festivals is that they often center around throwing things at each other. Take a look at this list of odd festivals where the object is to pelt your neighbours with something messy:
Throwing Festivals in Spain
See also: Strange Festivals in Spain
Man Killed in Bull Run
Friday July 10, 2009
A man has been killed in this morning's Running of the Bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain. The 27-year-old Spaniard, who was gored at the 'Tramo de Telefonica' part of the run, died in hospital from his injuries.
The bull is said to have become separated from the pack and was running in the wrong direction.
It has been confirmed that the deceased was Daniel Jimeno Romero, a 27-year-old Spaniard from Alcala de Henares, near Madrid. Early reports had suggested the man was British. It was also erroneously reported that the incident had happened at the start of the event and that spectators were hit, not actual bull runners.
Daniel was gored in the neck and lung, which caused massive blood loss, resulting in cardiac arrest. Doctors were unable to revive him and he died in hospital.
Today's death is the first from a goring since 1995, when a young American was killed. Read more here: Pamplona Death in 1995
Read more on the Pamplona Running of the Bulls
Europe's 'Best' Airline Merger Completed
Wednesday July 8, 2009
The 'merger of equals' between clickair and the 'best' airline in Europe, Vueling, is finally nearing completion.
The dire state of the international airline industry has taken a number of casualties, so it is to clickair and Vueling's credit that they managed to pull off this merger and so minimize job losses. Virtually all of the two airlines' routes have been preserved in the deal, which has made the new company Spain's second biggest airline (after Iberia).
Why is Vueling 'the best'? Because of some dubious advertising campaign No, its because of this study I have conducted into airlines' hidden charges: Which is the Best Budget Airline?.
I looked at the various sneaky fees and misleading websites of twelve of Europe's most popular airlines, to come up with this run down of their websites' pros and cons. The airlines which exhibited the least bare-faced cheek rose to the top. So, well done Vueling.
No prizes for which airline came last.
See also: Airlines' Hidden Charges
Pictures from the Pamplona Running of the Nudes
Monday July 6, 2009
The San Fermin festival, home to the Pamplona Running of the Bulls, is just about under way. Time for the daily spectacle of watching brave/foolish men (mainly Australians) running in front of mad bulls and a whole lot of drinking to fill in the gaps between the bull runs. But first, a mass animal rights demonstration.
The Pamplona Running of the Nudes is now almost as famous as the bull running itself, though that is probably more due to people's penchant for nudity, not because of any deep-seated support for their cause.
If you are interesting in seeing more of their, erm, cause, check out these pictures: Running of the Nudes Pictures.
What do you think of the animal rights protesters in Pamplona? Are they doing their bit for animalkind, or are they just meddlesome spoilsports?
I have some sympathy with their cause. But wouldn't their attention be better directed towards the millions of animals painfully slaughtered in sub-standard abattoirs around the world, rather than the few thousand bulls that die in bullfights each year?
Worrying about bullfights when there are bigger animal rights issues at stake is like only caring about kitten drowning when it takes place on a Sunday. The huge sums of money spent on bringing large numbers of animal rights campaigners to Pamplona could be spent on better things. Anti-bullfighting protesters always emphasise the inhumanity of the act - saying that killing animals should not be done in the name of 'art' or 'sport'. They probably have a point. But is it really the job of animal rights campaigners to dictate how humans should behave, when the number of animals they can save is minimal at best? I imagine that most people who donate money to PETA do so hoping it will be spent on saving as many animals lives as possible, not on these self-righteous proclamations. The animals themselves seem to be an afterthought.
What do you think? Have you ever donated money to PETA? Are you happy with your money going on a trip to Pamplona? Leave your thoughts below.