A Corrida starts with the paseillo, with everybody involved in the bullfight entering the ring and presenting himself to the public. Two Alguacilillos, on horse's back, direct themselves to the presidency and symbolically ask for the keys to the "puerta de los toriles". Behind that door are the bulls.With the door being opened and the first bull entering the ring the spectacle starts. It consists of three parts, called tercios, being separated by horn-signals. There are three toreros in each Corrida and each one will have to torear two bulls.In the first tercio the bullfighter uses the capote, a quite large rag of purple and yellow color. (here there are many matadors in the ring each taking turns waving their capes and then running to safety). Then two picadores enter on horse's back and armed with a lance. (the horses are blindfolded and have protective padding around them. The bull charges the horse and while the bull is very close, the picador stabs it with the lance to cut its spinal cord. This keeps the bull from having a premature heart attack). The second part is la suerte de banderillas. Three banderilleros have to stick a pair of banderillas into the attacking bull's back. (in this part, the 3 men are on foot. they run up REALLY close to the bull and stick these dagger-like things into its back). In the final "suerte suprema" the bullfighter uses the muleta, a small red rag. He has to show his faena, his masterity to dominate the bull, and to establish an artistically symbiosis between man and beast. The Corrida ends with the torero killing the bull with his sword. (this last part, is the main matador. Its only him and the bull in the ring. The matadors really do have a mastery over the bull. It was incredible.)
The bull ring is beautiful. Its decorated with red and a yellow mustard color, the colors of Sevilla. It can hold 14,00 people. And yes, everyone does say ole in unison throughout the whole fight. While i'm happy i went to the bullfight, i don't think i would choose to go to another. Its definitely part of the culture, but it was still difficult to watch at points. The first matador to go one-on-one with the bull got thrown in the air off the bull! It was intense. The second matador had to roll on the ground to safety at one point. And, that second bull took forever to die. Here are some pictures!
a group of us outside the ring.
the parade in the beginning to introduce everyone.
The first bull charging out of the gate.
The group of matadors with the pink and yellow capes. Notice them standing in the back while one takes his turn with the bull. Also notice the padded horse in the back left and the long lance the rider is holding.
This probably should not have happened! It was really scary! He was ok though and kept on fighting.
One of the 3 main matadors (indicated by the red cape) taking his turn mastering the bull.
Tonight I'm going to the circus. Its the beginning of La Feria (the fair) in Sevilla. TOMORROW, I leave for Italy and then Paris. Please pray for our safety and that all of our travels go smoothly. We are going to Pisa, Florence, Venice, Rome, and Paris. I'll be returning to Sevilla on May 1.
God Bless,
steph
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