Beautiful Disaster

 I have a lot to say about the bullfight but unfortunately very limited amounts of time in which to do so. It was certainly a spectacle and while I'm glad I went I don't know that I'm so glad my dollar supported it.

I was amazed at a few things, the first being how absolutely beautiful it could be. They showcase the power and strength of that bull beyond my wildest imagination. Having only seen bulls in rodeo and in the field at the barn I had little knowledge of what agile and beautiful creatures they were. 

The matador had them spinning on a dime and running in small circles, back and forth to and fro. The power of the bull was impressive as well. I watched one knock a horse to its knees and run strong toward walls before stopping dead.  It pained me to watch and realize that the entire time the bull was fighting for nothing. 

I can't say I was too impressed with the matadors themselves. Their movements were beautiful, fluid and the costumes were stunning. Some might say their bravery is impressive but I don't know if many would step up to the plate if the bull were not having darts jabbed into its spine to wear it down before its ultimate death.

Basically, other toreros run the bull around and four others (two on horses, two on foot) jab 8 darts into the spine of the bull. You can see them hanging off him in all the pictures. Eventually the bull gets tired and the matador (the one in pink/yellow) grabs a sword and is supposed to kill him in one blow.

This isn't always the case, one took a few stabs, but eventually the bulls were defeated.

My friend said the cheering was for the bull, but I didn't get that. The crowd really seemed like a bunch of buffoons and when the matadors would parade around afterward it didn't really help my sentiment.

In fact, I had little respect for the matadors and other toreros through the entire process. They don't even remain in the ring the entire time, they hop behind little doorways when the bull comes at them (until he's worn down, as you can see by the photos)

Probably the most impressive thing to me, as you can see in the second-to-last picture is the restraint the bull showed. There were many times the bull could have killed, trampled or maimed the matador and all he went after was the cape. Granted, the matadors move very little and make the cape the object of his attention.

Still, you can see the two at a stand-off and how close the bull comes to the matador at each pass. The fact is: that bull is not really trying to kill anyone. He just charges movement.

This takes away a lot of what I think is the point and the beauty behind the tradition. It is not a fight between man and animal, it is a spectacle. It is man dominating animal.

Put the bull and the matador in the ring without a sword and I'll be impressed.

Sadly there was only one near-accident as you see in the last picture. The guy barely got touched and didn't even leave the ring, I was sad.

I think the sport and the movements are absolutely beautiful. I think they showcase the animal and it gave me a tremendous amount of respect for bovines everywhere. However, I think the same could have been accomplished without actually killing the bull. In fact, I bet it would have been a better show if they just went through the motions and maybe drugged the animal in the end.

Regardless, I understand and respect it as a tradition. I'm not wishing for it to end, I just certainly wouldn't hesitate to tell any of the men involved that they are probably compensating for something (or are gay. I mean, look at the outfits!).