Ole, Ole, Ole - Pamplona Part 4

On Sunday, we headed to our next balcony, where we had a slightly scary experience.  Our balcony this time required us to meet on the street where the bulls actually ran at 6:30 before they cleared the streets.  We waited a significant amount of time, almost up to 7AM before the company finally figured out where we should be.  I was a bit worried that we would have to run with the bulls, but thankfully, moved us to the right balcony just in time. 

We were closer to the turn and start of the run this time, on a first floor balcony (2nd US).  The view and experience were better the second time because we knew what to expect and this company provided us with a guide who gave us a play by play of the cleaning of the streets and the actual run.  He had actually run with the bulls a bunch of times, so his commentary was very interesting.  It also helped that he was very attractive.

Pre-run

First runners

Mayor approving the streets

Blockade waiting for mayor to clear streets

Much bigger crowd on the weekend - that is an insane number of people

Catching the atmosphere before the run:

The actual run:

Lots more action on this morning - people falling and getting trampled by other people and one actually by a bull. 

 The guy in the orange was taken out on a stretcher.  I think he was ok, but still scary.

Clean up steers

Running with the steers

We went to the amateur hour again - lots of people getting tossed again.  Really funny to watch.  We also saw a woman get hit, which wasn't as funny.  She really wasn't expecting it - I think she was just out there to say she'd been out there, but ended up at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Balloon over the ring

After that, we headed back to the hotel for breakfast and to grab our bags for the bus ride to Bilbao.  The bus was about 2.5 hours and got us to the airport too early, but not early enough to see the Guggenheim.  Next time, Spain!