Day 33: Plaza Mexico Bullfight

We can't believe we had gone 32 days without seeing a bullfight, so we ended the streak and bought 2 tickets to the 7th running of the season at Plaza Mexico. We can't explain the energy we felt around the stadium as we were walking outside the plaza. Vendors lined the streets w/food, bullfighting bibelots, cigars, cigarettes, and snacks. We bought seat cushions for $1 each because everyone else seemed to have one. When we got close to the gate, I noticed a huge sign that you can't bring in cameras. Damn...I went to alot of trouble hiding my camera in my bag. With 45 minutes left to go we entered the stadium and were escorted to our seats. The setup was much like a baseball game--gates that led into the stadium, metal seats, concrete structures, etc. Although, to get to our seats, we had to walk down a long corridor that was cave-like. Hmmm...bathroom breaks would be problematic. (And they were. Bring 2 pesos w/you if you want TP or you'll have to face a not-so-nice-little-girl in the little girls room) So we ended up with 2 seats that were in the second row. No one sat directly in front of us (Bizarro Mexican Jeff Goldblum was off to the side) so we basically had front row seats. We promptly requested 2 Coronas, sat back, and waiting till the bloodbath began. There is definitely a ceremonial aspect to bullfighting. Each torreador comes out and is welcomed by the crowd and judges. Then the first fight begins. We learned that there are 3 parts to an actual match, all which culminate in the killing of the bull. It's not heathen-istic and there is a huge amount of respect for these animals. In a sense, it's an art. There were 6 matches in all which meant the 3 matadors must face 2 bulls each. Watching these matches was surreal. One matador was hit by the bull twice. That's like watching a great hit from a lineman in the NFL times ONE HUNDRED! It never got dull....another matador was so quick with the kill the crowd started throwing flowers, hats, and jackets for him. I just followed suit and threw my jacket in. It's not like Hogs and Heifers...they actually throw it back!!! The crowd loved him and he won that day. He was lifted on people's shoulders at the end of the matches and received 2 ears as a prize.

When all the matches were over, some people started jumping onto the field. So Luc and I followed suit and took some great pics. We went out of the same doors the matadors exited and saw the great Manolo Mejia leaving. People were shoving and pushing to get a picture with him. So I threw a few elbows and ended up in a great photo op with him! A picture-perfect way to end the day!