SPORT? CULTURE?...I DON'T THINK SO...

The summer Fiestas in the villages around us are well under way...our own village's one was at the end of June. Being such a small village, our Fiestas are pretty 'tame'....lots of music, children's activities, dancing, religious parades and some fireworks...three or four days and it's over.

This week it has been the turn of the biggest village in the Valley. Being a bigger village, it has a longer Fiesta, with more activities. I had been over there doing a bit of shopping this morning, and heard music coming from the village square, so went round to see what was happening.

The Square was entirely surrounded by metal bars (like a huge cage) and covered in sand... and there had been seating set up....

When I went to investigate further I discovered this poor, young bull being 'baited' by the 'brave' young lads from the village..it was so hot, and the poor animal just wanted to be left alone

so they kicked at it....

....ran at it, and waved things at it, just to get it moving.

The bars were wide enough  lads from the village to squeeze in and out of, but not for the bull to get through..the crowd was loving it....but me?...I just thought it sad and horrible.

This isn't 'sport'...'SPORT' is what is happening in London just now....this is just having fun at some poor animal's expense. Admittedly, it could be dangerous (there were lots of Ambulances and Police in attendance) and I'm sure those involved had huge adrenalin rushes, BUT it wasn't 'sport'. It left me with a really bad taste in my mouth, and I didn't stop for long. I know it's part of the Spanish 'culture', but it's a part I neither understand or enjoy.

Thanks for dropping by!

Take care of you

Alison xx