Miraflores
Ok, a lot has happened in the last couple days. I’ll try to keep this short since I have to get up in a few hours. Hang onto your seats, this ride gets a little crazy.
No internet uploads in Miraflores so here’s what happened after that first day.
5.27
Wednesday
Woke up to more rain & clouds. The locals say it’s really abnormal for this time of year and how I’m missing spectacular views. Damn. Have to return some day. JHK pedaled behind the van up a mountain pass while I filmed out the back and did an interview. After getting some really great shots Dan and I returned to town. I took a nap - my first in years! Their apt was so tranquil it induced sleep. I woke and sorted through photos and hung out with Dan. Dan is one of those guys you can’t help but like. He fully appreciates where he is and who he’s working for and has zero attitude about it. And he’s a bit sarcastic. Jeremy got back and it was time to get ready for the bullfight. Manuel knew how to score some tickets even tho it was sold out - guess it was a really big bullfight and while I didn’t want to see bulls get their asses handed to them, I had just enjoyed steaks the night before so I figured I’d shut up and not be a hypocrit (ok, so I can’t spell to save my life, let it go).
Manuel has great parking Karma and in city as crowed as Madrid - it’s money. We scored tickets from some 70yr old scalper and headed in. It was very “Gladiator-esque” and a bit creepy. Everyone was amped and all decked out. The show got underway and let’s just say many more Americans would be vegetarians if they had bullfighting in the States. First they bring out a sign that tells how much the bull weighs and the name of it’s breeder. Then the bull charges into the ring all fired up and ready to whoop some matador @ss. Problem is, they bring out these guys riding horses that have these wicker-made sheilds down to their horseshoes and blindfolds on - guess that’s the only way to get a horse into a bullfighting ring. The bull goes after the horse full-speed and smashes into it. They guy on the horse stabs the bull in the back with a pole to open a hole in it’s back. This happens 2x and the guys on horses leave. Then 3 of the matadors “helpers” have to get the bull to charge at them so they can jam a pair of decorative spikes into that hole. 3 helpers makes 6 spikes dangling out the back of the bull who’s steam has greatly diminished. Only then does the clown in mirrored tights step up. He taunts the bull, shakes the red curtain a few times, dodges the crazed animal then drives a sword down it’s spine. As the bull slowly makes it’s way over to the wall and drops to it’s knees the matador stands in front of it waving his hands in it’s face. Once it hits the deck another “helper” steps up and finishes the animal off. The matador collects his flowers (I would have thrown my glass of whiskey but it was only half empty) and the crowd goes nuts. Then they hook the bull up to a team of mules and drag it around the ring for it’s due applause. Guess it’s a tradition and culture I’m not used to. Don’t plan on seeing that again.
We headed out for dinner and I ordered a steak.
