Corrido del Toros.

When in Spain, see it all.

This past Saturday, there was a Corrido del Toros (bullfight) in Málaga. As a student I was able to get a ticket for only 10 Euros, so I figured I had to go... 

It was definitely an experience. 

I'm glad to say I went.

 And I never need to see one again.

The bullfight began with all the participants parading through the ring.

All spectators stand for this.

It was my favorite part. There was no blood.

This banderillero (flagman) is testing the bull.

He tries to see how the bull will react to the flags and how he will charge.

Then they bring in the picadores (lancers) on horseback.

This is totally unfair because they have the advantage of being on the horse and stab the bull.

The horse takes the brunt of the bull's anger.

Though it has padding, I still think this is awful.

 And now the bull is really bleeding.

Then the matador takes over. 

He is risking his life and demonstrating control over the bull.

During this, the bull is losing blood and strength. He has barbed sticks hanging from his neck and he has been stabbed at least twice.

We saw a couple of bulls give up during this time and go to the edge of the arena to die.

Others were stabbed by the matador.

 I tried very hard to see past the killing and try to understand the beauty of this tradition, but I just couldn't. I think it is absolutely cruel and unnecessary.

Prior to the fight, the bulls have been locked in a dark room to make them angry. Then they are brought into an arena where they are confused and stabbed repeatedly. I just don't understand it.

I went into it thinking that in a bullfight only one bull died. Turns out there are six rounds, so six bulls are killed. I left after the fourth round.

This is a controversial sport and there is a lot of debate about whether to keep it going. It is possible that in the coming years it will be outlawed everywhere. Though I think that will be very difficult because there are many people that are very passionate about it, at least I can say that I saw one while it was still around!