Spain, A.K.A. The Week Long Layover in Madrid
Madrid
September 2 to 7
I know I'm not selling Madrid very well as a vacation destination and thats not fair. The city was gorgeous and we did like it very much. I just would suggest a shorter stay in Madrid and then heading out to all of the other wonderful places Spain has to offer.
I think I will just let my photos sell you on the city now...
Be Careful What you Ask For: A Bull Fight in madrid
Are we the only ones?
I sound silly typing this, especially because I spent my time in University and Post-Graduate studies learning about the various societal, ethical, and development issues around the globe, but we genuinely believed this.
We thought that a show would be put on; the macho matadors would parade a bull around the ring, there would be a few near misses, and the whole things would be more like a dance. Not the case.
They still kill bulls in Madrid.
There is a huge push to end bull killing in Spain, but Madrid, with deep ties to tradition, unfortunately has not changed its practices. We entered this arena so excited and naive and we left completely disheartened, unable to even talk about what we had just seen until back at the hostel.
I won't go on a moral rant here, its not the place, but I will say, the practice of bull fighting we saw was sadistic, cowardly, and inhumane.
Here are a few photos from the fight, nothing too graphic.