Back from Spain to the world of high heels and dresses.

So I'm back from Spain and back to work; Although I do not find myself in "work mode" quite yet. I guess I'm still recovering.

I was in Pamplona for San Fermin to watch some friends run with the bulls. This was, by far, the most fun I had on my trip. I watched the Spain/Germany game with one pal the night before the run. The crowd went crazy when Spain won that game. (They chant over and over "Soy de Espana, Espana, Espana). Very cool to see and hear, even if I would have preferred the USA to win.

After sleeping in a less than 5-star cabin, we woke up and 4:30 am to catch the 5 am bus into Pamplona. We got there and people were still partying from the night before. Clubs were packed and techno music could be heard as we wandered the streets. I followed the four guys to their starting point, stopping along the way to buy a jug of Sangria. (Yes I was drinking at 6 am, but - in my defense - so was everyone else.) I took more pics than the guys probably wanted me to as we walked along but, hey - how many times do you run with bulls? They will thank me later.

Pamplona was dirty and nasty from the festivities. There were people everywhere. I hung out with the guys for a bit and then went towards the arena to get a spot where I could (hopefully) see them run. The running started at 8 and the crowd was wild. I didn't get to see any of the guys run inside but saw a couple of them messing with the smaller bulls in the arena. Let me say this: do not participate in picture taking of this event if you have any sort of claustrophobia. There are people everywhere cramming, shoving and pushing their way to see the action. I managed to get a few good shots of the guys and then it was over. We grabbed a bite afterward and I listened to them gab about the run. They were all hopped up from a combo of adrenaline and tiredness. It was funny to listen to them. I was glad to be a part of it.

We bought tickets to the bullfight later that night. I didn't realize it at the time but the bulls from the run in the morning are the same bulls in the bullfight at night. I lasted for one fight. It was cool to see from a cultural standpoint but I, personally, cannot watch animals die. Look don't get me wrong, I eat beef and chicken - I know where it comes from but I try to make a point of eating only meat that has been humanely raised and slaughtered. Bullfighting is very primitive. I found myself hoping they would let the bull go. The matadors teased the poor thing, cutting it so it would bleed, before finally stabbing it with a sword. Towards the end when the bull stood up, fell, tried to stand up again and then finally died to the cheering of the crowd, I turned to my friend Chris and said "I'm out."

I wandered the streets, buying gifts and traditional red and white garb until the guys came out. We spent some more time drinking. One of the guys, an architect*, told me to get this energy drink called "Burn". It tasted similiar to Red Bull.  Only after I was halfway through did he tell me that it is illegal here in the US - so I pretty much drank something like liquid crack.**

We went back to the campsite where I stayed up with Erik and the architect to drink some more. At this point I actually found out the architect was an architect and a semi-heated discussion ensued about architect vs. builder. I was pretty drunk at this point so I’m sure I said more than one thing to piss him off.  I always think I'm right, and Its pretty hard for me to hide it.

A Mariachi band came out to play which was kind of a weird experience. They would play something very traditional and then break into a chorus of “Twist and Shout.” If there was one thing the architect and I agreed on, it was the oddity of the Mariachi group. At some point, (I’m not sure when exactly), the evening ended and everyone went to sleep. I woke up to a massive hangover the next day, not realizing that I had inadvertently consumed close to an entire bottle of vodka. It’s a wonder that the architect didn’t kill me the night before - I get overly chatty/bitchy on vodka.***

So besides the God-awful hangover, It was actually a blast. Its nice being back in my air-conditioned office, wearing my make-up, heels and pretty dress. But there is something to be said for the times when you wear a t-shirt, cut-offs and reefs and no one cares what you look like because everyone is hot and covered with dirt and sangria. Those times are memorable. Its a time I won't soon forget.

I just hope now I can get some work done.

*I have a general dislike for Architects, being a builder's daughter. I regard them mostly as snobby perfections. This guy may be the exception because he was actually nice and not a complete A-hole. Although at one point I believe he threw me into the class of non-decent girls at the campsite.

**Upon further reflection, maybe the Architect is an A-hole for giving me liquid crack and not telling me about it until afterward...

***Now, once again, I have to give the architect a break for putting up with my drunk ass. Dammit.