Bullfighting Revisited

 (photo credit)

During the final summer in the '90's, this idealistic romantic learned a difficult lesson.  It was my summer in Spain and since I was living in Seville, it seemed only fitting to attend a bullfight at one of the oldest and most important arena's in the world, El Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza.  Raging bulls, matador's, red silk and a cheering crowd...  What could be more romantic than this?

Well, this girl had NO IDEA what bull-fighting was all about.  It was not merely a fun, daring attempt on the part of the matador to defy death in a ring with a bull.  No, it was a long drawn out process of enraging a bull by gradually goring it to death.

I was pretty traumatized, can you tell?

But here I find myself introducing my children to Europe and Spain specifically on our trip around the world. 

It was with great trepidation and that almost forgotten pit in my stomach that I tentatively introduced my boys to the classic picture book, The Story of Ferdinand.

The book is delightful.  And while it certainly didn't hide the truth, I don't think my boys have any idea yet that the bulls all DIE a horrible bloody death.  All of them, except flower-sniffing Ferdinand of course.  For now, I'm quite content with them being blissfully ignorant as I was.  We'll discuss the real story later...

These boys of mine are pretty entranced and have been hosting bull fights for the last week!

Can you sense the adrenaline starting to pump?

 The bull charges...

The matador deftly saves himself.

But it isn't over yet.  That bull is preparing for another charge.

Oh ya, now this is what bull fighting should be about!!! 

I could watch this every day.  And I do...  They give me front row seats every time!

I think that calls for some comfort food. 

Hot chocolate -made with real rich chocolate and whole milk, and churros, just like I had in Spain!