OH, DARN

Oh, well. And I was so looking forward to displaying my athletic prowess. Flying home tomorrow.

FRESH OFF THE PRESS!!

While some residents of San Ramón were anxious to host the first Pamplona style of running of the bulls in Costa Rica, others weren't so much, forcing an action of constitutionality and an order of the Ministerio de Salud to ensure public safety.

The running of the bulls was scheduled to start on Friday.

However, this morning, the ministra de Salud, María Luisa Ávila, notified the Festejos San Ramón 2010 that the bull run is off.

The ministra said her inspectors found that the bulls would be too close to the public which could result in injury.

Although the Festejos had co-ordinated the event with the Policía de Tránsito to close off the streets and had erected barricades to protect the public from the bulls, and the regulation that people could run only alongside and to the rear, but not the front of the bulls, the event will not take place.

The festival of San Fermin, or the Pamplona bull running as it's more commonly known outside Spain is a tradition that occurs in July every year, where thousands of people congregate in the square awaiting the mayor's official announcement that the fiestas have begun, a rocket is launched and the partying begins.

The Pamplona encierro is the most popular running of the bulls in Spain. .Injuries are common to the participants who may be gored or trampled.

Última lección

Today was our last English language lesson until I return. Oh, sure, the class thinks it is all fun and games, but just wait until they see the exam in November!

Tough Teacher

Even if a student in my English class has a broken arm, I insist on proper decorum during class. Have a question, raise that hand regardless of the discomfort. Or else, outside for a "time out".

Preparándose para correr con los toros

The first thing one needs to run with the bulls is a look of authenticity. The bulls, much like toads before an earthquake, can sense when danger lurks.
I am, however, having a problem locating matador head ware!

But Before I Return Home......

I am returning to Vancouver on April 17th. Today, the papers issued the following announcement:


Running Of The Bulls Pamplona Style Will Be Imitated In San Ramón

In the best tradition of Pamplona, Spain, the city of San Ramón, Alajuela, will have its own running of the bulls on April 16.

The city has been busy building organizing its own running of the bulls that will see the bulls run through some city streets instead of being confined in a bull ring.

The running of the bulls of San Ramón will start at 5pm on April 16 and for two weekends more to raise funds for a school and a colleged in the city.

Of course, many of the business owners of the La Sabana street, one of the streets that will be used in the run, are questioning the activity.

To ensure public safety, the city is erecting posts and fences to control contact between the bulls and bystanders.

The running of the bulls of San Ramón will not be like the savage fiestas of San Fermín in Spain where people run ahead of the raging bulls that has resulted in deaths, in the running of the bulls of San Ramón people will be allowed to run alongside and at the rear of the bulls, but not in front.

I am a little disappointed we will be unable to run in front of the bulls.