Brian Bickel (Bickel) : photos : Spain 2007 : Next, two guys on horses come out. One of the two spears the bull with a short pointed spear, as the bull charges the horse. The horse has a thick cover and its eyes blindfolded. We were told that this initial spearing lowers the bulls blood pressure due to the blood loss, thus preventing the enraged bull from having a heart attack.- powered by SmugMug

Espana es Muy Bueno!

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Brian Bickel (Bickel) > The Bullfighting ring in Seville.

Brian Bickel (Bickel) > The calm before the storm. We arrived quite early and were able to really soak in the atmosphere.

Brian Bickel (Bickel) > Initially when the bull comes out, there are a number of guys with pink capes that wear the bull down a little.

Brian Bickel (Bickel) > After the horses leave the ring, 3 guys with ornately decorated short spears run up and spear the bull in the back. At this point the bull is really pissed off! Only after all of this does the Matador, with the red cape, show up.

Brian Bickel (Bickel) > Finally, after the bull has been worn down significantly and has lost significants amount of blood, the matador attempts to pierce the bulls heart by burying his sword accurately and completely in the bull. This is the most dangerous time for the matador. If he is not successful in a couple of attempts the crowd will whistle in disgust.

Brian Bickel (Bickel) > After the death of the bull, it is pulled out of the ring by a group of horses. Bullfighting has a long and storied history in Spain. There is a movement to have it abolished, but judging from our time in Spain there are many who still love the sport.

Next, two guys on horses come out. One of the two spears the bull with a short pointed spear, as the bull charges the horse. The horse has a thick cover and its eyes blindfolded. We were told that this initial spearing lowers the bulls blood pressure due to the blood loss, thus preventing the enraged bull from having a heart attack.