Blood Sport

Warning : Blood is shown in the following photos.

This complements the previous posts on bullfighting. This shows the matadors in close proximities to the bulls. The white sticks seen on the back of the bulls are razor sharp barbed sticks called banderillas, planted during the second third of the performance. The white portions were tainted red as the fight progresses.

Click on the links for some photos of the close-up actions.

Enrique Ponce attracts the bull with the muleta (red cape), with the bull responding with an upward gore.

Jose Maria Manzanares taunting the bull with cries of 'Toro, toro!'

Enrique Ponce performing a pass, avoiding the fast charging bull.

Corrida de Toros

Link to YouTube Video used.Use arrow keys for volume control.

Bullfighting, is one of the many controversial performances currently still available, but greatly limited to certain locations and timings.
I was given the rare chance of witnessing a bullfight in Spain. Curiosity took over the bigger part of me and I decided to go for it, albeit various opinions from both extremities (die-hard supporters and hardcore critics). I had to decide for myself and hopefully be able to share with others on what I had experienced.

Plaza de Toro is the place where the fight took place. This was a smaller one as compared to those in bigger cities. Most of the crowds were from the older generations rather from those younger ones.

As the trumpet blew, the entourage entered the ring. Wikipedia site gives a pretty detailed and accurate explanation regarding this highly ritualized performance.

The bull was massive, weighing nearly 450kg. These bulls lived free until this event, and they were bred for this sole purpose. The crowd cheer as the bull, angered and charging at almost any moving objects, entered the ring.

The performance was divided into three parts, each beginning signalized by the blowing of the trumpet, each third angering the bull even more as it progressed to the final part where the matador delivers the killing strike.

The crowd gave a standing ovation in honour to the spectacular performance of one of the matador who managed to strike the bull directly at the heart. This gave the bull a swifter death as compared to ones which were not delivered as skilfully.

Such performances were to showcase the mastery of the matador over the bull, manipulating the bull to perform charges, anticipating its deadly goring strikes, while constantly showing an air of superiority over the bull. Being much bigger than the human opponent, the bull can be a fatal threat if taken lightly. Therefore the skill of the matador and the entourage should as well be noted. Throughout the whole performance, my heart was thumping both with fears for the matador and sympathy for the bull.

For me, I will not go for another bullfight, one turned out to be too much.

Return of My Evil Twins

Remember them? Their hair grew longer and now they spot new shades. Spotted by my girlfriend in Gijon trying to spy on us while we were having a stroll there.

"_______,"

Its kinda amazing and surprising that the beach in Gijon is still so empty even with such a nice weather. It's a bit cold for us, but it must have been just right for the locals. The waves were pretty strong that afternoon, but no surfers to be seen.

HW tried to use my camera and came out with some pretty satisfactory results. I wonder if it's her or the camera, or maybe... the subject? ^. ^

Hey you! Stay tuned and connected for more photos from the upcoming trip. We'd planned that ages ago... That's it for now!

Gijon : Second Trip

Remember Gijon? Went there for the second time and this time caught some surfers in the heat of action! Really impressive, the way they ride the waves. This time the waves were much stronger, maybe that's why it attracted more surfers. However the weather was still as cold as the previous trip, if not colder.

Candid shots of the people on the beach pavements. I love silhouette shots, makes you wonder the emotion and actions of the person in the picture.

When it comes to silhouette shots, it depends on your own perception and mood to make a judgement of the scene.

Street Sights

Check out the stores, see something familiar hanging by the window? Cured pig leg... Its a food that's really common all around Spain, I don't know about other countries in Europe though. You can buy one whole leg and hang it in your kitchen if you want to, they can sell you the hanger which you mount on the wall. Neat...

This sense of individualism sometimes come out a bit disorganized. I don't think the whole neighbourhood would look great with everyone have their own distinct colour pallete.

Aseos (Ar-say-os), toilets, pay per entry, enough said.

Check out the nice greens, know how they keep it clean? See following picture ;)

Kinda cartoony sign. Basically the sign means, proper conduct, tidy city, so start picking up your doggie poo people...

The beach front of San Lorenzo, on my way back to the parking. Adios, Gijon, it has been a great day.

Port City of Gijon

Started off as a fishing village, now this town evolved into an important port in the Atlantic coast of Northern Spain. Its pronounced Gi-jon (ghi-hon). About 40km from Oviedo, with great view of the sea. I was first attracted to it when I found out about the yachts that were parked near the city. The initial plan was to get to Carrefour, and then IKEA and then to Gijon, if I have time. However, I missed two exit ramps, what are the chances... So I decided to go straight to Gijon.

I parked next to the beach. Luckily, the symbols for Playa is easily understandable, that's how I got to the beach without a map. I am not one who can easily find my way out of a city, especially one with lots of one-way street, think Malacca town and Penang town.

Playa de San Lorenzo, with some enthusiasts surfing, braving the winter cold.. you really have to give it to them!

Check out the waves, don't think I have what it takes to do body surfing in this weather and this sea condition. After a few beers, that might be a different story though ;)

The Church of San Lorenzo is situated at the cape next to the beach.

After asking around and using the longer way, which I realized at the end of the day, I found the yachts! And i have to say its pretty amazing, so many of them!

Looks like a yacht-mart. Luxury yachts, anyone?

See that one with the yellow hull? No, not mine ;)

More, more, more! I wonder how much one of these costs... I don't see any for-sale signs though...

Gijon is a nice city, however I think the buildings looked more modern as compared to Oviedo. Here's a rare glimpse of the sun casting its glow on the town.