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Oh no … I have to run to the next one!
Recent Fallas
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Can’t find your favorite Fallas here? Visit Map of Fallas 2008, Part I
Exposición-Micer Mascó
Na Jordana
L’Antiga de Campanar
Winner of Fallas 2008: Nou Campanar
Location on Our Fallas Map
Archiduque Carlos-Chiva
La Merced
Location on Our Fallas Map
Plaza del Pilar
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This one was extremely sweet as well.
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Playa de l’Ayuntamiento was packed for this one.
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Yesterday, we went to the bullfights in the Plaza de Toros. Towards the end of the very first fight, a cocky matador named “El Califa” tried and failed to finish his bull off. He turned his back, preparing for another shot, but the bull surprised him by charging. El Califa went down hard and the bull pounced on him. It was terrifying… I had secretly been rooting for the bulls, but at that instant, I thought I was about to watch a person die and switched my allegiance. We got the goring on video … it’s at the bottom of the post.
Apart from that insane opening act, the rest of the fights were pretty standard. I’m no PETA member, and the thought of an animal being slaughtered doesn’t bug me too much, but actually watching a large animal’s slow death in front of a cheering crowd is not my thing. I hid my eyes as the first and second bulls were dispatched.
But after the third carcass was dragged from the arena, I started to get desensitized. By the fourth fight, I began to appreciate the skill involved. By the sixth fight, I caught myself clapping when the bull coughed up blood, fell to his knees and then collapsed, dead. Frightening. If there had been a 7th or 8th fight, I’d probably have been howling for more blood and cackling dementedly as the sword severed the bull’s spinal column.
So a bullfight was definitely an experience, but not one I can describe as enjoyable. We did, though, enjoy the matadors (or “toreros”, as they’re called here). El Cid, El Califa, and the more disappointingly-monikered Miguel Angel Perera — all of them so stridently arrogant, so cocky and virile. They were a lot of fun to watch: Dead sexy.
But I could’ve done without the picadors. Vicious, fat little bastards on their horses, who stab the bull with spears in order to slow it down for the matador. One particularly eager picador ruined what had been the day’s liveliest bull. Once he was done with his cowardly jabbing, the bull was bleeding profusely from his wounds and could hardly walk anymore. The picador was booed out of the arena.
The bulls were often less than impressive. One ridiculous white bull ran out into the arena, tripped, did a somersault and broke both of his horns. The crack which echoed through the arena was sickening, and they had to lead the bull out. Clever guy — I assumed it was his plan to get out of being slowly murdered in the arena, much like a soldier shooting himself in the foot.
So it was an interesting day, and I’m glad we did it (on our anniversary! How romantic). But I don’t think I’ll be returning often to the Plaza de Toros, unless it’s to take visitors.
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And I thought fireworks could not surprise me anymore - I was so wrong.
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We’re archiving the most important and best Fallas of 2008 and linking the location on our Valencia Map. This might help you to track down the ones you haven’t seen yet.
Almirante Cadarso-Comte Altea
Reino de Valencia-Duque de Calabria
Sueca-Literato Azorín
Location on Our Fallas Map
Cuba-Literato Azorín
Convento Jerusalén Matemático Marzal
Pizarro-Cirilo Amorós
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This Mascletà was really messing with your mind at the beginning.
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Part of Fallas is the annual competition of lights, and traditionally Calle Sueca in Russafa carries off the prize.It’s not hard to see why. While most streets in Valencia content themselves with modest and tasteful strings of lights, Sueca really goes over the top. Think: Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation.
It’s beautiful, though, even if I wouldn’t want to live there. Apparently, there’s an annual battle between the lights’ organizers and the street’s residents (who, strangely, don’t seem to be the same people). Looks like the organizers won this year.
The us airlines should be offering cheap airline tickets at least once a season. In this way at least a good chunk of travel-related concerns are taken care of. Then airlines like the mesa airlines keep introducing discount packages. Bigger groups like the mexicana airlines should also be doing this.
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I would not recommend to take dogs to a Mascletà!
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