Skate with the Bulls

Skate with the Bulls, Pamplona, Spain, July 7-10, 2000
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Want to get into trouble with the police while endearing yourself to the crowd? Then skate the bull run in Pamplona, Spain with Dave Cooper, the Kwanstress, and Eddy Matzger. For only 825 meters and a mere two-and-a-half minutes, your life will flash before your eyes on cobbled streets lubricated by centuries of spilled beer, red wine, and blood.

For some, Eddy was the bull! Party crazed Pamplonans urged him on from behind with sticks and rolled-up newspapers. Around the Plaza Consistorial's dangerously slick dogled and up the Calle Estafetta he steamed while bulls and humans alike spun out like cartoon characters. Overtaken by one of the bulls on the final straightaway, Eddy lunged for his tail, hoping to grab a ride into the ring. Missed! All he got was a handful of el toro poo-poo.

The festival of San Fermin was a never ending party. Marching bands snaked their way through the streets and squares at all hours while processions of dancers bounced in their wake. Revelers in traditional white attire and red scarves always had a curious eye for the most sober people still standing -- Dave, Kwan, and Eddy on skates! Often they would lay themselves prostrate in mock adoration or they would break out into a sporting cheer of "Indurain, Indurain, Indurain!", referring to the Basque's own 5-time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain.

Thanks to the bulls, San Fermin, and all of Pamplona for allowing us to take a long-running tradition and give it a quick skating twist.

Beware of police!	Bull-cam	Whipping boy
Cobblestone-rash	Happy reveler	Run for your life
Matador games	Party for all ages	Target practice
Made it!	Bucket o' sangria	Pamplonan penthouse
The perpetrators	Basqueness	Fat pickins'

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