San Fermin - Running of the Bulls
San Fermin is a week long festival that takes place each year from July 6th until the 14th. It is held in the capital city of the province of Navarre. Pamplona is a typically quiet city, however with 1 million spectators from all over the world coming for the festival, the city seemingly explodes with life! San Fermin is a traditional festival that celebrates Saint Fermin. The festivities include wearing traditional dress of white with a red sash and handkerchief, folk music and live bands, and of course each morning the running of the bulls takes place.
Every morning at 8 am, 6 bulls are released and corralled through the old cobble stone streets of Pamplona towards La Plaza del Toros, where the bull fights will take place. It is arguably one of the most dangerous traditions. Every year people are injured, and since the last century many lives have been lost in this tradition.
While I had been living in Spain I had discovered a great amount of courage and bravery in myself that I never knew I had before. Perhaps it was the Spanish people's nature for living boldly, freely and in revelry that inspired me to run with the bulls... Join me as I indulge in the in the spirit of the festival!
Every morning at 8 am, 6 bulls are released and corralled through the old cobble stone streets of Pamplona towards La Plaza del Toros, where the bull fights will take place. It is arguably one of the most dangerous traditions. Every year people are injured, and since the last century many lives have been lost in this tradition.
While I had been living in Spain I had discovered a great amount of courage and bravery in myself that I never knew I had before. Perhaps it was the Spanish people's nature for living boldly, freely and in revelry that inspired me to run with the bulls... Join me as I indulge in the in the spirit of the festival!
Pineda De Mar
I was fortunate enough to spend the first three months of my time as an English teacher in Spain living in the most beautiful sea side village of Pineda De Mar. I contributed a short piece about the Catalan village to the travel planning team at Let's Take A Trip. On their site you will find my latest blog about the beloved Mediterranean town. Click the link below to transport yourself to the sun touched beaches and quant streets of Pineda De Mar!
Tossa De Mar
Allow yourself to travel back in time as you explore the romantic ruins of an ancient Roman bath house. Conveniently found literally on the side of the road as you make your way towards the luxurious, secluded beach. Later be sure to immerse yourself in the medieval culture at Tossa's weekend market and fair. There you can enjoy traditional Catalan song and dance while you feast on Mediterranean delicacies!
A trip to Tossa isn't complete without visiting the beach side castle. Built strategically into the rocky sea cliffs, this fortress served it's purpose since the 14th Century. Although now it's been reduced to ruins you can still explore it's original skeleton and look out towers. Not to mention walk along the original wall which protected the village community below. Fitted with modern plumbing and electricity, residents are still happily residing within the Castle's decaying walls.
A trip to Tossa isn't complete without visiting the beach side castle. Built strategically into the rocky sea cliffs, this fortress served it's purpose since the 14th Century. Although now it's been reduced to ruins you can still explore it's original skeleton and look out towers. Not to mention walk along the original wall which protected the village community below. Fitted with modern plumbing and electricity, residents are still happily residing within the Castle's decaying walls.
Tarragona
I took a little day trip 2 hours south to the city of Tarragona. It was the most beautiful train ride along the Costa Brava of Spain. Where palm trees are of abundance and the arms of golden beaches stretch for miles. Upon arriving in Tarragona we found our way towards the ruins of a Roman amphitheater. It was built at the end of the 1st century B.C and could hold up to 15,000 spectators! It is said to be one of the first permanent fighting arenas in Spain. Before it, such combat, executions and other violent entertainments were held in makeshift public theatres.
Hundreds of years later, when Christianity was condemned by the emperor Valerian, Tarragona's Bishop and Deacons were burnt alive in this arena. During the period of Islamic invasion of Spain the city was practically abandoned. Until 1780, when the amphitheater served as a prison for the builders working on the port of Tarragona. Since then it has been recovered and serves as a monument to commemorate the many Christian martyrs who lost their lives in this arena.
However, the real show stopper was the Roman aqueduct we had the privilege to view! It was built under the command of the emperor Augustus in the 1st century B.C and is known as "the Devil's Bridge." It was absolutely incredible! It's hard to explain the feeling I got when walking up the trail, being teased by it's appearance through the trees in the distance. Then suddenly, all at once, it gives it's full presence. Like a beaming light, it's power, beauty and strength became fully displayed. We hiked to the top and crossed the aqueduct. I walked where thousands of gallons of water would have passed, serving the people of Tarragona. Once we got to the bottom and looked up at it's columns of stone, the aqueduct proved its capability, withstanding the test of time without loosing much more than a few stones to weathering.
It really did have a profound presence, as if it possessed life. It was a part of something larger than us. It served an incredible purpose, greater than most monuments, statues or ruins. It stood bravely above the trees, and level with the mountains, as it did thousands of years ago.
Hundreds of years later, when Christianity was condemned by the emperor Valerian, Tarragona's Bishop and Deacons were burnt alive in this arena. During the period of Islamic invasion of Spain the city was practically abandoned. Until 1780, when the amphitheater served as a prison for the builders working on the port of Tarragona. Since then it has been recovered and serves as a monument to commemorate the many Christian martyrs who lost their lives in this arena.
However, the real show stopper was the Roman aqueduct we had the privilege to view! It was built under the command of the emperor Augustus in the 1st century B.C and is known as "the Devil's Bridge." It was absolutely incredible! It's hard to explain the feeling I got when walking up the trail, being teased by it's appearance through the trees in the distance. Then suddenly, all at once, it gives it's full presence. Like a beaming light, it's power, beauty and strength became fully displayed. We hiked to the top and crossed the aqueduct. I walked where thousands of gallons of water would have passed, serving the people of Tarragona. Once we got to the bottom and looked up at it's columns of stone, the aqueduct proved its capability, withstanding the test of time without loosing much more than a few stones to weathering.
It really did have a profound presence, as if it possessed life. It was a part of something larger than us. It served an incredible purpose, greater than most monuments, statues or ruins. It stood bravely above the trees, and level with the mountains, as it did thousands of years ago.
Barcelona
My Students
A Truly Magical Moment
On this particular day I was feeling a little lowly. I had been struggling to adjust to all the changes and I was missing my home in Canada. I went for a walk alone in hopes to escape the chaos of culture shock. I walked along a completely random forest trail hidden in the quaint Village of Pineda De Mar, where I had been living. In my mind I was doubting my decisions to move abroad, but then suddenly I was reassured by a majestic discovery. The trees suddenly opened up to a dirt road, and at the end of this boldly stood two towers, joined together by great wooden gates. To my amazement the impressive wooden gate stood ajar... I considered it an invitation.
Cautiously I peeked through, and saw the most beautiful open courtyard. To my amazement there was not a soul to be found. I explored the grounds, I had to! It was the first castle I had ever visited in my life, and it was so perfectly unplanned, it almost seemed like fate that I had stumbled upon this stone beauty! The grounds had access to a grand pond and fountain, where turtles, ducks and other creatures swam freely. I even helped myself to a tour of what would have one time been a barracks for soldiers. The doors leading to the towers were unlocked, yet the decaying wood appeared delicate, and so I left them untouched.
There are so many hidden treasures in our world, whether you are actively searching or not, you just might be lucky enough to find one.
Cautiously I peeked through, and saw the most beautiful open courtyard. To my amazement there was not a soul to be found. I explored the grounds, I had to! It was the first castle I had ever visited in my life, and it was so perfectly unplanned, it almost seemed like fate that I had stumbled upon this stone beauty! The grounds had access to a grand pond and fountain, where turtles, ducks and other creatures swam freely. I even helped myself to a tour of what would have one time been a barracks for soldiers. The doors leading to the towers were unlocked, yet the decaying wood appeared delicate, and so I left them untouched.
There are so many hidden treasures in our world, whether you are actively searching or not, you just might be lucky enough to find one.