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Our feet are back in America. Hearts still in Lisb

Our feet are back in America. Hearts still in Lisboa.

I read a good bit of Hemingway growing up, includi

I read a good bit of Hemingway growing up, including The Sun Also Rises.

I was intrigued by the respect the writer had for bullfighting, and his character Pedro Romero.

We had a chance to visit the legendary bullfighting stadium of #lasventas, built in 1929.

Now, bullfighting is definitely controversial given the near certain demise of the bulls.

However, as we learned from an in-depth private tour with Carlos, our knowledgeable guide, the sport and tradition of bullfighting also involves the same art, beauty, grace, drama and incredible bravery Hemingway evoked, both for the toreador and the bull.

We learned about “Manolete”, the originator of the current #bullfighting style where one stands, leaning flexibly head on with the bull. He died in the ring conducting the ritual stabbing of the bull, for as he leaned over the animal’s head to deliver the merciful death blow the bull’s horn caught him in the femoral and he bled out.

We learned of Belador, the only bull in the history of Las Ventas to have “won” his fights and thus earned a reprieve. We were schooled about the bulls of Miura ranch, the most notorious and fearsome #bulls in the world, responsible for the deaths of seven fighters.

We learned of fearless female bullfighters who began joining the men back before Franco rose to power. They left to other countries to pursue their passion when the plague of fascism rose and some still dot the #toreador landscape today.

Most of all though, we learned how intertwined bullfighting is with the culture and traditions of #Madrid and #Spain.

We were told 75% of Spaniards either dislike or merely tolerate the practice of bullfighting and 25% still appreciate the tradition. Incidentally, the bulls once killed are butchered and their meat is sold to groceries and served in restaurants (the tail is a delicacy).

At the close, I came away feeling in awe of the practice, the toreadors, the bulls and their breeders…and in the process, of Madrid and its people.

"Bullfighting is the only art in which the artist is in danger of death and in which the degree of brilliance in the performance is left to the fighter's honor." -Ernest Hemingway

Feliz Ano Novo!

Feliz Ano Novo!

O nosso dia no Chiado

O nosso dia no Chiado

Chegou a Lisboa

Chegou a Lisboa

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