thoughts on la corrida de toros

So we went to a bullfight yesterday evening. I have been once before, but MC had never seen one and our friend got tickets for about 4 euros. (Which is probably about $30 at this point, but who’s counting?) I’m completely conflicted about bullfighting. I think there’s something to be said for the historical and cultural aspects, but that doesn’t erase the fact that it truly is killing for sport. I love the pageantry and the costumes (and damn, bullfighters are pretty sexy), but I hate the fact that you start to get desensitized after the first bull. I welled up as soon as the first bull came prancing out and didn’t stop until the next bull. Then I felt like I got used to it, but I don’t think I want to be more used to it. And I really hate that that the last moments of the bull’s life are filled completely with confusion and pain. But then again, probably the last moments of a lot of creatures lives are filled with confusion and pain. Also, there’s something to be said for the life of the bull up until that point which is probably much better than the life of most animals killed for their meat in the US. But it really is strange to see the life drain out of something, and I’m pretty much done with bullfights. So if anyone who is coming to visit wants to see one, you might have to go without me. Or, you can look at the more than 500 pictures that MC took yesterday and feel like you were there with us.

-cuptastic