Festival of San Fermin

On day 15 of our trip to Spain, we arrived in Pamplona for the Festival of San Fermin, a week-long celebration honoring the city’s patron saint. Dressed in white with red bandanas and belts symbolizing San Fermin’s innocence and martyrdom, we joined the opening festivities in the main square, where people poured Sangria in celebration as we waited for the mayor to kick off the event. However, we left early due to the dense crowd posing a safety risk. There were parades, dancing, and free concerts throughout the day, creating a lively atmosphere. The next morning, we woke up early for the famous running of the bulls and watched from a balcony as participants raced through the city streets with bulls behind them. Though the event was fast, it wasn’t as dangerous as it seemed, since the bulls weren’t actively targeting anyone. This festival was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in the States.