museo taurino

ok, now for a gruesome side to spanish culture - turn away now animal lovers!! i went to the bullfighting museum, run by the bullfighting club of murcia - they're pretty serious about their toros out here! it looked just like a cafe from outside but a friendly waiter called jose (more on him later) assured me the museum was inside and gave me a quick tour before leaving me to look around. there are heads of famous kills lining the walls, plus videos of famous matadors - they're like celebrities out here, second only to footballers apparently. anyway, i watched a bit of the video and wasn't overly impressed - the bull is at a disadvantage from the beginning as it has flags stuck into its back to slow it down and stop it from being able to raise its head into a dangerous position for charging. then it is taunted by the chief matador which can be very skillful, but essentially cruel and a bit dull - the bull is obviously struggling which somehow takes away from the machismo of the matador. plus, it would be nice for the bull to just go for the man rather than the red cloth - its frustrating really. then when the matador turns his back and struts for the crowd, you kind of wish the bull would have a pop at him when he's least expecting it!! anyway, i was initially unimpressed and went back out the front to the cafe/bar and ordered a beer. only to panic when i realised i didn't have any money left!! luckily, i chose to ask jose how much i owed him for the beer, and he said it was on him!! hooray for being a girl! we had a chat and exchanged emails, he said he'll get us tickets for los toros in september through the club so we can go and watch together - until then we are emailing each other. all helps the spanish after all!! back at the bus station at the end of the day, i watched the big toros in madrid which was being televised and watched by a number of old boys in the bar there. there was a matador called sebastian castella and he was fascinating to watch. he has a lot more flair than the others i've seen and i was drawn in. call it morbid fascination i guess, but i'm hooked. slightly guilt-ridden, but hooked!!