SV Ostinato: Running With The Bulls!

Although there are repairs to tend to that are calling us back to Horta on the island of Faial, when we heard the bulls would be running through the streets of Angra, we just had to stay one more day.

There is a Bull running circuit that travels around the island of Teraceia during July and August. It is an old island tradition. Young men would run with the bulls to prove their manhood and as the bull got close jump in the window of the home of the girl they liked. The first stop was to the tourist office to get directions and times. I asked the staff if it was safe. Without hesitation he said "No!.. get up as high as you can. Ask if you can come into someone's house". Hmmm, right.

Crew from all 3 American boats stepped onto the docks almost simultaneously to begin weaving our way to the street which would host the bull running. Always good to know your not the only ones with questionable sense. The closer we got the crowds increased. It felt like going to a football game on Saturday afternoon. Food vendors, people parked all over the sidewalks, crowds searching for a seat that would be safe. well maybe not that last part.

We climbed a wall onto a platform about half way up the street but quickly decided that if the bull really, really wanted us he could easily climb the wall. Off to find safer accommodations leaving Ed who wanted to stay put. After wandering around for what seemed like an eternity, a man magically moved open a plywood gate and invited us to join the group on a high porch just over looking the square. The rest of the American cruisers were already there and settled in. We were set.

Here's how this works. There's the bull with a long, long rope around its neck. There are about 10 guys with white matador shirts and hats that hold the rope. A rocket is launched signally the bull is

out of his crate. As the bull runs down the street the 10 guys follow a ways behind, holding on to the rope....giving it a tug now and then just to make sure the bull is good and mad. People (this should read guys cause women had more sense) run up the street in front of the bulls. Occasionally, as the crowds thin a few guys (again, no females) would "fight" the bull using everything from traditional capes to open umbrellas! So, you have people in the streets with the bull chasing them with the guys following with the rope. Then the bull would turn around and chase the guys with the ropes back down the street! The crowd of "guys" would follow and the bull would turn on them and the whole scenario would begin again. I might add here that the bull is flinging massive amounts of bull snot throughout the chase. So even if he doesnt catch them, he at least gets to slime the fools.

This all went off with out a hitch with each bull getting nastier and the crowds of "guys" in the street getting larger and braver. When the 3rd big boy was let out, the street "guys" were off and running with the bull hot on their trail. Just as they reached our viewing spot the bull also reached the last of the runners and tossed him into the air like he was a stuffed dog toy. Knocked out! The ambulance came and carted him off while the bull was 50 yards away doing the pawing of the ground thing like they show in cartoons just before the bull charges daffy duck. We decided not to stay for bull #4.

Left Teraceia this morning at 7 a.m. The unattached half of the boom is stowed in the spare birth and we are motoring at 7 knots. Winds are on the nose but light. It will take us about 11 hrs. but it doesn't get dark until after 9 pm so will have plenty of light to get settled back in the anchorage. Back to work tomorrow but last night will be a special memory.