"So I have a question..."

I couldn't let this chance pass. I mean I was in Spain and the running of bulls is on, why would not make the effort. With some absolute last minute plans I jumped on a bus in Barcelona at 7am all alone. I also had some campsite booked but there was lots of unanswered questions about just what I was getting into. On the bus I meet some other people who had to find the same little town as me, Estella. Turned out that wasn't so hard and before I knew all 8 hours of commute where done and I had a new group of cool kids to hang with and we all trekked to our campsite. These guys where awesome and adopted me into their crew for the San Femin festival.
So we rocked up at the campsite and as it turns out all we had got was a tent. Little s***ty. No mattress or even rug so I ended up sleeping on the floor in jeans and jumpers. Although the pool and surrounding picnic style area where cool, saving the overall site a little. The cheap beers helped to. After what can only be described and an icey night in the tent we woke up ready for opening day. Today there is no running it's just a party in Pamplona. Awesome we figured. So as tradition states we put on our whites and made our way in. Buying bottles of Sangria and beer all along the way. Now other traditions are, you get covered in Sangria and flour, people pour water out of their balconies, and cheering for the Mayor when he signals the start of the festival at the town hall at 12. It's now when you put on your neck tie that doesn't come off for the week. We where there for that. The whole square is full of people it like the most intense mosh pit ever but with no direction. Plus our once where whites were all pink with Sangria stains and with the water on top of that everyone was soaked. Once the square cleared and people spread to the various bars the lads and myself decided a wise option was to walk the running track for the following day. It was so much longer and tighter than predicted. We called it a day there and went back to camp in time to get enough sleep for go time tomorrow.
The bus left for the first days running at 530. This ment the camp was up pre dawn ready to run. With fresh whites we got into Pamplona and made our way to the suggested start point, just before dead mans corner. Harri, David, Peter, Jack and myself got into the course and it was packed. There was no way anyone could run but with 1 hour till the fireworks would crack we wondered how it would work. For the next 45 minutes nothing really happened and then suddenly the police came through kicked out the drunks and people who they felt wouldn't make the run. Then the police forced a big push to clear the track and basically get the tourists around dead mans. And it cleared half the crowd. Not us though. Then they did it again with 3 minutes to go. This time it really did empty a bit Harri and I refused to move holding on to door handles to stay still. The other boys got lost in the push and we then lost them for the start. Nerves hit then. I was standing 30 metres in front of the tracks most dangerous bit and I was 600 meters from the end, but I could see where to run and it looked more like the videos and pictures you see. Then before we knew it the first fire cracker went off, pens open. Then less than 20 seconds later second fire cracker banged and here come the bulls! By now my heart was pounding. We didn't moved for a second until we saw the movement up the hill and legged it toward dead mans. Instantly I lost Harri, and I had already lost everyone else. I made it about 5 steps around the bend when on my left ran 6 of the biggest bulls I've ever seen! I couldn't believe how quick they caught us. I just keep running and got in behind them. As I followed up the hill I saw people in piles on the street after tripping over and it was an effort to stay up myself in the mad rush. I also ran past one guy who managed to fall in the middle of the road and was trying to get up. I threw my arm under his and did my best to get him up, keep momentum and stay safe knowing 6 more bulls are still coming. The big goal was to make the arena at the end as they close it before everyone gets in. I got there got in and as soon as I did the next 6 bulls stormed in. Talk about chaos. This thing was packed and people went everywhere to dodge two tonne of angry cow. That was one the most intense bits of the day. Once all 12 had got through they let the smaller bulls loose in the ring. People where playing and teasing these guys and trying to get their touch. Even the little bulls are still terrifying and people got nailed. I went for my slap but it's hard to get close and despite a good effort I couldn't do it in the crowd. Still on the biggest high I found just Peter and we walked back to the station exchanging experiences with all the other lads.
I'm so glad I did it, worth every minute. And clearly I got out safe so you can all stress less now. You don't need to watch the news I wasn't gored.

"Was this in the master plan" - Parkway Drive