Calle Real before the run.
We chose to watch from well behind the safety barriers. I had no idea what to expect. At about 8:30 in the morning the fireworks were lit. The Vaquillas must be on the run. It wasn't long before we saw the crowd running down the calle. "Here come the idiots" I thought. I was wrong. These were the sensible ones. The idiots were a lot closer to the action.
The locals dive for cover.
At the end of the street the safety barriers brought the run to an end. Now was when the young lads from Frigiliana had there fun. Taunting the Vaquillas didn't seem the best of ideas when you've had a skin full. The Vaquillas would get suitably annoyed enough to charge. Cue a roar from the crowd and a scattering of lads as most bolted for the barriers.
A Torero ready and waiting.
Some of the lads from Frigiliana fancied themselves as budding Toreros. A few improvised with Spanish flags. A couple even sported the traditional costume complete with cape and began to perform as Jose Tomas.
3 of the Vaquillas.
There was even a spot of Portuguese style bull fighting. A brave (foolish really) soul attempted to wrestle with one of the cows. Grabbing her by the horns and attempting to ground her. He soon gave up and dived for cover as the indignant Vaquilla tried her level best to gore him against the rails.
Torero takes 5 after being caught by a Vaquilla.
There were a number of close calls although no real blood was spilt. A guy in a light blue t-shirt came closest. Having bravely tried to out stare the Vaquilla whilst inching closer and closer, he was distracted by the Vaquillas behind giving the one in front a window of opportunity. An impressive show of footwork almost got the lad out of trouble but he couldn't reach the barrier in time. He was headbutted and pinned against the rail, the horns inches away from stabbing him. He finally managed to climb the rail. In true macho style he soon was back on the calle, although a little winded.
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