Ole!! (Olay)

So back in the states we remember the fun bars with the volleyball pits that you could partake in after dinner and drinks.. here in Spain at this resturant they have a bull ring where one could fight a bull!!!

Every month we have what's called a "Hail and Farewell"  This is where the new people to the command are recognized and where we say goodbye to the one's that are leaving. Every month they're held at a new venue and sometimes on base and sometimes off.  This month was held off base at  Bar Jamon http://www.barjamon.com/   The evening started with tapas and drinks for an hour and a half and then they annouced that it was time to fight a bull! 

We were informed that it was a baby bull, so how bad could this be. When we walked out from the resturant to the bull ring the first thing we saw was an ambulance parked out side the ring, JUST in case we needed assistance.  The next thing that we saw was a wagon that began to shake and a bull came charging out of it. This "baby" bull weighed about 300 lbs and looked like it ate the "baby" bull!  We were informed that there would be training on fighting a bull. Turns out the training consisted of us watching the Spanish fight a bull and we were to observe and learn!  Then one was certified and ready to go!

Andy of course jumped right in!  Andy did great and I would have to say I was impressed as my heart raced from the side.  The only thing that I wasn't impressed with was when he was holding the madadors cape after the bull charged it.. the cape dropped and the bull stood on it. So picture this, the cape (which side tracks the bull) and now it's the bull and Andy standing in the ring... ALONE. So Andy then BENDS OVER to pick the cape up!!  As the crowd gasps for air the spanish traners jump in and Andy's turn is over....

It was a great experiece and hopefully Andy has checked this box!

Andy and Justin preparing themselves...and going through the intense training.. oh wait there was no training....

The focussed bull fighter

Ole!!!