Experiencing a Bullfight in Seville Spain!

Bullfighting is a traditional Spanish sport that is still popular in Seville. It might not be for everyone, but it is definitely one of the many Treasures of Traveling throughout southern Spain. See what it’s like to experience a Spanish bullfight.

When people think about Spain, one of the first things that comes to mind for many people is a Spanish bullfight. It has a rich history in the southern part of Spain known as Andalusia and one of the most famous bullrings in the world is located in Seville. Bullfighting is not only a tradition in Spain, but also in neighboring countries like Portugal and France and much further away in Peru, Colombia and other countries throughout Latin America, as this sport was exported to the new world. In many of these other countries, the bulls are not actually killed like they are in Spain. To read more about bullfighting in Spain, check out the Treasures of Traveling website. 

— Luke Keeler

Experiencing the Bullfight in Socos!

The mountainous terrain and beautiful vistas of Socos!

While living and working in Ayacucho, we decided it was time to explore the small rural village of Socos, Peru, high up in the Andes Mountains with an elevation of 11,200 feet above sea level to be exact. At this point we had spent a decent amount of time in the hustle and bustle of the urban center of Ayacucho and we wanted to be surrounded by mountainous countryside with less motor vehicles and motorcycles so we went to visit the small and remote village of Socos!

Gathering in front of the church in Socos, Peru.

It was a treat to say the least!  The long journey in the back of a truck with people and animals and really anything that could fit back there was an experience in of itself.  We thought when we arrived it was going to be a low key experience, but Socos was having a bullfight in the village so the village was packed with people who were there to see the fight and have a good time at the festival!  Now, you have to remember, this is not like the bull fights that occur in Spain where

The mountainous terrain and beautiful vistas of Socos!

they actually kill the bulls.  In Peru and at this bullfight, they were just playing with the bull, but they did not kill it.  The matador had his red cape to entice the bull to attack and after each session the matador spent with the bull, they also had multiple clowns to entertain the crowd!  They were hilarious to watch while they were antagonizing the bulls and running away from them.  Some of the clowns didn’t run fast enough and had a run in with the bull’s horns, but they were prepared and had lots of padding on their rear ends!

Read more about Socos and the bull fight at Treasures of Traveling Website!

-- Luke Keeler