Grab Life By The Horns

After camp wrapped up Chris and I made our way down to Rome to meet up with a bunch of friends who were tutoring in other parts of Italy.  We didn't go direct though, because the Med was yet again calling our names and seeing as we had not been near it for over 2 weeks the only real option we had was to head to Cinque Terra for some much needed Vitamin D and hydro therapy.  They weren't lying when they say that it is beautiful.  It is stunning!  Chris and I, and two friends from camp arrived with no idea what we were going to do or where we were going to stay, but being the cheap backpackers that we are we opted for Hotel Poseidon, the first 5 star (pushing 6) hotel in the area...also known as behind a large rock on the beach.  We checked in for two nights and had a great time drinking wine, swimming, and walking the five towns.  If your ever in the area, Cinque Terra is a must and I can get you a great deal on accommodation.

Vernassa, best out of the 5 towns

We grabbed a train down to rome in the afternoon of the 3rd day, to meet up with our group.  I've been to Rome a number of times but it is one of those places that you can keep going back to and keep seeing the same things.  We spent 5 days there until our flight to Barcelona where we were going to be meeting up with the other idiots who think running down narrow streets with large horned animals is a good idea.  And this is also where Chris and I were to be reunited with the third amigo, Rob Trasolini who has been drifting around Europe for the past year.
We rented two cars packed all ten of us in and were on our way to Pamplona, Spain for San Farmin (running with the bulls festival)
I was expecting a party, but what we got was something far far beyond that.  San Fermin was hands down the most insane experience of my life, I cant even begin to explain. Everything about it goes completely against all your natural instincts, for example dumping more wine and sangria on the people around you then drinking it, partying and drinking all night only to get up (if you even lay down) at to run down a very narrow, slippery, cobblestone street with several hundred other people being chased by 16 angry 650kg bulls with massive and very pointy horns...stupid. But this is what its all about, such an amazing experience. We were there for 4 days, so i ended up running twice; on the first day then on the 4th day. We also went to a bull fight which was turned out to be even more crazy in the arena than out on the streets of town, I was pretty hesitant to go just because of the whole principle, I wasnt sure if it would actually be enjoyable, but I am very glad I went in the end. I dont know that I would go again because it is incredibly gruesome but I think its important to get the experience, and again, its what its all about! We went into the fight in all of our Pamplona whites expecting to calmly watch a bunch of matadores (hands down the smuggest, most 'holier-than-thou' a**hole) people in the world 'fight' a bunch of bulls.  We were wrong.  Pamplona bull fights are more about the sangria and wine fight than the bull fight.  We came out of the arena purple, head to toe.  But what a good time.
Chris, Rob and I were then going to head off to do a little bit of a bike tour around the central France, but we ran into a little bit of a dilema.  Spain was in the semi finals of the world cup with a good chance of making it to the final. We decided that if they beat Germany and made it to the final we would be absolute idiots not to go to Barcelona for Spains first ever final.  Needless to say we posponed the bike trip for a few days.  I dont think we could have been in a better place.  We watched in the main square with at least 100,000 crazy Spaniards, and when they won the place just went off.  It was a good follow up to pamplona thats for sure!

During World Cup Final

Plaza de Espana after Spain won the World Cup

As well on top of that Barcelona has, hands down overtaken Budapest as the best city in europe...so far. It just has everything you could want, amazing night life, amazing beach, the architecture is amazing, and there is tons of mooring space for my huge yacht, which i will obviously be aquiring soon. I would definately be able to live there for a while.
Anyways, its off to France next for a much needed holiday from our holiday.

Take care everyone and chat soon!