Campo Pequeno

After checking in, we were free for the afternoon. Nothing was planned until the orientation meeting just before dinner. Lunch was required and we were told that a food court was just a couple of blocks down the way. Before getting there however, we had already stopped at a little cafe for a tuna quiche which was very tuna. It was not very eggy, but it was fishy and delicious. A cafe americano gave us a chance to relax and unwind (and practice our sign language).

The food court was in the basement of an amazing round building. The food was pizza and hamburgs and sandwiches and boring. Hurray for our little cafe. Around the food court was a little mall, but we weren't here to shop. Not until we went up to the next level did we realize we were in a bullfighting arena, Campo Paqueno. At the box office we discovered that there was not a bullfight until next week.

A Spanish Bull

A Portuguese Bull

At each cardinal point was an amazing tower.

In Portugal, bullfighting is done on horseback and the bull's horns are covered to protect the horse. The bull is not killed, only tagged, whereas a Spanish matador works on foot and does kill the bull.

Each bull only fights once in the arena. One who performs well is put out to stud. Others who do not do well are delivered to the slaughter house.

After the fight is over, the bull must be captured and controlled. A volunteer attracts attention and then stands firm as the bull strikes his torso. After he grabs the bull by the horns (literally) a group of seven other volunteers swarm around the bull to control him and to remove him from the arena. These eight men may have the most difficult and dangerous job, but they are the only ones who don't get paid.

Inside the arena they have a beer festival setting up.

Box seats are small but beautiful.

The seats at the front have shorter legs.

Back at our hotel we explored to discover a rooftop bar and pool. A couple beer were called for.

 In the evening we gathered in a lecture hall for our first tour talk, then a wall was opened up and dinner was served. The buffet was extensive and delicious (but I could have had the same meal at home).