Jessica Yorama
Daily Egyptian
The quiet, cobblestone roads of Pamplona that SIUC graduate Todd Lewis examined the evening of July 6 were a far cry from the next morning when 5,000 people took the streets, anxious for The Running of the Bulls to begin.
Lewis, a 1994 graduate in political science, did much more than observe the 500-year-old tradition of running with the bulls. He experienced it.
From the first to the last rocket signifying the entrance and departure of the bulls, Lewis joined thousands of individuals in the challenge of surviving the 2,200-pound bulls capable of reaching the speed of 33 mph.
Lewis realized there are those who view the race across wet pavement as an act of stupidity and often drunkenness. He was well aware that The Running of the Bulls was in the eyes of some, no longer the act of appreciation it was intended to be. But unlike many, Lewis ventured to Spain with a full understanding of the event and its purpose.
Although the red scarf worn by participants may be perceived as an attempt to provoke the bull's anger, it actually represents something much deeper. Lewis says the scarf represents the blood shed by saint San Fermin who was executed for attempting to spread Catholicism.
With the idea of honor in mind, Lewis decided to make the shirt produced by his former employer, Pick's Liquor, part of his attire.
"You have to wear the traditional white," Lewis said, "but I wanted to wear Mr. Pick's shirt underneath. He was a great boss and really helped me through college."
Aside from a shirt stating in bold letters, "I SELL BEER," Lewis took little more than a backpack, a camera and a journal in which to write down his thoughts of his dangerous experience, an experience that he said provided much more than the "simple rush" one might anticipate.
"The experience of realizing you could pass away kind of makes you want to do things better," Lewis said.
According to him, the most memorable experience came after he fell and wounded his knee but still managed to beat the last bull into the corral. His happiness was further increased by the thousands that cheered as he took the traditional bow.
According to Lewis, some of the tradition we associate with the event, including the women donning participants with rose petals, still exists, allowing those who envision the event as the pastime of stumbling drunks to see the beauty in the tradition.
Lewis was not the only person taken in by the unique experience of running with the bulls. While in Pamplona, he met up with Mark Kuo, a fellow SIUC graduate in speech communication with whom Lewis had spoken sporadically throughout his college career.
During one of their brief conversations, Lewis had mentioned the event to Kuo and suggested he look him up if ever in Pamplona.
"I didn't even come to Spain for the running of the bulls. I was amazed that they still did it. Something like this could never happen in America with all the lawyers," Kuo said. "There was a lot of spirit and energy there, and I just became consumed by the atmosphere. The city literally comes to life, and it's hard not to get involved."
Despite their experience, Kuo and Lewis both acknowledge that there are those who support the theory that participants are often drunkards or simply looking for a quick rush.
Aware of fatalities that occurred in previous years, Kuo did a great deal of research on how to survive the bulls.
"It's a reason besides luck that increases your chances," Kuo said.
After the seven-day event was complete, Kuo and Lewis took the time to enjoy various areas of Spain using their minimal knowledge of the Spanish language. According to Kuo, "Todd knew nothing, and I knew next to nothing."
Not until Lewis returned to the United States did he inform people of his journey.
"I didn't want my mother or anyone to have to worry about me. My travel agent didn't even know what I was doing," Lewis said. "When I told her, she was pretty ticked off, but she was glad I was all right."
Wilbert Pick, the man whom Lewis chose to honor, was "not a bit surprised" at his former employee's decision to run with the bulls.
"You don't find many people like him," Pick said. "When I was younger, I did a lot of things that people may consider crazy. People have different ideas and do different things. I think it was a good experience for him."
Lewis, now a resident of St. Louis, says neither people's opinion of the event, his decision or the minor injuries he acquired while running will prevent him from attending the event "every year until I pass."
Kuo, now a Chicago resident, has a similar feeling about The Running of the Bulls.
"It enhances what you feel about America," Kuo said. "The experience is like driving the wrong way down the expressway. It can be done, but you better know what your doing. When it was over, I lost my watch but not my life."
Reporter Jessica Yorama can be reached at jyorama@dailyegyptian.com
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
