The Arena

Two weeks without internet access had been surprisingly relaxing and peaceful.

We caught a bull fight at the arena this time in Spain. It was more like a "training" ground for the new bull fighters (matadors). The atmosphere at the arena was electrifying. The crowd waited patiently at the their tiny concrete place for the show to begin.

As it was my first time watching a bull fight, I was quite interested in the surroundings as well as the structure of the arena. The entire bull fight is like a performance. The costumes, the fanfare were impressive even though it is an amatuer bull fight. It took me awhile to figure out the beauty of the dance with the bull and the skills that the matador had displayed gracefully.

However, I wasn't prepared for the fact that the bull would have to die in the end. Of course the men would say it is a fair fight between the bull and the matador. But it was obvious that the matador was having the upper hand and I wonder why must the bull die? If it is a performing art, why is death necessary? I must admit that it is also a skill if the matador is able to pierce through the heart of the bull in one single strike. But should the appreciation of an art need unnecessary sacrifice of an animal? Would this appreciation be compromised if the bull survives in this case?

It was definitely an eye opener for me. I doubt I will ever watch it again though. As I found it difficult to cheer like the crowd when the bull expires shortly after the final act... I still cannot understand why the bull had to die.