Hello
Well thought about doing this and now that I remembered, here it is.
This is for everyone that is planning on coming to San Fermines. Please ask any questions you would like and Ill get to answering them.
A FAQ
* *Chupinazo* At 12PM the 6th, a rocket is launched from a building which serves as the city hall and when it explodes, San Fermines have official started. I suggest you do not get in the center of the crowd that gathers right in front of it, only first timers such as kids and foreigners go. It is basically a pressurized cooking pot. Once you are there, it is literally impossible to move, breathe, or anything else. I went a few days ago when our soccer team returned to first division in the league and we were mostly locals and we couldn’t even get to the hall to see the players because it was jam packed! People coming out red from being squished. Well its 100x times worst in el chupinazo, trust me Ive been there. Cops are in the parameter to stop glass, etc but idiots sneak it thru and throw it in the air, like some kind of fun. **People have had their party ruined because their skull being cracked by a bottle**. Besides that, us locals pretty much consider the funnest day. People will usually throw buckets of water off balconies to cool (it usually is hot as fuck) and people usually throw liquids like sangria, beer, alcohol, paint, etc. in the air when the rocket explodes so everyone tends to look like shit (BTW, if you haven’t notice, don’t bring our your Dolce and Gabbana to this).
* *Respect* Respect people in general. I personally hate it about the first hour because everyone goes crazy and some people have kids or just want to have a more “relaxed” time. I know its exciting but celebrate it with your friends or by yourself the way you want between your friends. Don’t throw liquid over someone who is dry or mostly clean just for fun. Either he/she might not like it (and you have a fight) and/or that person might live somewhere else and you are leaving them wet/messy for the entire day/night until they get back home.
* *Jumping off the fountain.* We have here a fountain called “Fuente de Santa Cecilia” also “El Monumento” among other things in a part of town called Navarrería. People like to jump off this. **This is NOT a local thing, it is stupid and is very frowned upon** Outside, it is actually promoted but that is fake advertising by travel agencies. Do not jump off this fountain.
* *Running of the bulls.* This is not viewed as fun. It is almost like a sport. Locals tend to start actually training for it in order to have stamina to do it. It is roughly around 850-900 meters, give or take. **Do not run if not only do you not physically see yourself fit but if you are under any substances, do not run. Its also illegal and you will be pulled out of the run**. Honestly, we dont care if you get injured or die in this. The issue is that you bother other runners and might injure them.
* *More bull rules* (No pun intented). Do not touch the bull. At all. It isnt because its dangerous (which it is also) but its disrespectful. After the running of the bulls, in the plaza, smaller calf with their corns cut and taped are sent out. These are much smaller but still, a good horn can hurt/kill you. They tend to be brought out so people can dodge them, jump over, etc. Mostly entertaining and fun. A few years ago, I was in the stands and some american first tried to rodeo one of these calfs. He was throw everything cups, papers, glass bottles, whistled (whistling here is like booing in the states) etc. by locals. The american thought it was actually a good thing and then tried to wrestle this small calf down, putting his arm around the calfs neck. In Spain animal cruelty is frowned up. Now this guy was huge but locals came after them to the point that they had to bring all the calf in the stables and police escorted (and arrested) the guy because it was turning nasty with people going after him, taking him down and just punching/kicking him.
* *Pissing in the street.* Year after year, the fines are getting higher…500€ Be warned. Years ago, it was a issue people public bathrooms were either few and far away and/or they were dirty as hell. Last year, it was pretty good and clean. I havent pissed in the street in SF for about 2 years as I dont see it necessary. Females will have to wait long lines though. This year, a liquid has been put on popular walls that people piss on that actually bounces off the wall and sprays you. Granted, I among others don’t care getting piss on us (trust me, everything is just dirty and nasty as fuck) but you marked and can be fined.
* *Eating* I recommend staying away from street cars. Ive seen them drop meat, put it on the bread and still serve people. Locals have even dropped water from their balconies to stop them serving food. There are thousands of places to eat. My recommendation is to eat OK. Look you spend over 50€ in booze, might as well eat something so your stomach doesnt fuck up the rest of your night.
* *Sleeping* I recommend sleeping in a proper private place. Besides the last point of robbing, dude by the 4th or 5th day, you are going to smell like complete shit and when you walk into a bar, people will tend to stay away by the sheer smell. Wash. Come on.
* *Respect property.* People are leaving bottles/cups on cars, throwing in buildings, etc. Come on, people live here. Either throw them in a bin or on the street. Every morning street sweepers come thru and leave the streets great and clean so its the best way to pick them up.
* *Sexual harassment.* If you touch a girl without her consent, you might get a ass kicking of a lifetime. Locals are getting really really uptight about this and they will defend a local Pamplonica girl without hesitation. This isnt the US where people laugh about it, no. You will get a asskicking and be left in the streets bleeding. Ive seen it and it is nasty.
There all signs like this: http://i.imgur.com/fzSdZHv.png
Again, do not fuck around with this or you will get fucked up.
* *Do not go around the city alone* Locals are very friendly and very helpful and will tend to any question you have. I suggest you ask them and they will help you and most will even tell you to come with them so you are not alone and can see the city. **Note this does not mean a girl wants to fuck you. See the above point**. Females tend to be very friendly. That being said, dont wander alone, more so at night. There are a couple of streets that are pretty nasty with some people that are just fucking jackasses and ruin it for everyone. If you find yourself alone, just go into a bar where at least you will be surrounded by people. Sitting down alone is also a big no-no. Big chance of **SLEEPING** and then anything….
* *Public sex.* Well, this is starting to get uncomfortable. People at night will tend to have sex anywhere: Parks (Yamaguchi, Vuelta del Castillo, etc), alleys, between cars, rontondas (roundabouts), etc. It is illegal but locals do it as well. My suggestion about this is first wear a condom (almost all bars will give you one free) and second, try to do it as far as away from public as possible so not only do children or people that are not interested have to go by you but for your own embarrassment.
* *Do other things*. People have a weird sense that everyone from here drinks all day and all night. This is false. There are plenty of activities to do or watch that are fun and free. Shoot at a gallery, listen to music, etc. There are people dressed in orange vests (naranjitos) that tend to be locals and know a lot of good recommendations. Talk to them. Sadly, a lot do not speak the best english so be patient.
* *Theft.* **Robbing here, locals or non locals, in San Fermines is HUGE** As a matter of fact, in June we have had a uncommon rise in robberies. Robbers do not care. They will run by you and snatch your purse, two will come up and one will ramble about a story while another (might be a child) will rob you, if you sleep in a public place, since you are basically passed out from being drunk, you are a easy target, etc. My personal tip is: Use a [fanny pack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanny_pack). Look it might be gay, nerd, etc. to use in the states but locals use it here regularly (even outside of SF). The idea is to wear the fanny pack UNDER your white tshirt. Very difficult to rob. Also obviously carry the least possible things: Keys to the hotel, money FOR THAT night, condoms and thats it. There are also these pants that have zippers in the right and left pockets. Again, difficult to steal. First day alone, over 100 cell phones have been reported as robbed/missing. You can go to the cops station to ask but…its a very long shot.
For now I think that is it. Please AMA and if it is a FAQ, Ill add it.
This was geared towards San Fermin. Offtopic questions will be ignored