El Txupinazo, or "Let's throw a lot of things at a lot of people" party

Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise.  Great on burgers, even better for throwing at people.  Wine and champagne?  Good to drink, better to spray people with in large quantities.  The txupinazo, or chupinazo (tx is Basque-speak) started off the week of festivities for San Fermin, or Running of the Bulls.  At 12 pm on Monday, July 6, City Hall (el Ayuntamiento) sets off a huge rocket that officially marks the start of the festival.  Everyone puts on their red pañuelos (neck scarves) and sprays everyone with wine and champagne and water.  If you're in front of the Ayuntamiento, you're basically in a giant, dangerous, and wet mosh pit.  I got the picture above off MSNBC...it just shows you how many people were there! So we chose to stay in Plaza del Castillo, where other food types are allowed to be thrown, creating a huger mess.  And, of course, Rule #1 is to wear all white...and expect it to be ruined.  There's no way you're leaving the chupinazo clean.  It's just not happening.  As you can see, we have both before and after pictures...pretty crazy.  

After the chupinazo, we all headed down to Calle Estafeta, which was basically a huge street party and a bunch of bars with DJs.  Some Spanish guy spent 25 euros to buy us all hats. Obviously, the love was flowing.    After an afternoon nap, a long shower and some clean clothes, we went back out to watch fireworks, which was probably the best show I've ever seen.  Sorry, Kirkwood, but your fireworks don't really compare.  I don't even think St. Louis could top this...