The Bull Fighting Obsession

While the bull run in Pamplona, Spain looks and sounds fairly violent, the
positive connotation that comes with the whole bullfighting scene is unique to
Spain. There is an evident passion for the bullfighters, fiestas, and bulls that
accompany the fights. On page 136, Jake tells that "an aficionado is one who is
passionate about the bull-fights. All the good bull-fighters stayed at Montoya's
hotel; that is, those with aficion stayed there." This alone links Montoya to
passion for bullfighting since he tends to let the 'aficionados' stay with him;
however, Jake dives into an anecdote about the photographs Montoya kept and the
pride he had for bull-fighters at his hotel. Bull-fighting isn't a game to him,
and Montoya respects Jake for thinking the same way. Montoya also feels the need
to protect Pedro Romero, since he was an aficionado. When Romero starts turning
towards Brett and the Americans, Montoya begins to avoid eye-contact with Jake.
He can't forgive Jake for the interference Jake may have caused in Romero's
passion for fighting with the passion for Brett.

I found it interesting the culture that comes along with the bullfights and how there is not a direct translation. Page 177 tells of the importance of the bull run and fights in Pamplona, Spain. It's almost untouchable to the outside world; the English think it would be called Corrida de toros, or running of the bulls. The French call it the Course do taureaux, but "there is no Spanish word for bull-fight," making the event almost sacred.