Jack London and a group of students traveled to Pamplona, Spain to experience the Running of the Bulls festival. During their trip, Jack proved to be very adventurous by participating in multiple mornings of running with the bulls despite injuring his ankle. The group enjoyed exploring the city of Pamplona and learning about its history and culture. By the end of the trip, the students felt lucky to have spent time with someone as enthusiastic about life as Jack London.

1. Jack and our gang in Spain “ I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.” Jack London

3. Ms. Blood’s 9 th -12 th grade Integrated Studies class

5. “ The Running of the Bulls” is a part of the two week Fiesta de San Fermin, held in honor of the patron saint of the province Navarre, of which Pamplona is the capital.

10. July 5 th : Ben spent 3 hours pawing through lost luggage, trying to find the one suitcase he so carefully packed for this trip! Hating crowds, Jack got annoyed and found a “quiet spot” in the airport to wait. Luckily, Ben was able to locate his bag and we hopped a train and headed to our destination!

11. July 6 th : We were so tired when we arrived yesterday that as soon as we got to our little apartment most of us headed for bed. Of course, Jack headed for the local “watering hole.” No one’s sure what time he got in but it’s almost noon and he’s still comatose! We plan to walk around the town this afternoon to – as Jack says, “Check out the best place to hang with the bulls!” Ms. Blood seems a little hesitant. We overheard her say the thought of 1500 pounds of roast beef chasing her down a narrow little street isn’t exactly her idea of a fun time!

12. $1600 p/night ~12 nights = $19,200.

13. Street in Old Town with fences erected to protect spectators.

14. One of the very narrow streets along the path where bulls and runners compete for space!

15. Entrance to the arena where the bullfights will take place.

17. Brad, Ben and Jack at the opening ceremonies

19. Receiving permission to wear the red bandana

20. “ Parade of the Giants” began in 19 th century. Honors King and Queen of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. Here are the King and Queen of Spain.

21. Parade of Giants continues through the crowded streets .

24. Name Miura best known outside the world of bullfighting thanks to Lamborghini sports car maker. Several models named after this bull breed.

25. Miura breed demonstrating their ferocity.

26. Holding area: notice small exitway for bulls

27. You can run but you cannot hide!

28. July 9 th : This is Paul, a young German Jack met in the crush of the opening ceremony. This is his third time in Pamplona and the second time he’s actually “run with the bulls.” He said he was too “freaked” on his first trip to try it! Luckily Paul wasn’t seriously hurt in this “collision” but he did say it was enough “machismo” for him – he spent the rest of the trip watching the fun from our balcony!

29. The best – and safest – views are to be had from one of the dozens of balconies that line the festival course. Balconies are available for rent from apartment owners. Prices range from $120 to $155 per day. Very expensive considering the run lasts about 20-30 seconds!

30. July 10 th : This is the little “tapas” bar across the street from our apartment. A tapas bar typically serves a variety of what we would call appetizers. For one price, we could fill our plates as many times as we liked, sampling all the delicious foods of Spain!

32. A dangerous “pile-up”

33. Medical help was available all along the route. Most injuries were minor bruises and scrapes received from falling or crashing into walls to avoid the charging bulls .

34. July 11 th : It’s hard to tell but the arrow is pointing out a nasty spill Jack took this morning. He managed to scramble away from the charging bull but he did sprain his ankle. Of course, that won’t stop Jack! We’re having a hard time keeping up with this guy! Tomorrow’s run should be pretty interesting!

35. July 11 th : As the name above the door indicates, this is a pharmacy. Jack was able to get ACE bandages and an ice bag to “play doctor” to his rapidly swelling ankle. Two of the students asked Mr. London why he was so determined to keep participating in so many risky activities and he reminded us of one of his most famous passages: “I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”

37. July 12 th : No one should really laugh – Jack could have been seriously hurt! But, here he is again, dodging the thundering hooves of a half-dozen raging bulls! Once the beasts had passed him by he leapt to his feet, a mile-wide grin beaming across his face!

38. Fences also act as “escape” ladders !

39. An “eager” Miura entering the stadium!

40. Every afternoon, bullfights follow the “running.”

41. July 17 th : We’re on the plane, heading back to Philadelphia. This had to be one of the most exciting – but exhausting – trips that most of us have ever experienced! Jack London proved to be an adventurous spirit with non-stop energy! He missed only two mornings “with the bulls” and that was simply because he had to stay off his ankle – it had swollen to twice it’s normal size and he couldn’t get his shoe on! The rules governing the run clearly state that all runners must wear shoes … so, we spent those two mornings on our apartment balcony, drinking the darkest, strongest coffee ever brewed on Earth while Jack … well, leave it to your imagination as to how Jack passed the time! But, he entertained us with stories from his youth – sailing the South Seas and nearly freezing to death in the Yukon. We consider ourselves to be the luckiest people alive to have had the opportunity to spend this time with someone so enthusiastic about life!