The exit of the peñas

The spirits of the crowd now reach a climax at the finish of the bullfights. The loud raucous crowd form disorderly behind the different brass bands of the "Peñas" in the middle of the arena and prepare to be led out by the music, singing and dancing behind whichever band they have chosen to follow.

It´s certainly a sight to see, as the ragged, wine-stained but happy horde head out into the streets dancing behind the slow-marching brass bands.

The high-spirited crowd has been well nourished by all their eating and drinking during the bullfights and their excitement is contagious when they hit the streets. However, if you haven´t been through the same experience in the stadium as they have, you may feel a bit "cold" about joining them as they move slowly through the streets outside the ring. They have been well-oiled by all that has gone on during the fights, the noise, the pushing, the sweating, the drinking, the flour-fights; the whole experience has set the tone for their exuberance and if you have not been part of it, it may be difficult to enter into the spirit of the thing.

The "Peñas" march in a disorded file towards the nearly Main Square of the town. Here, they spread out in different directions, each one heading towards their own club, but on a meandering route that could take several hours to cover what is in fact a very short distance It all depends on how much they want to "party" in the street.

The sight is worthing seeing as the wild, ragged and drunken crowd create a din and exuberance and expend an incredible amount of energy dancing and singing for several hours. Many people have been soberly waiting along the streets for the "Peñas" to make their exit from the ring and many people, even mothers with their young children join in behind the marching bands despite the fact that they have shared the same "spirits" as the "Peñas" inside the ring.

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