Not long to go ...
Not long to go ...
© Maite Hernández
© Maite Hernández
© Maite Hernández
Alcohol is of the leading protagonists of the Sanfermin fiestas. Beer, Kalimotxo and other stronger drinks are present night and day at a celebration where drink in all its forms - from the sparkling cava drinks of the txupinazo to the elegant sherries drunk at the pens in the bullring - is available to all, without distinction of nationality, sex, or even, sometimes, age.
The most consumed alcoholic drink during Sanfermin is, without a doubt, beer which goes down well night or day. But there are also occasions for other drinks. The Kalimotxo combination of coke and wine is very popular, especially among the younger crowd. Then there are the mixers, rum and coke, whiskey, gin and vodka - particularly popular lately. Then there are the sangria offerings in a tetra-brick - only consumed by the foreigners and looked down upon by the locals. These are the drinks being consumed during these fiesta days, according to distinct bars along Jarauta Street.
Any of these drinks, consumed in great excess, could turn into a serious problem for the drinker. From the 6th to the morning of the 13th , 54 have already been treated by The Red Cross for ethylic intoxications. Yesterday, Saturday was the worst day so far with fifteen people needing treatment. In any case, according to The Red Cross, this year is not as bad as some previous ones.
In previous years there was a special premises for this specific purpose - the famous "cocktail-room" -located at the Vazquez de Mella College. However, this 2008, intoxications from alcohol are taken to the Doctor San Martin Clinic, where there is a treatment room. Here, vitamin B is administered to the patient through a drip in order to reduce the alcoholic effect. When the patients have slept it off and are half way sober again, they are sent home. But for sure, they still have one hell of a hangover. In the case of drinkers suffering an ethylic coma, they are sent directly to hospital.
