At noon today, the mayor of Pamplona officially opened the San Fermin Festival.  The crowd downed the traditional red handkerchiefs around their necks in remembrance of the beheading of their beloved saint.

With one of the best seats in the house, we watched as thousands of people crammed into the town square, dousing each other in wine, turned their white clothes purple.  The energy was palpable.  We could feel it; we could see it as the crowed surged and flowed like a raging river; we could hear it as they all chanted in unison, "Pamplona, Pamplona, Viva San Fermin!"

The party has officially started! (not that anyone needed to tell them to start.)

Tomorrow, Five Ten runs with the bulls!