A Note on the Corrida

This is an event that marked me and jumped out of the usual care-free aspect of Fallas, so I'd like to comment on it a little more, as I think the different opinions are interesting!
I bought a ticket for the corrida with friends knowing well and good that I did not support the idea of paying to watch an animal suffer and die, but going along with the Spanish custom during fiestas to come out of your comfort zone and do things you would never otherwise do. I figured, as such a huge part of the culture, I'd give it a go, and then either change my opinion or solidify it. 
Rest assured, I still am against the idea and frankly think the tradition, as old as it is, should be modified in some way. However, one thing I would like to share, because it suprised me, is that there DOES exist a unique relationship between the torrero and the toro he is trained to kill between the obvious one of dominator/dominated. 

If you look in the picture above, the torrero is kneeling down facing the torro, and has placed his hand on the toro's nose to calm him. Though I closed my eyes during all these scenes because I couldn't bear to watch the despair and final surrendering of the toro, I have to admit that that scene brought to my attention another emotion between the two, of respect. The torero does not hate the toro, he doesn't look down on the toro, but it seems that the two dance a black tango that must end in one dying, and both know it. The torero seemed to thank the toro for allowing him to live off of this art, seemed to praise him for his strength and robust fight, and that alieved at least a little bit the dread I had been feeling at reaching this stage in each fight. 
I think it is extremly important to take our stands in life over various issues, and keep grounded to our morals, but to also try to understand everything we disagree with, and to learn that, even in the moments when we are the most against something, there may be a very small glimmer of respect, art, or emotion that can be garnered, if one looks very, very closely through her fingers.
And then, if you've done that and you're still grounded in your beliefs, then you've proven yourself a firm supporter for your cause. And that's extremely respectable!