FYI--If There Are No More Blog Post's After Today, It Is Probably Because I Have Died, And Hopefully Have Gone To Heaven.

The bullfighting season at Plaza de Toros in Mexico City Official site doesn't officially start until November and I have been eagerly and patiently waiting to go when Pablo Hermoso make's an appearance. Friday after the magnificent Independence Day celebration in Mexico City, I decided I couldn't wait for November, and I had to at least see the Plaza. When I arrived, the gates were locked up tight. I walked around in the still quite looking at the magnificent statues honoring former greats, like Juan Belmonte, Joselito, Carlos Aruzza, etc. etc. For me it was as moving as the first time I saw Madison Square Garden when I appeared with the Ringling show in 1984. As luck would have it, I spotted a security guard through the barred gates, and with the aid of a Montezuma(100 peso bill) convinced him to let me in. First thing I spotted was a statue to the great Manolete. The guard spoke a bit of English, and I now speak a bit of Spanish and as he was explaining the history of various greats that had appeared at the Plaza to me, he was somewhat surprised as I was filling in the blanks for him exclaiming, "Americano, you have studied the bulls!!!!" He then asked me if I wanted to go inside and look at the actual ring. I couldn't believe my good fortune as we walked through the door and I looked down upon the largest bullring in the world, empty and devoid of people!!!!!! The size is hard to imagine. The guard smiled as a tear welled in my eye, and he said, "Is magnifico, no?" I had to sit down as I replied, "imagine the men who have walked in that sand." I then noticed, far down below, off to one side 3 young men charging each other with one of those horn's mounted on a bicycle tire deals and going over the top for a kill. I asked the guard what that was about and he informed me that they were three young matadors who were going to be appearing for their "novillada" on the 18th(today) A novillada is a bullfighters first professional fight with bull's no older then 4, before receiving their "alternative" which is when a bullfighter is given the status of Matador. Imagine being able to practice at Madison Square Garden for your first appearance as a Tiger Trainer as well as assisting other up and coming trainers like yourself to prepare for that moment. I asked if I could go down and talk with these young men and I was permitted to. When I introduced myself and explained why I was in Mexico, they were thrilled to meet a "entrenador de animales" and invited me to come to their novillada as their guest. That's where I will be today at 4:oo PM central time. Sitting smack in the middle of Monumental Plaza watching three fine young men, full of hopes and dreams for greatness either sink or swim. It is hard at the moment to imagine anything more wonderful.