This summer, AFP Photographer Rafa Rivas captured French bullfighter Sebastian Castella Turzack being lifted by this Nunez de Cuvillo bull at the San Fermin fiesta in Pamplona, Spain.

The bullfights are said to be the most unique in all of Spain due to the festive atmosphere surrounding the nine days of cultural celebration.

In Southern France and Spain, bullfighters are superstars. The only other celebrities in these countries that have a higher status are soccer players.

Some Matadors are the master of the cape work but they have a difficult time killing the bull. Others face the danger head on. Or in this case, from the back side.

Have you ever considered taking part in the Fiesta de San Fermin and experience the "Running of the Bulls"?

If 2005 could be your year, the time to be there is from July 6th - 14th.

Phil Ross first started going to the northern Spanish city of Pamplona over thirty years ago. His first experience "running with the bulls" was in 1972.

He was so inspired by the experience that he started the Scarlet Macaw "Adventures in Travel" business, in part, so that he could continue to return every year, and in part, to be able to share even "one day in the life of the fiesta" with others.

Ross said, "This is one trek everyone should make at least once in their lives."

"There is no other adventure, skydiving included, that produces such an adrenaline rush," he said.

Many have described it as "the best week you can live on the planet."

Ross described the photo of Sebastian Castella Turzack as a classic. He said:

It shows that Turzack was smart enough to grab the bull by the horn as it hit him.

This was his debut appearance in the Plaza de Toros de Pamplona and he was lucky to survive the encounter with the toro bravo named Aguaclara, a 570 kilo (1254 lb.) black bull from the Nunez del Cuvillo ranch.

Castella is a 21 year old matador from Beziers, France, who has only been fighting for 4 years, but was good enough to be invited to fight in Pamplona. Perhaps he'll be invited back next year because the bull fights that day where good.

One of the other matadors, El Fandi, was awarded the prize for the best cape work during this year's feria which means the bulls where very spirited, as the picture shows.

The Scarlet Macaw's past clients include a wide range of people from all walks of life including doctors, lawyers, brokers, bankers, accountants, plumbers, business executives, journalists and a retired matador.

Some have asked to get in the bull ring. Others have requested a meeting with the town mayor. In every circumstance, Ross has been able to deliver. He prides himself on going the extra mile for his clients.

Hilary Hemingway, along with members of the Hemingway Society, joined the group in 2003. At the time, she was in Pamplona working on her documentary about the lives of her uncle, Ernestand her father, Leicester.

Ross has specifically attracted a wealthy and discerning following of people who are interested in fabulous lodging, food and Spanish wine, but who are most interested in being where the action is.

After thirty-three years, Ross knows when and where to find all four.

The main hotel he books each year is located in the center of the fiesta, on the edge of the old quarter, a few minutes walk from the Plaza del Castillo, the Plaza de Toros and the Parque de la Cuidadela, where the fireworks, "fuegos artificiales", are held nightly.

For families, he recommends staying at one of the selected Casa Rurals (country homes) located just outside the city.

For 8,000 euros he can set up six people in a Casa Rural for ten days and nine nights which includes one breakfast and a balcony view of the "Encierro" (the moving of the bulls).

The hotel rooms are more expensive but you are closer to the morning, afternoon and night life, as well as the concerts and festivities that take place into the wee hours of the following day.

Scarlet Macaw can also get you V.I.P. Balcony tickets for the "Encierro" including breakfast after the encierro for 85 euros / person + 16% IVA.

Ross never actually recommends you "run with the bulls." In fact, he has you sign a waiver that protects his business from being held liable. However, if you do "go for it," he highly suggests watching his video before going to Spain and observing from the balcony, once you get there, before getting in the action.

If you're looking for a book to inspire you, Ross suggests "Pamplona: Running The Bulls, Bars & Barrios in Fiesta de San Fermin" by Ray Mouton.

James A. Michener, a Pulitzer winning author of Iberia said, "This book is the next best thing to going to Pamplona itself."

And Robert Trout, Former Senior Correspondent for ABC said, "After this no one need read nor write anything of Pamplona again."

An Annual Cultural Tradition

The annual, ancient festival is a family-oriented affair.

The people of Pamplona, young and old, take part in the cultural events throughout the nine-days.

Those from this native land experience a rite of passage that their young children go through. When their babies attach their pacifers to the giant heads parading around the town they are communicating that they are graduating to the next phase of life -- no longer dependent on their teething ring.

The Pamplona festival honors the city's patron saint, San Fermin and includes fireworks, parades, music, dances, and religious ceremonies.

The "running of the bulls" and bullfights are just one small -- albeit famous -- part of Spain's annual celebration.

It is said to have all begun when 13th-century butchers ran slightly ahead of the bulls to be well placed to buy the bulls for slaughter.

In the late 1800s, the annual activity had become a well-established tradition.

However, it was not until Ernest Hemingway's 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises that the adventure became popular among foreigners.

In 1924, the town began recording the number of deaths that resulted from San Fermin bull runs. Fourteen deaths, fifty-seven serious encierro-related injuries, and 11 gorings was the last count recorded between 1924-2004.

The run takes only three minutes but will require a siesta afterwards.

Even marathoners and track sprinters will attest to this fact. Since the run takes place first thing in the morning there is plenty of time to take in the adventures of bullfighters like Sebastian Castella, as well as all of the other festivities.