RODEO Yee-haw!

Yesterday we took a trip to the Rodeo. The first time it has traveled to Romania apparently although it still managed to have an undeniable Romanian feel. It was much smaller than I expected and apparently not quite like Rodeo's in America (as I was told by my 2 American friends). Country music played between a weird mixture of 90's rock and metal and as soon as the rain started everyone disappeared and hid under the tents - yes we are not used to these weather conditions in August here, we must stop all proceedings! The rain, and what turned into a crazy thunderstorm, came in periods but let up enough for us to watch the bull riding. Adrenaline rush!! In true Romanian style there was just 2 sets of wobbly fence barriers separating the bull riders from us so after watching the first rider up close Cristi spent the rest of the show hidden behind me telling me "It's not funny mum I could be killed or at least get a red bottom if he decides to come out!" Although by the end he told me he'd like to ride a bull one day - hmmm I think we'll stick to the mechanical one shown below! It was a good day out though. Great fun to do something different and let our kids see a little of a different culture. Here's a bit of our day out.....

My Little Bull Rider

Hunk of beef anyone?

Rodeo Beauties

At the ranch

This little pony was giving rides to little ones until it went crazy and ran uncontrollably with a toddler on it - he spent the rest of the day tied up :(

A little scared - even though we live in a country where horses and carts are still on the road I don't think he has been quite this close before. 

My little Cowboy! He bought himself a REAL cowboy hat!

Sheltering from the rain

As were we - but it won't stop us smiling!

So was this guy

The bulls - looking quite docile before the riding began

O.K. Corral

Another downpour

I had neither a cowboy hat or an umbrella but hey when you're Scottish what's torrential rain when you have a plastic bag and a front row view of the bull riding ring?!

Bull Rider

The perils of Bull riding. This Cowboy got his hand stuck in the rope and proceeded to get stamped on by his bull - eek! Scary to watch. But, although he was carried of on a stretcher he came back to bow to show the crowd he was OK.