Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.

Roomorama and Pamplona’s dark side

BY ONEIKA RAYMOND

While I had a great time at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, the city also had a dark side I didn’t like. Pamplona is synonymous with heavy partying, and I’ve never been the party girl type.  At least not the hardcore partying type.  I love to dance, but I don’t drink alcohol (and if I’m being perfectly honest, I am mildly repulsed by people who get staggeringly inebriated for kicks).  You will never catch me out until dawn- in my mind, a “late night out” constitutes me in my jammys and  in the warm cocoon of my bed by 1 a.m.   Perhaps this is why the heavy party side of Pamplona and I did not mix.  All night parties and wasteful, alcohol-soaked debauchery was the name of the game, at least at the start of the festival when the tourists take over. I didn’t dig it. Roomorama, official sponsor for our Girls Running with Bulls project, helped me come to this realization.

How so? Our Roomorama flat, nestled in Pamplona’s historic old town put us right in the thick of all the action and allowed me to experience first hand what I considered to be the ugly side of Pamplona’s party scene.  Don’t get me wrong, were I “into” this scene it would have been a match made in heaven.  But, as I divulged in my 7 travel truths, it’s just not my thing.  As it were, the flat was amazing in that it backed right on to a path that gave stunning views onto the newer part of Pamplona:

P1170216

P1170206
We also had the luxury of getting everywhere on foot.  The architecture of Pamplona is impressive and the buildings were decked out in all their finery for the festival. I sincerely enjoyed meandering through the beautiful winding streets of this part of the city.
P1170063
But then there was the downside. Our flat was smaller than expected and a tad worn, it burst at the seams when introduced to our strong personalities and large suitcases. And then outside of the flat quickly turned from quaint to unappealing as revellers (mostly foreign) partied the festival away, binge drinking and loud talking as days turned to night, thumping music making the walls of our centrally located flat vibrate.

P1170015

Now, I repeat, if I were a partier I would have loved the convivial atmosphere.  People were laughing, joyful,  positive, and the vibe was electric. I wonder if I am a stick in the mud, a fuddy duddy, for speaking ill of what seemed to be a really good time for many.  But I just can’t get down with excessive drinking I saw.  Not at all.

P1170085
As for Roomorama, they did good, succeeding at the Herculean task of securing lodging for our girl group when we were certain that we would be sleeping in the streets.  The popularity of the San Fermin festival combined with the petite size of Pamplona ensures that there is a severe lack of accommodation on offer- if you don’t book early you risk sleeping rough.  Acquiring a short term rental apartment through Roomorama makes sense since splitting the cost of an apartment between friends is way more cost effective than staying in a hotel. Also remember that staying in an apartment means that you save money on food if you so choose- no need to spend money at restaurants when you can buy groceries and prepare food in the kitchen at your temporary home.

But back to the hardcore partying. Large trucks resembling zambonis washed the streets every morning, but the air still hung heavy with the scent of alcohol and vomit. I saw people passed out just beyond my doorstep, absolutely destroyed after “big nights out”.  I saw human excrement smeared in a doorway. Someone was so ill, so desperate, that they went to the toilet in the street, like an animal. I was appalled beyond words. I wondered, as I always do, how people can do this to themselves. Am I missing something here? Is this fun?
P1170087

Before you dismiss Pamplona, however, it wasn’t all about drinking.  There was a huge contingent of local families who came out with their children and had good, clean fun.  Smiling, cajoling, dancing.  By far that was my favourite part.
P1170036
I understand that people have different means of enjoying themselves, and frankly, it is their right to do as they please, as long as they don’t do themselves or others any harm.  But as I said, while I loved my time in Pamplona, I didn’t like this part one bit.

 

Am I being too harsh? Is getting wasted just good fun? Have you ever been to a place where hardcore partying is a large part of the experience?

P1170195

Roomorama was our exclusive accommodation provider in Pamplona. All opinions are mine.

SHARING IS CARING

263 Comments

  • I completely agree! Though I haven’t been to Pamploma and would love to go, for the reasons you mention above, all of my travels in Europe have found me avoiding certain groups of tourists like the plague, Though everyone is entitled to do what they like on holiday, I hate to think what other observers of these groups think as we tend to all get lumped together. Have you been to La Tomatina? Apparently that’s exactly the same.

  • While I would definitely enjoy the party scene in Pamplona, I do prefer to wake up indoors and have a recollection of the night. There’s a reason no one ever wakes up in the morning and says, “Man, I wish I’d had more to drink last night….”

  • While there definitely is a lot of partying going on in Pamplona (there was a constant street party under my balcony), like you say, there are a lot of other things going on, much of it quite family friend, by which I was slightly surprised.

    I do admit, I do occasionally like to party, and I did enjoy partying in Pamplona, and it sometimes went quite late. But I think my days of getting completely wasted are behind me by now, so I was quite happy to always get back to an actual bed instead of falling asleep on the street 🙂

  • Oneika, I’m definitely with you on this one. I do enjoy drinking, especially when it’s nice wine, and I love going out dancing, but even when I was a student, I never really got the whole “it’s a good night if you vomit and can’t remember the rest of it” mentality. In fact, I’d go further and say that if people are leaving vomit and excrement all over the streets for someone else to clean up, it’s no longer an “each to their own” situation, it’s just nasty. It particularly bothers me when it’s tourists doing it in a country which otherwise has more civilized drinking habits – did you feel that was the case in Spain or were locals doing it to?

    I love the “family friendly” picture – so adorable!

  • Personally I still think I’m stuck between wanting to party my heart out but also not overloading on the booze while at it. Yes its all fun and all to drink and have fun, but personally I think if there is music and I’m having a blast I won’t even remember about the alcohol. Glad you know your likes and dislikes, that is so important!

  • Wow that sounds wild, I myself cannot call myself a wild party girl. How did you find the whole running with bulls event?? I am so curious. I just got back from Sevilla and I went to a bullfight and I was shocked. I mean I am glad I went as it is a huge part of Spanish culture but it is a cruel tradition in my opinion. And I say this after being a witness to such a tradition. If you want you can see pictures from my experience here: http://marthafenech.blogspot.com/2012/10/torero-torero.html

  • I definitely enjoy drinking and consider sampling the local beer, wine, spirits, etc. a part of my travels. I love a good night out of some drinking and dancing; I had some particularly fun nights out in Colombia recently. However, I never, ever want to get to the point of blacking out, throwing up, or not being able to remember parts of the evening. “Everything in moderation” is how I like to drink, and how I like to live my life! I know my limits and I think I´m mature enough to know when enough is enough. It´s unfortunate that some unruly partiers can ruin an image of a place!

  • I don’t think you’re being too harsh. I am with you on this one. Not really a partier. I will enjoy an occasional drink but I think if someone needs to drink to the point that they cannot function properly, that’s a big problem.
    I have ended a few relationships for that reason.

  • I am partial to a drink of three I have to admit. I used to be a 24 hour party gal. But as I approach 30 I have gone off those vomit inducing days and nothing more so than working behind a bar in New Zealand and watching perfectly respectable people become blithering idiots with an undue amount of drink… Kiwi’s are insane! Pamplona looks interesting…thanks Oneika

    • Thanks for reading, Kiri! It does seem to be the younger ones getting wasted mostly, isn’t it…

  • Rough match for you, I’ll agree. Even as someone who drinks, sometimes getting into hot water as a result, my tolerance for what you might call party people is about zero. That’s really just a culture clash, tho. I don’t like you blaring techno and falling down on me, you don’t like me getting in your face and calling you an asshole. Fair enough.

    Most of why I shudder at the thought of staying in a hostel is because I always envision hordes of dreadlocked backpackers hitting the clubs, sleazing on the locals and passing out in various states of ruin between me and the toilet. At least you had your own personal hovel. I’m not sure you can blame the place you ended up at– if the walls were shaking there they were probably shaking throughout the middle of town. Hopefully the residents of Pamplona only have to deal with this once a year.

    As for the streets, in all their shit-stained glory… In a way I’m glad these people have minor league stupidity to blame for their behavior. I’ve lived in places where people living like animals in the street is a nightly reality, along with people shooting each other and other fun times. I’m guessing 99% of the Pamplona revelers have never come from a place, or will fall into a place, where their lives will be defined by inhumanity, self abuse, debasement and destruction. Even if their addled self-discovery and cheap formative years make for an annoying spectacle, they could be much worse.

    That’s not easy for me to admit.

    • Brendan, I ALWAYS enjoy your comments, you rock! And totally agree with you re: your last point. It’s sad and disgusting.

  • Drinking until oblivion or until you become sick is not my idea of a good time. I enjoy a drink or two, but I really hate overdoing it!

  • I think people need to reach their own limits with respect to alcohol. Many people use it, for sure, they use it to feel relaxed, to lose their inhibitions, to fit it with others. But nothing is going to make them feel any less awkward until they reach that decision themselves. Me? I choose to stay far away from any location where people are renowned for massive amounts of drugs or alcohol but that’s up to me, I’m not judging others.

    • I hear you. I hate to get all judgy, but when I see people endangering themselves and others it’s so hard not to get involved!

  • You really make it appear really easy along with your
    presentation however I to find this topic to be really something that
    I feel I might never understand. It kind of feels too complex and extremely wide for me.

    I’m having a look ahead to your subsequent submit, I’ll attempt
    to get the dangle of it!

  • Hi everybody, here every person is sharing these
    knowledge, thus it’s good to read this weblog, and I used to go to see this webpage every day.

  • I enjoy reading through a post that will make men and women think.
    Also, many thanks for permitting me to comment!

  • Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as
    I provide credit and sources back to your website? My website is in the exact
    same niche as yours and my visitors would certainly benefit from
    a lot of the information you present here. Please let me know if this okay with you.

    Thank you!

  • I appreciate, lead to I discovered exactly what I used to be
    having a look for. You have ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you
    man. Have a nice day. Bye

  • My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP.
    I have always disliked the idea because of the costs.
    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on a variety
    of websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform.
    I have heard very good things about blogengine.net.

    Is there a way I can import all my wordpress content into it?
    Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  • Hey, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog in Firefox, it looks fine but when opening in Internet
    Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
    Other then that, very good blog!

  • Greetings! This is my first visit to your blog!
    We are a team of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche.
    Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!

  • This design is spectacular! You certainly know how to keep a reader
    amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Excellent job.

    I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
    Too cool!

  • I think the admin of this site is genuinely working hard in favor of his web page, since here every stuff is quality based information.

  • Spot on with this write-up, I really believe that this web site needs far more attention. I’ll probably be returning to
    read through more, thanks for the information!

  • I like it when individuals come together and share
    opinions. Great blog, keep it up!

  • I’m curious to find out what blog system you happen to be working with?

    I’m experiencing some minor security issues with my latest
    site and I would like to find something more safe. Do you
    have any suggestions?

  • It is truly a nice and useful piece of info. I am glad that you
    just shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this.

    Thanks for sharing.

  • This is a good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere.
    Simple but very precise information… Appreciate your sharing this one.
    A must read post!

  • Hmm it looks like your blog ate my first comment
    (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying
    your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole
    thing. Do you have any tips and hints for first-time blog writers?
    I’d certainly appreciate it.

  • Wow that was strange. I just wrote an very long comment but after I
    clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr…
    well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say superb blog!

  • I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish.

    nonetheless, you command get bought an nervousness over that you
    wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably
    come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot
    often inside case you shield this increase.

  • I’m pretty pleased to find this great site. I need to to thank you for ones time for this particularly wonderful read!!

    I definitely liked every part of it and i also have you saved to fav to check out new
    things on your web site.

  • My programmer is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP.
    I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses.

    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on a number of
    websites for about a year and am nervous about switching to
    another platform. I have heard fantastic things about blogengine.net.
    Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress content into it?

    Any help would be really appreciated!

  • I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and interesting,
    and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head.
    The problem is something not enough men and women are speaking intelligently about.

    Now i’m very happy that I found this during my search for something regarding this.

  • I got this site from my friend who shared with me concerning
    this web site and at the moment this time I am
    browsing this site and reading very informative articles or reviews at this time.

  • I was recommended this website by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as
    no one else know such detailed about my difficulty.
    You’re amazing! Thanks!

  • I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this website.
    I really hope to check out the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well.
    In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to
    get my own, personal blog now 😉

  • This design is wicked! You obviously know how to keep
    a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to
    start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Excellent job. I really enjoyed what you had to say,
    and more than that, how you presented it.
    Too cool!

  • I visited several blogs except the audio quality for audio songs current at this site is genuinely fabulous.

  • Thanks on your marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author.
    I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and may come back in the future.
    I want to encourage continue your great job, have
    a nice weekend!

  • whoah this weblog is fantastic i love studying your posts.
    Keep up the great work! You already know, a lot of
    persons are hunting round for this info, you can aid them greatly.

  • I am regular visitor, how are you everybody? This paragraph posted at this website is
    genuinely fastidious.

  • Pretty element of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to claim that I
    get in fact loved account your weblog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to
    your augment or even I achievement you get right of entry to constantly rapidly.

  • I conceive this site has some real excellent info for everyone :D. “Time–our youth–it never really goes, does it It is all held in our minds.” by Helen Hoover Santmyer.

  • When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each timea comment is added I get several emails with the same comment.Is there any way you can remove people from that service?Thank you!

  • You can definitely see your enthusiasm within the work you write. The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart.

  • Hello There. I discovered your blog the usage of msn. This is a very well written article.I will be sure to bookmark it and return toread more of your useful information. Thanks for the post.I will definitely comeback.

  • Two fortunate Granite Staters are now millionaires soon after winning the lottery more than the weekend.

  • Currently it seems like BlogEngine is the best blogging platform outthere right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?Here is my blog; seeds prior

  • There is a huge distinction in between stainless-steel as well as chrome

  • Does anyone know if I am able to purchase JUSTKRATOM Red Maeng Da Kratom Capsules (justkratomstore.com) from American Pure Vapor, 1830 NE Pine Island Road #110, Cape Coral, FL, 33909?

  • We admire poker gamers who produced on their own to the leading, winning each tournament they get in. This also functions as 1 of the most essential poker suggestions while taking part in the sport.

  • We decide that which you go back home to move you haveto be considered a some sum in the really reason becomes dangling out as asuperior think they live shell out.

  • I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought thispost was great. I don’t know who you are but certainlyyou’re going to a famous blogger if you are not already Cheers!Check out my blog: Erexzen Reviews

  • You can certainly see your skills within the work you write. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. At all times follow your heart.

  • A fascinating discussion is definitely worth comment. I do think that you should publish more on this issue, it may not be a taboo subject but usually people don’t speak about such topics. To the next! Kind regards!!

  • Now I am ready to do my breakfast, afterward having my breakfast coming again to readadditional news.

  • I’m unemployed progesterone suppositories and period cramps Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday, but the battle would falter if it becomes consumed by sectarian division or Islamophobia.

  • Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  • Thank you for the good writeup. It if truth be told used to be a enjoyment account it. Look complex to far introduced agreeable from you! However, how can we communicate?

  • Whereabouts in are you from? ashwagandha constipation “In our study, most relationships were not as important for boys as they were for girls,” says study co-author Laura Padilla-Walker

  • great issues altogether, you just gained a brand newreader. What would you recommend in regards to yourpost that you just made a few days in the past? Any sure?

  • Wow that was strange. I just wrote an incrediblylong comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say superb blog!

  • I am so grateful for your blog article.Much thanks again. Will read on…

  • Thank you, I’ve recently been looking for info approximatelythis topic for a while and yours is the greatest I’ve discovered till now.But, what concerning the conclusion? Are you certain concerning the supply?

  • Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always interesting to read through articles from other writers and use a little something from their websites.

  • Hi there i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anywhere, when i read this article i thought i could also make comment due to this brilliant paragraph.

  • I must thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I really hope to see the same high-grade blog posts by you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own, personal site now 😉

  • Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out alot. I hope to give something back and aid others likeyou aided me.

  • always i used to read smaller articles which also clear their motive, and that is also happening with this article which I am reading at this place.

  • My brother suggested I would possibly like this blog.He used to be entirely right. This put up truly made my day.You cann’t imagine simply how so much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!

  • Hi, I do believe this is an excellent website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I may revisit once again since I saved as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide others.

  • You are so interesting! I do not think I have read through a single thing like this before. So nice to find somebody with some original thoughts on this subject matter. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This site is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality.

  • Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic blog post.Much thanks again. Awesome.

  • Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful &it helped me out much. I hope to give something back andhelp others like you helped me.

  • Hi! I’ve been following your blog for a long time now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Humble Tx! Just wanted to tell you keep up the good work!

  • An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a co-worker who had been doing a little research on this. And he actually bought me lunch simply because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to discuss this topic here on your web page.

  • I needed to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every bit of it. I have got you saved as a favorite to check out new things you postÖ

  • Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot.I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.

  • I¡¦ll right away seize your rss as I can not in finding your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Please let me recognise in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.

  • Hello there, simply was aware of your blog via Google, and found that it is truly informative. I am going to be careful for brussels. I’ll be grateful in case you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited out of your writing. Cheers!

  • This blog was… how do you say it? Relevant!! FinallyI have found something that helped me. Cheers!

  • An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a co-worker who had been conducting a little homework on this. And he in fact ordered me dinner because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending some time to talk about this subject here on your site.

  • I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both equally educative and interesting, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is an issue that not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy I came across this in my search for something regarding this.

  • Currently it looks like Movable Type is the preferred blogging platform out there right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?

  • Hello, all is going sound here and ofcourse every one is sharing facts, that’s really excellent,keep up writing.My blog – best fridges

  • A fascinating discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you should write more about this subject matter, it may not be a taboo matter but usually people do not talk about such topics. To the next! Kind regards.

  • It is really a great and useful piece of info. I’m glad that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

  • Your style is very unique compared to other folks I’ve read stuff from.I appreciate you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmarkthis blog.

  • Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you, However I am encountering troubles with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I can’t join it. Is there anybody else getting similar RSS issues? Anyone that knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanx!!

  • That is a really good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Simple but very accurate informationÖ Thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!

  • Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you are a great author. I will remember to bookmark your blog and will come back later on. I want to encourage you continue your great job, have a nice evening!

  • I’m very pleased to find this great site. I want to to thank you for your time due to this fantastic read!! I definitely really liked every part of it and i also have you book-marked to look at new information in your website.

  • Hello, this weekend is good in support of me, as this occasion i am reading this greateducational article here at my home.

  • Hello there, I do believe your website could possibly be having internet browser compatibility problems. Whenever I take a look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Apart from that, excellent website.

  • I read this paragraph fully on the topic of the comparison of most up-to-date and earlier technologies,it’s remarkable article.

  • There is definately a great deal to learn about this topic. I like all the points you made.

  • Greetings! Very useful advice within this post! It is the little changes which will make the biggest changes. Many thanks for sharing!

  • Howdy! This post could not be written any better! Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I most certainly will send this article to him. Pretty sure he’ll have a very good read. Many thanks for sharing!

Comments are closed.

Travel More, Spend Less

Sign up now and get a FREE copy of Oneika’s Top Tips for Saving Money on Accommodation!

Browse By Continent

The Americas

Europe

Asia

Africa

Australia

Browse By Continent

The Only Question:

Where to Next?

@ONEIKATRAVELLER
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube Pinterest Rss

COPYRIGHT 2022 ONEIKA RAYMOND. WEBSITE DESIGN BY PINKNEY CREATIVE