Dispatches - 7 September 2025 - Bullfights, Autographs, and Sevilla
- Jack Rogers
- Sep 7
- 5 min read
In This Dispatch:
Weekly Dispatch
This has been a nice, relaxing week. I started by watching Olga Casado, one of the few mainstream female bullfighters, in San Sebastian de los Reyes. I have been looking forward to seeing her in person. I first discovered her on Instagram when she was a novillera sin picadores (which I would best describe as the high school- or college-level in American football terms, depending on the novillero's skill level). Over the past year and change, she has carefully constructed her career and marketing to become one of Spain's most sought-after talents. Whereas many novilleros perform in novilladas with other novilleros, she has managed to perform alongside full matadors in corridas mixtas (a term for any mix of style or category of torero in a given performance). Last year, she even performed with picadors before her official debut alongside famous matadors like Enrique Ponce, Sebastian Castella, and Fernando Adrian, in a benefit event for flood victims.
She did not disappoint. If she was a fully-certified matador, her performance would have been impressive. Being a novillera, it was amazing. She cut two ears and left through the puerta grande with Emilio de Justo and Jose Maria Manzanares. I was able to throw my hat into the ring for her in congratulations, got her official photograph, and somehow found myself at the front of the crowd at her van and got her autograph in my "Aficionado" notebook.
That night was followed by seeing Borja Jimenez in Colmenar Viejo. I only had a few more opportunities to see him before leaving for Turkey, so I decided to take every opportunity. When he arrived, his van stopped right in front of me, and he recognized me immediately. We shook hands, grabbed a picture, and I wished him luck for the night ahead. He didn't need luck, being such a great torero, but I've seen him carried to infirmary enough times to know that any well wishes and luck are welcome. Borja performed excellently with both of his bulls, and the bulls were fantastic in their own right. The ranch had every reason to be proud of its stock, as all six were aggressive, lock-in, and worthy of the applause they received. Borja didn't cut any ears on his first, as he struggled with the estocada, but he cut both from his second bull and left through the puerta grande with Diego Ventura (a rejoneador).
Afterwards, I went to his van to shake his hand. It was surrounded by young men and boys trying to get an autograph, but when he saw me, he reached over to shake even as people took selfies with him. He reached first, not me, which excited me. One thing I have said about Borja Jimenez over the last two years is that he never forgets his fans, especially those who have supported him for so long, something many celebrities (and famous matadors) often forget. I did a post on Instagram about him and how him introducing me to the world of tauromaquia has made me a better person, and he shared it on his page. I had no idea what was going on, but my notifications blowing up caused me to check as him sharing it on his story drove almost ten thousand people to my profile. Ego boost for me? Absolutely, but I was glad he actually saw it (instead of his manager or ayuda) and appreciated it enough to share.
After Colmenar Viejo, I headed to Sevilla where I haven't done much in the way of travel or tourism. I've gone around town to record a video about Sevilla and enjoyed lots of good food, but most of my time has been spent editing videos and recording audio for the website. (In fact, that's exactly what I'm going to do as soon as I'm done writing this dispatch). My hostel has a soundproof(ish) movie room that is rarely used, so I wanted to take advantage of the quiet space while I had it.
I've had several interesting experiences in hostels that past three weeks, but I'll get into those in a dedicated post. There are some crazy, ridiculous stories. I can't complain too much, seeing as I've had a good run of very little hostel drama in the two years I've been on the road, but all that karma has come home to roost since completing the Camino.
The next week, I'll be in Madrid. Again, I won't be doing much besides writing and recording. Got a lot to get through before my flight to Turkey in a week!
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Join the Adventure! I need travel partners!
I have two guided treks coming up later this year, each less than two weeks. I am seeking one, ONE, additional person to join me on each of these unique excursions. I promise you; they will be experiences like no other! (Ok, I put the emphasis on one additional person, but to be honest, I’m open to more if we can make it work!)
Zagros Mountain Trail – 15-29 November 2025 - $2500
This trail is a historic trade route through the Kurdish mountainside. The original route travelled from Iran, through Iraq, and into Turkey, but has long since fallen away since modern technology and roads have taken over moving goods, services, and people across countries. In Iraq, however, a private organisation is restoring the trade route to be a hiking trail. This trek will cross the majority of the trail, starting and ending in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. The price is all-inclusive (including airport transfer and English-speaking guide), except for flights, visas, and tips. Contact me if you are interested, and I can send you more details.
If you want to go, but are (understandably) concerned about going to Iraq as a tourist, shoot me a message and we can talk. I went to Iraqi Kurdistan as a tourist in December 2023, and it was beyond safe. While Iraq as a whole has a dangerous reputation, the semi-autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan is wholly different from Federal Iraq. It has its own security forces, visa regime, and political situation. Is the risk there? Sure, but I’d much rather walk around Erbil than Chicago.
Sahara/Atlas Trek – 12-24 December 2025 - €2340 + €69 Booking Fee
This trek is a bespoke adventure put together especially for me. We will start and end in Marrakech, a beautiful city that is stereotypical of the Middle East and North Africa. From there, we will take transportation out to the desert and the mountains for wonderful hikes and beautiful views. We will occasionally take transportation to new areas, as the Atlas Mountains are the barrier between the desert and the rest of the country. The point of this trek is to explore Morocco’s pre-modern history and culture, including nights in Berber camps, former military outposts, and a few climbs up mountains. The price is mostly-inclusive (welcome to Morocco), with a few meals at the beginning and end on our own and tips excluded.
I COULD REALLY USE A PARTNER ON THIS ONE. To do this trek as a solo traveller is going to be expensive. While I am going either way, even just one person going will SIGNIFICANTLY reduce the strain on the relationship between me and my bank account! If it entices you more, I will be flying to Madrid, Spain, on 24 December to enjoy Christmas and New Year’s in one of my favourite cities, so I can play tour guide if you want! Contact me if you are interested, and I can send you more details.
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Check out this week's video on YouTube!
Wayfarer Packing Series: The Bags | Reviewing My Erblestock Halftrack, Eddie Bauer Stowaway, & More
And check out these videos from The Great Gallivanting!
Travel Vlog: Amman | Ancient History, Scam Central, and Why I'll Never Return
Travel Vlog: Aqaba | Diving Jordan's Gulf in the Wake of October 7th
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