Normal Day

Or so it appeared here in Barcelona. Locals and visitors alike were out strolling the city's streets, both narrow as in Gracia (celebrating it annual festival) and broad like the Passeig Sant Joan. Dot and I ended up in the Ciutadella Park before a fountain designed by Gaudi.

Overall, the city did seem a little quieter and I had the sense that there were a few more looks back over people's shoulders in stretches more open to van-attack. That heightened vigilance in the strollers won't last long though, and it will fall to the local authorities to do what they can to prevent further incidents. Legitimate questions are being asked about why there were not bollards in place at the top and bottom ends of Las Ramblas given it is such a vulnerable and obvious target.

So, life is back to normal or almost normal, the wound of yesterday closing quickly, except for those directly affected, such a waste of lives young and old. It's a pity we can't deprive the perpetrators of the huge oxygen balloon of publicity they harvest each time they murder in this way.