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LETTER
'The silence was eerie'
15/07/2005 12:46 - (SA)
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| Some of the crowd gather in London's, Trafalgar Square, during a vigil to pay homage to the victims of last week's bomb attacks on the capital which claimed at least 53 lives. (Jane Mingay, AP)
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London stopped yesterday at noon to pay respects to the victims of last Thursday's bombings and to show solidarity to fellow Londoners.
It was an eerie feeling as thousands stood in front of the buildings in which they work, in silence.
And it was remarkable, for a city that never sleeps.
Cars stopped in the middle of the street and drivers got out to stand in silence alongside their fellow Londoners.
Other than that, apart from those affected in the bombings, it seems it's business as usual in the capital.
The tourists are walking central London, the pubs are open (even in the blast areas), the tubes are once again packed and, while weary, it seems people are going about their business as usual.
'We even watched the rugby
Myself and a few friends even watched the rugby near Liverpool Street on Saturday morning.
Perhaps it's a fatalistic view but most people I've spoken to have the attitude that it is not something that can be controlled and that what will be will be.
There is no mass hysteria here as was evident in the states after 9/11, no revenge attacks on Muslims and the media hype is much more reserved.
Londoners seem to have the attitude that the best manner of defiance is to not let this event effect them.
Perhaps it's due to the British having almost continually involved in a conflict of some for or another for the last 800 years.
Or maybe it's just the reminder of how terrible and regular the IRA bombings in the 90s were.
The resolve and calm of all Londoners to not let this affect their lives is to be commended.
Jonathan Burt
London
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