Dear Beautiful People of Spain:

I am deeply saddened by the horrific tragedy that has occured in your wonderful city of Madrid.

My words can not cover the deep sense of pain that I feel.

My husband and I had the good fortune to spend many days in Madrid and a couple of months in the whole country of Spain.

To pay respect and to give honor to those who have lost their lives and to those who have lost family and friends I pray.

I also take a day of mourning by not posting on the travel boards today.

In light of this tragedy it is irrelevant for me to discuss itineries, clothing, foods, drink, children, adults, transportation, weather, safety and all those things on this day.

Please accept my sincere thoughts and the thoughts of others who wish to share on this thread their heartfelt messages to you.

In Peace,
Oaktown Traveler
(Piedmont,California, USA)

FWIW, I weep with you all.

Why is there no comment here? Are we so inured to terrorist violence that we don't notice the death of a mere 180 victims in Spian?

My apologies. I just don't understand how I missed the other threads.

Heartbroken for the loss of so many

Respectfully Topping.

I return to the boards after a day off.

My Prayers,
Oaktown Traveler

La tristeza no puede
entrar por estas puertas.
Por las ventanas
entra el aire del mundo,
las rojas rosas nuevas,
las banderas bordadas
del pueblo y sus victorias.
No puedes.
Aquí no entras.

(No sadness may
cross this threshold.
Through these windows
comes the breath of the world,
fresh red roses,
flags embroidered with
the victories of the people.
No.
No entry.)

From "Oda a la tristeza" (Ode to sadness), Pablo Neruda

that's beautiful, hanl. Thanks for the thoughtful thread, OaktownTraveler. When I first saw this on the news, it felt so surreal. Reality hit me when I was talking to a friend of mine from Spain, currently visiting the US, who told me that a friend of his was missing.

I also pray for the victims of this tragedy and for those who have lost their loved ones...

paz

Craisin:

Your are most welcome.

I feel as if I too have lost family in Spain. As someone said in part, maybe on of our hotel clerks, taxi drivers or the person who pointed us in the direction to The Plaza Mayor was killed...who knows?

Maybe the Tapa guy, the club girl, the lady with the dog...the man with the child...People of Spain have died or been injured.

I look through my numerous Spain photo albums and I pray...

I weep, still. I am sad. I pray.

Oaktown Traveler

My thoughts are with the victims and their families during this terrible time. I was shocked when l heard about this terrible attack, and immediatly l recalled my time in Madrid, and remembering what a lovely city it was, full of lovely and kind people.

I hope that this does not mark the start to another major campaign by Al'Quaeda.

To show my continued thoughts for all the people of Spain today, I wear one of my t-shirts from SPAIN!

My continued Prayers and thoughts...

Oaktown Traveler,
(Piedmont & Pebble Beach, California) USA

The first posted message on the tragedy was posted barely an hour after the explosions. Before noontime, dozens of posters had left their condolences. Even if I don't know these people personally, I was relieved to hear that Maribel, Olga, Cova and families are doing well.

This is a global tragedy and there are 200 less of us. Senseless violence that targets the working class, somehow we have to find a global solution.

...While out and about today my husband and I got stopped several times by complete strangers...

Why?

My husband had on his very brightly colored Santiago De Compostela t-shirt and I had on my Spian T-shirt with the whole map of the country on it.

One lady shared that she had friends in Barcelona, another said that she had just purchased some Basque cheese at Trader Joes to remind her of her time in Spain...another wanted to talk about the friendly and beautiful people of Madrid and another was telling us that he was following the election and that a whopping 83% of the S[ainish citizens had indeed voted.

We shared with him our knowledge that voting in Spain was mandatory for the citizens...we recalled being there during a very passionate election and were able to attend the political rallies in the large cities and in the small villages...we all shared just a little of our great times in Spain.

The people in the Bay Area LOVE you and are in awe of your solidarity.

You stay in our prayers and in our most profound memories...

God Bless you!

Oaktown Traveler
(Piedmont & Pebble Beach, California)
USA

Honorably topping.

for some strange reason this did not post or top...trying again.

We LOVE you!

Oaktown Traveler