thePeaSoupFiasco

July 7th, 2005 - 19:41

We will not be terrorised...

The London I passed through on Saturday was a London at its best. People from all walks of life, from all nationalities, of all faiths and from all backgrounds were coming together, interacting and giving the city the vibrancy with which it excels. Whether they were there for the largest of the Live Eight concerts, the annual Gay Pride celebrations, the Wimbledon final, England-Australia cricket final or just passing through on there way to Henley for the rowing, as several people were, there was a sense of expectation of a day to remember. it is testament to a great city which can handle all these events simultaneously on top of the usual bulging tourist and shopping crowds a weekend in London brings.

As I sat on the tube at the end of the day, I was greeted not by the oft heard silence which is commonplace, but by laughter and banter between strangers from different cultures, countries and backgrounds; this was a city full of confidence.

It's this reason that will ensure London recovers from the tragic terrorist attacks it has suffered today. I can't easily express my anger and sorrow in text. I can't tell what is driving these feelings, whether it's an attack on my country, on the city I love, on innocent people - both the same strangers I sat with on Saturday and my friends in London - but it's affected me more deeply than I thought something like this would have. My condolences go to all those who have been affected by this tragedy.

But from all I have read and seen today in the press, it appears Londoners have shown the typical strength and camaraderie they are known for and this will only make the city stronger and better. The city I have been in equal parts fascinated by and scared of since a young boy will get back on its feet and will do so quickly. For once, I couldn't have put it better than Mr Blair, whose words, which I leave you with now, were spot on.

When they try to intimidate us we will not be intimidated.

When they seek to change our country or our way of life by these methods we will not be changed.

When they try to divide our people or weaken our resolve, we will not be divided and our resolve will hold firm.

We will show by our spirit and dignity and by a quiet and true strength that there is in the British people, that our values will long outlast theirs.

The purpose of terrorism is just that, it is to terrorise people and we will not be terrorised.

This is part of Paddington station in London, a place I still love passing through, and the first place I would see when my parents took me to London. You still get this vague smog which hangs in the rafters giving the place a real sense of nostalgia.

Camera: NIKON D70
Zoom: 50.0mm (35mm equivalent: 75.0mm)
Shutter speed: 1/20
F: 7.1
Flash: No Flash

Gallery: London

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