Robyn.Bowles.es

I was just wishing my students a good weekend when I got a call from Samuel asking me if I was o.k. “Sure,” I said, wondering the reason behind the sudden, early-morning inquiry into my well-being.
“Did you hear about what happened?”
“No! What?!”
“Four bombs exploded on trains this morning, over thirty people are dead.”
I took the train this morning, as I do every Tuesday and Thursday, and he (along with a few others who called in the hour to follow) wanted to make sure it wasn’t MY train that was bombed.
The bombs exploded in four different trains near three different train stations, the main station, Atocha, is about 1-2 miles from where we live.

This morning, March 11, is reminiscent of the morning of September 11, 2001. Once I finally got home after taking the bus, we sat glued to the TV trying to decipher what had happened while we looked at the devastating pictures. All train service has been halted, and several Metro (subway) lines have interrupted service. The health services are overwhelmed and calling for blood donations. The news stations show seriously injured people being attended by paramedics, lined up in a sports complex near the station, plain-clothed volunteers hold IV bags as the victims are treated by the more qualified. The Emergency Rooms are overwhelmed

Several of our friends “could have” been there. One happened to get a ride to work this morning instead of taking the train. One takes that train to school every day except Thursday. One quit teaching a class two weeks ago for which she used to catch a train at Atocha at that time. I am thankful that for these three friends, they “happened” not to be there today. But for the hundreds wounded (over 400) and dead (last count 130); I grieve. I grieve for their loved ones; and I grieve for this city.

The attacks came just three days before the national elections when the people will elect a new Prime Minister. The attacks were most likely made by members of ETA – a Basque separatist group that has been terrorizing Spain for thirty years. ETA is from Pais Vasco – “Basque Country,” a Spanish province in the north of Spain bordering France. They want independence from Spain. Today, their total death toll has reached almost 1000.

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