London A Surreal Place After Bombings

Storefront after storefront had signs, often handwritten, bearing the same message.

"Closed due to today's events" or "today's unfortunate events" or "today's tragic events."

Stores such as Virgin Megastore to mom-and-pop operations were all shuttered. Some offered reasons: "Because our staff can't get to work" or "Because we can't take deliveries..."

The large McDonald's at London's Piccadilly Circus was downright apologetic: "Despite our best efforts we are forced to close. We hope you will understand."

The quiet was extraordinary. No trucks or buses on the normally congested streets.

Police murmured into walkie talkies and displaced commuters forlornly described their situations into cell phones as they began the long hike to office or home.

"I'm walking all the way back to the office," sighed one woman into her phone. "And I wore heels today."

A few pubs were open. Drinkers - mainly those who couldn't figure out a way home from work with the public-transportation disruptions - were all on mobile phones, trying to make plans, check on trains. "Any sign of a cab?" one man asked. "You must be joking," his mate replied.

Leicester Square, in the heart of the city's tourist district, was subdued. Perhaps the tourists had retired to their hotels. A few groups of twentysomethings speaking Italian, Spanish and German milled about. But there were equal numbers of police in bright yellow plastic vests.

"We hope to resume gambling tonight," read a sign outside Napoleon's Casino. Most other nightlife establishments were not so optimistic, with the big dance clubs, like the West End theaters, posting closed notices.

Despite it being evening rush hour, few cars were on the streets. Major roads, such as Whitehall near the prime minister's residence and the shopping mecca of Oxford Street, could be crossed with scarcely a look for oncoming traffic. And you don't realise how ubiquitous the red London city buses are... until there aren't any on the streets.

At an Internet cafe, the blaring radio already was pronouncing that it would be business as usual on Friday. "They are getting everything up and running," the announcer said proudly. "That's our British spirit."