You are talking serious money here for one of those things $400,000 each!

Only the military can afford to develop such luxuries and make them safe, which can easily kill you if they fail unexpectedly!

What evidence do you have that "Paris was mesmorized?" Having witnessed such parades, I know that if you just go around the corner, the bars and restaurants are full of people who could not care less, who wants to spend a day off watching a parade?

My village of 5000 has big spectacular events, the streets are mobbed, but at the same time the bars along the Street of the events, are packed with the locals, who have Little interest in what is happening just outside. After Easter Sunday mass, there is a procession from the church to the city hall with more people in the procession then watching it, and more in the bars ignoring it, then or watching the procession. This is  also true in Barcelona at the festivals, more in the event then spectators, and more of both paying no attention.

I guess your Catalans were catatonic!

RGoss99 said:

After Easter Sunday mass, there is a procession from the church to the city hall with more people in the procession then watching it, and more in the bars ignoring it, then or watching the procession.

That's a relief. Same thing we see in the UK and sets us worrying.

Except there isn't anyone outside or inside the bars a short distance away!

this is not just typical Catalán, it is typical mediterian, RC, orthodox, Jewish, and Muslim

True in every aspect!

Lots of sheep butts for future shearing, there. Hah!

 Just don't get why R, okay, he likes where he is, why he can't  value other's  choices in vacay time. Worried about him being too centrified.