Today I witnessed not one, but two counterstrikes against The Ostrich Guy. On two occasions someone stalked the ostrich and screamed at him behind his back. A revolution may be brewing.

After several weeks of observation, I have produced a diagram illustrating the principal attack pattern of the Ramblas Ostritch, aka, Manuel.

The Ramblas Ostrich's favorite and most successful technique involves two groups of tourists heading towards each other. The Ostrich runs up behind the larger of the two groups (group A - see fig. a) and uses them as a shield while waiting for the right moment to attack a smaller and more vulnerable group (B). When the two groups are almost adjacent, the Ostrich darts out in front of them, letting out a blood curdling cry. It all happens too quick for the hapless group B to know what hit them.

The Ostrich Guy is really going nuts today. Literally every 10 second I hear him him scream. I'm starting to laugh every time he does it too. It's quite entertaining to sit on the balcony and watch this guy. Anyway, as it turns out, he's the spitting image of Manuel from "Fawlty Towers". And according to reliable sources, this is a deliberate impersonation. Where the ostrich comes in I have no idea. He also apparantly get's paid by the city to perform his act! This must be the case because he never holds out his hand for change.

This is the view from my new bedroom window onto Las Ramblas. I knew it was going to be a bit loud, but i didn't count on the Ostrich Guy. Every 30 seconds this man let's out a blood curdling shriek over the shoulder of some hapless tourist who then screams. It's starting to drive me insane. Other than that, Barcelona is great. Come and visit!