My September 11th in New York..
16
September 2002
The odd thing that hit me when I woke up on the morning of Sept. 11th was that New Zealand had already had 16 hours of that day. I first woke up about 5.30am to the sound of police sirens, a normal everyday sound in New York anyway but for the first time I actually heard them and woke up with a start. I sat up still half asleep with my heart pounding. As I came out of my sleep slumber I realised that there was no reason behind them other than usual so back to sleep I dozed.
I woke up 2 hours later and decided to go for a run around the reservoir in Central Park. Sept. 11th had started officially on the telly at 5.30am and events to mark the anniversary of that tragic day would be televised all day. It was like a very macabre Telethon. It was potentially going to be an emotionally heavy day as all of New York was affected somehow by it so I wanted to go somewhere peaceful away from it for a while.
I don't know about anyone else out there but running first thing in the morning, with all that jarring just means I need to go to the toilet. Of course when you really want to go can you ever find a public toilet? No of course not. Unfortunately Central Park is too busy to do a dash to the bushes so it is a real case of mind over matter. (And stopping any movement whatsoever!) If I could channel this much energy and focus into other areas of my life think what I could achieve?
As I wandered back home from Central Park I thought I better call New Zealand to reassure everyone that everything was fine over here. No attacks and I was safe …they weren't the slightest bit concerned! I have to admit I wasn't either. It would be too much like very bad luck to have another attack on the anniversary of the previous year.
I went down to Ground Zero last week on the premise that Sept. 11th would be packed with people. (I was right). I also went down on Sept. 11th. I won't go again for some time. I'm glad I went last week as it really hit home the enormity of the event. And the sadness. The empty area where the WTC stood just looks like a gaping wound. All there is to look at is a huge concrete pit. I overheard one man describe it as a graveyard for nearly 3000 people (345 of whom were fire-fighters). Being there and looking at it in that context made my heart lurch and the tears welled as I imagined what it must have been like for everyone there. Terrifying. The imagination is a powerful tool and it didn't take much to put myself in the shoes of the people who had been there. I'm sure you can imagine.
The thing that looks quite odd in the area is St Paul's Church, (which stands behind where the WTC stood)… it is perfectly intact. The cemetery, the grounds, the trees, the church everything is as if nothing happened. Believe me, when you are stand in front of the church and look at it with the void behind it, it makes you wonder. The church feels very alive in contrast to the very dead grieving feel left behind it. (I know that may sound weird but that is how it felt down there. Something you can never, see, hear or feel over the television)
The fence around the church is covered with pictures, letters, and pleas from all around the world with the recurring theme… peace. Worldwide peace. What tarred the experience for me was the double decker tour bus driving past adding this to their 'sights of Manhattan' to see list. You can just imagine the tour guide touting for business, "and first we will be going to the Empire State Building, then downtown to the WTC grave, then onto Statue of Liberty…." Tacky! I guess though they wouldn't do it if there wasn't a demand for it…I still don't agree with it.
And then there are the stands selling memorabilia from the day. Including one stand where the owner was replaying on his laptop the event over and over again. Why? I felt sick to the stomach. Personally I have nothing against people making money, money is a good thing but I felt this crossed the line into the world of 'sicko'. Not something I could live with on my conscience unless the proceeds were going to one of the many Sept. 11th funds… I doubt they were!
I found the actual day down there revolting. Far from what I thought the day would be about it resembled more of a circus. I stayed for ten minutes then left. Press were everywhere, people dragged enormous crosses around on their backs, others dressed up in full US colours passionately shouting out about how great the United States is, and of course hundreds of tourists taking photos and lets not forget all the merchandise being sold for a profit. Yuck.
That night in a small laid back bar I saw real grief. Two guys came in whom had worked in the second tower and had lost their entire company. They are based in midtown now…on the lower level of a building. Another guy come into the bar, bought a bottle of Jack Daniels and proceed to drink the entire bottle to blot out his memories. And so it progressed into the evening, one by one people came in with their own story. It was quite an emotionally exhausting day. Too top it off the television coverage didn't let up. All day and most of the night, Sept 11th was the theme on every channel. I was relieved to see the end of the day. I hope that the anniversary allows some people (ones that can) the opportunity to move on now.
The one thing I really
hope comes out of this is that the pleas for worldwide peace are heard.
People are too important!
(You can also read about what I am up to on www.nzoom.co.nz under entertainment - rant.)
Regards,
romiley
home | on the road | resume | gallery | reviews | contact
