Life in the Big Apple

Dan and I arrived in New York last night after an overnight layover back in Arlington. It is everything that I remember but so nice to have Dan here to share it with. I think it will be the only place in the world I will have the opportunity to show Dan around instead of the other way around. ;-)

This morning Dan had meetings and consultations (very professional sounding eh?) so I took to the streets. I went out and just started walking. I ended up walking quite a bit, taking in Times Square, Broadway, 5th Avenue and Macy's. By the time I got back Dan was home and ready to see the sights. Unfortunately, it gets dark very early here so when we headed back out by 4pm the sun was almost completely down. Our camera does not fare too well in the dark so most of our pictures didn't turn out but here are some pics from the Big Apple!

Times Square: bigger than life

A not very good picture of the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street

One of the places we wanted to make sure we saw was Ground Zero. It is a very emotional place as all the feelings from that day come rushing back with force. We stood together silently, remembering memories from a time that now seems so far away. I visited the World Trade Centres in 2000 with my Aunt, Uncle and cousins; I had been in NY attending some conferences at the UN. It was amazing to me the immense hole that has been left behind.

It did not feel right to be a shutterbug at the site but there were two images that stuck me that I felt compelled to share.

There is now a visitors centre at the site. It has some very striking photos and a timeline of the events. There were a number of people at the centre but a reverenced hush prevailed against the noisy hum of the city in the background. You could see everyone reliving that day again in their minds as they followed the timeline. (above is Dan looking at the timeline)

The site itself is in the midst of construction for the memorial and new "Freedom Tower". The steel fence surrounding the area was for the most part barren save this single rose we found poking out on the observation deck. I'm glad we were able to visit the WTC site, I look forward to seeing it again once construction there is complete.

~Katie