History. Not my favourite subject at school but as I have travelled the world I have developed a deep interest in the stories and events of the past. History makes a place come to life just as much as the people living there today.
In my lifetime there have been a few historical events that I can remember and have had an impact on me. One such was September 11 2001 or 9/11. The emotion I felt as a student for the people of New York as they experienced fear and heartbreak on that day wells up in me as I walk toward ground zero where a memorial has been built in remembrance of the people who lost their lives to a terrible act of hatred.
Two deep and dark pools now lie in the place of the footprints of the Twin Towers. Water cascades down the sides into the foundations slowly running into an even deeper pool. On the edges stand the names of every person that died. I don’t know what the creators of these pools wanted me to experience but I see the tears of ordinary people pouring down and washing the scene clean, a constant act of forgiveness bringing new life. The waterfalls along the sides jog a memory of watching the towers falling, forever, falling. I think it is an honourable memorial.
St. Paul’s Chapel overlooks the sights of the World Trade Centre. It is a survivor and a place of refuge, where rescuers came to rest in the aftermath of 9/11. This little chapel continues to watch over the city and even today, it is a quiet place to sit and breathe. A brass bell at the front steps, commemorates what this church has survived and is tolled every year on September 11.
I’m in Downtown Manhattan and so I decide to walk down to see Wall Street, where all the action of making mega millions happens in shiny buildings filled with suit clad ladies and gents. If you are lucky you might run into or past one on their way from meeting to meeting or while having their shoes shone on the sidewalks. Most of them it appears are having a conversation with themselves involving big numbers and terms I have no concept of, if I didn’t know that I live in a technological world with wireless devices embedded in their ears, I’d think they were all a few dimes short of a dollar.
I follow the throngs of tourists and some suited businessmen to find The Bull. A statue dedicated to Wall Street. Everyone wants a piece of the action, to touch the nose or the nether regions. It is obvious what parts people think are the luckiest, they are the shiniest and apparently the biggest. Better not drop the ball after touching that…oh yes I had to go there.
I finally make it to the southernmost point of Manhattan. The historic Pier 23 can be located here but my destination is the Statten Island Ferry. This is the cheapskate tourist (as I am) tour to see the Statue of Liberty. It’s a bit like a driveby and although you don’t get right up and personal with this tall lamp wielding lady, it’s a better view than from the shore. And it is free. Not much of that going around in New York.
And then it’s Juniors time. Apparently Juniors is synonymous with scrumptious cheesecake. I couldn’t locate them at Grand Central and logic says that since it all started in Brooklyn that is where I should go but I found them just off Times Square. I think I may have mentioned my love for cream cheese, well the texture of this cheesecake is as smooth as that and it literally dissolves in your mouth and explodes in your tastebuds. Beware, your brain may not be able to cope with this sensory overlode.
Okay so I just had to see the Flatiron building and I did and it’s well…flat and um well…triangular. So it’s a thin triangle and it is tall. Oh so it is more like an iron than the fact that it is flat. Right, got it. What is really spectacular is Madison Square Garden. The Flatiron looks over it like a sentry guarding the people as they take a lunchtime break among the trees. Great place to unwind and mull over the emotions of the day.
Great description of the memorial