Photo by myself at the World Trade Center Memorial.
Names of all those who perished from the destruction of 9/11 adorn bronze panels at the World Trade Center Memorial, downtown. The names encircle the footprints of two reflecting pools, where the north and south towers once stood.
I visited the site yesterday, along with hundreds of other visitors, wandering around the memorial in the summer heat. Around us were the glass towers of the complex, still under construction.
Each name is cut into the metal, so that you can see through to a shallow pool of water, below. At night, light shines through the openings, which must be an incredible sight.
Overall, I was impressed by the simplicity of the memorial. All the details were well-conceived, from the mechanism that controls the waterfalls to the street lights. And of course, the sheer number of names is overwhelming.
Water plunges thirty feet, then drops again within the center of each pool. The bronze panels are climate controlled, so they can be touched at all times of the year.
In the background, you can see the stainless steel panels of the future World Trade Center Museum.
Young oak trees are planted throughout the space, to soften the spare aesthetic of the memorial. Over time, they will grow to form a canopy around the pools. Simple stone benches are scattered throughout.
Tickets to visit the memorial are free to the public. You must go through airport security to enter, but once the memorial is completed, the barricades and security will be taken down.
To read more about the memorial and to reserve visitor passes, click here.
Related posts: Salvaged from the World Trade Center, Night View, at the World Trade Center, and Remembrance, at the World Trade Center.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Remembrance, at The World Trade Center Memorial
Saturday, March 10, 2012
FDNY Mural, in the East Village
Photo by myself, somewhere in the East Village.
Somewhere in the East Village, a mural showing a fireman against a city skyline is painted on a roll-down door. The text reads:'We salute the heroes of NYC. Thank you FDNY.'
Dedications to 9/11 are randomly sprinkled throughout the city. In every neighborhood you can encounter mosaics adorning street lights, and painted walls. The tragedy affected so many ordinary New Yorkers, their relatives, friends and neighbors.
I'm not sure what the cutouts are in the rolldown door? Sometimes people cut holes in the door to use as makeshift mail slots.
Related posts: Remembering Ten Years Ago Today, Salvaged from the World Trade Center, and Remembrance at the World Trade Center.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Remembering Ten Years Ago Today
Photo by myself near the World Trade Center, in the Financial District.
Above, makeshift memorials are placed near the World Trade Center site, honoring fire fighters who were killed in the line of duty on September 11, 2001.
Today marks the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. A ceremony for the families at the World Trade Center site is being held this morning.
In that time, New York has encountered some false alarms. Police still conduct searches outside subway stations. Subway riders are reminded to be watchful.
Every New Yorker has been affected. Every New Yorker living here at the time clearly remembers where they were that morning. Most of us know people who worked at the towers or whose family or friends worked there.
One of my high school classmates was on one of the planes. My current downstairs neighbor worked on a lower floor of one of the towers. A friend of a friend lost his wife there. They were newlyweds.
It sounds crazy, but it's still difficult to comprehend that this event even occurred.
A poem and tributes placed near the site.
Related posts: Life Goes On, Almost, Seven Years Ago and Salvaged from the World Trade Center. Read more...
Friday, September 9, 2011
Near the World Trade Center, Downtown
Photo by myself near the World Trade Center, at Washington and Albany Streets.
One of the workers at the World Trade Center took a break, Thursday morning.
Tons of people work in the World Financial Center, a group of towers near the World Trade Center site. As a result, the sidewalks are very crowded, especially during rush hour. The site itself is walled off and under construction.
In the last few days, there have been more reflections on 9/11 in the media. The ten-year anniversary is upon us. This year, the date falls on a Sunday.
In the past, the names of all the victims have been read aloud in a ceremony held at the site. It is a very long list.
The glass towers to the right are part of the new World Trade Center. The beige towers to the left are part of the World Financial Center.
By the way, the Times has an incredible slideshow of photographs showing the construction, life and end of the original World Trade Towers, online. Click here to see the slideshow.
Related posts: Night View, at the World Trade Center, Remembrance, at the World Trade Center and On Street Corners in the East Village.
Read more...
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Remembrance, at the World Trade Center
Photo by myself at Vesey Street and Trinity Place, in the Financial District.
News crews broadcasted live across the street from the World Trade Center, Monday evening. In the background, the exposed trusses of the Freedom Tower can be seen.
I heard that the crowds at the World Trade Center were reported to be twice as large as usual. I stopped by the World Trade Center site on my way home.
Strangely, there weren't nearly as many people as I thought. People milled about quietly, taking photos and paying their respects.
Commuters and visitors walked by one of the towers in construction. It was business as usual.
A small show of American flags. Ongoing construction of the World Trade Center is reflected in the glass.
Related posts: Night View at the World Trade Center, Salvaged from the Wold Trade Center and On Street Corners, in the East Village.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Stoopside, in Brooklyn
Photo by myself around 9th Street and Prospect Park West, in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Two fellas played a game on a pretty stoop in Brooklyn.
It's hard to believe it's September 11th once again.
Each year the ceremony at the WTC site is shown on our local tv channel, NY1. The families assemble at the site, and the names of all those lost on 9/11 are read aloud. The list is sadly very long.
Mark and I drove past the site recently. The buildings are going up slowly. I'll have to take a photo there soon.
Related posts: Fighting the Crowds, in Midtown, Salvaged from the World Trade Center and Life Goes On, Almost.
Read more...
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
On the Federal Buildings and Statistics
Photo by myself near the World Trade Center at the corner of Church and Vesey Streets.
Just across from the World Trade Center, this mammoth limestone building at 90 Church Street suffered extensive interior damage from the 9/11 attacks.
There is a US Post Office on the ground floor. Federal offices are located on the upper floors.
You know it's reassuring that at any moment of any day, you can get the statistics for homicides in New York City (this entails all 5 boroughs, mind you, not Manhattan alone).
Right on the first page of the Metro section of the Times, is the link to an interactive map. We've had 299 homicides this year. Hooray.
Turns out, you're most prone to be killed if you're an African-American male, between 18 and 34 years old. And your killer is likely to be an African-American male between 18 and 24 years old. You're also most prone to be killed at night, during the summer in Brooklyn.
Each homicide is marked with a dot on the map. It's incredible to move your mouse over the map, showing what each little dot symbolizes - a victim, a killer, a motive and a weapon.
Please note that despite this information, New York is rather safe! Don't change your travel plans! New York has come a long, long way from how it was in the 1970s, when people couldn't walk through any public parks. I have not had a problem in all my 10+ years in New York.
New Yorkers, if you're curious about your neighborhood, the map allows you to zoom in to see the cross streets of each dot.
For the interactive Times homicide map, click here.
Related posts: On the World Trade Center and My Big Toe, Night View at the World Trade Center and Salvaged from the World Trade Center.
Read more...
Saturday, September 26, 2009
New York's Bravest in Park Slope, Brooklyn
Photo by myself in Park Slope Brooklyn, around Fourth Avenue and Sixth Street.
The firetruck at Engine Company 239 was bathed in bright sunshine, Friday afternoon.
The firehouse above has been in existence since 1895 and was only recently renovated. You can see photos of the exteriors and interiors here.
Incidentally, this fire station had a woman captain, one of the few women in the organization. PBS made a movie about Captain Brenda Berkman and other women in the FDNY, called 'Taking the Heat'. You can read more about it here.
The FDNY lost 343 members on September 11, 2001.
Related posts: FDNY, Heigh-Ho and Riding High.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Salvaged from the World Trade Center
Photo by myself of the World Trade Center cross, located steps away from the site of the World Trade Center.
This cross was left standing within the debris of the 9/11 tragedy. Now salvaged, it will join other items in the future World Trade Center museum.
Seen above, the cross was erected temporarily near the Trade Center building site. It is a quiet tribute to the victims of 2001.
After being exposed to the chicken pox virus a couple months ago, I was tested by my doctor. She told me that I was immune.
In the last few days, though, one little bump on my head led to another.
Could it be bed bugs? Mark looked at the bumps on my head carefully, then backed away, as if I had the plague. Even the dog looked at me funny.
But now there's no denying it. I am covered in red dots. Aargh!!
Fortunately I have some photos in my stash to post. This pair is both inspiring and sad.
Related posts: Night View at the World Trade Center, Six Years Ago and On Street Corners in the East Village.
Read more...
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
On the WTC and My Big Toe
Photo by myself near the World Trade Center site.
Construction is progressing at the World Trade Center site.
There isn't a formal viewing platform any more, but you can get views of the site from a pedestrian walkway that traverses the West Side Highway.
There are a million differences between very high end residential projects and tall buildings.
One is that with a fancy house, you're much more concerned about protecting it than protecting yourself. You wear hard hats only for a brief time, when the house is being framed in.
When a house nears completion, you walk around wearing little booties covering your shoes. All the workers and contractor and client will do this. It looks funny, but it's to prevent the stained wood floors and carpets from being marked up.
One day at my former job, I visited a house with my boss. It was a gorgeous, formal home in Montreal, located on a hill that overlooked the city. There were heavy drapes and huge curtain rods and framed art on each wall.
Since the project had long been completed, there weren't booties available. As customary, we took off our shoes.
Except I had an enormous hole in the toe of my black stocking.
Huge. My big toe stuck out of the hole, the nail covered in a bright fuscia nail polish.
'WHAT....is that.' My boss said, his head tipped down, brows furrowed, looking over his glasses. I'm sure he had never seen a big toe sticking out of a stocking before.
'Uh....'
That day I hopped around behind pieces of furniture. Eek!
Related posts: Night View at the World Trade Center, Architecture, A Glorified Profession and Trinity Church, At Dusk.
Read more...
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Night View at the World Trade Center
Photo by myself of the World Trade Center site.
Cranes were silhouetted against the night sky, Monday evening, making for a dramatic view.
For those visiting the World Trade Center site, be forewarned. There doesn't seem to be a viewing platform of the construction now. The large platform in front of Century 21 on Cortlandt Street is gone.
Many streets in the area are blocked off or covered in scaffolding. It's best to bring a map and compass to you can find your way around!
I'm not sure how many people actually live near the World Trade Center. It's not your typical neighborhood. The scale of the buildings is large, many of the buildings house offices that close up after rush hour, and there are few visible amenities.
Battery Park City, a complex of modern apartment buildings, is within walking distance across West Street. BPC is a jam-packed with young families and enjoys a prime location by the water.
Related posts: Life Goes On, Almost, On Street Corners in the East Village and Seven Years Ago.
Read more...
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
On Street Corners in the East Village
Photo by myself in the East Village.
A number of lamp posts in the East Village are adorned with hand made mosaics commemorating New York and 9/11.
It's nice to run into these intimate creations accidentally on a street corner.
Related posts: Six Years Ago, Life Goes On, Almost and Code Yellow.
Read more...
Friday, September 12, 2008
Seven Years Ago
Photo by myself around 6th Avenue and 34th Street.
Not exactly Baby Bjorn, this baby backpack looks authentic.
The fabric had some nice embroidery to it in reds and greens. The rest of the photo was a mess of colors - purplish grey asphalt, the dingy bricks and maroon overhangs of the restaurant across the street.
It looked best in monochrome.
Posting a day ahead of time, I didn't realize it was September 11th once again.
Yesterday on the job site, the contractor for the job I'm working on asked me whether I'd been in New York seven years ago.
We traded stories that were similar to other stories I've heard. They were brief stories about how fearful that day had been, not knowing what was going on, whether it had just been an accident, realizing it was no accident, then wondering what was next.
The contractor had been working on a renovation in Brooklyn. Standing on a rooftop, he saw everything.
I was working on lower Fifth Avenue, where you can see straight downtown. I saw plumes of smoke, and heard snippets of the news blaring on car radios outside. It was chaotic yet deathly silent.
Anyway, I don't want to dwell on the tragedy because part of me still cannot believe it happened. But then, I couldn't write nothing at all.
Related posts: Six Years Ago and Code Yellow.
Read more...
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Life Goes On, Almost
Photo by myself, in Greenwich Village.
Hand-painted tiles are hung along a chain link fence at 7th Avenue and 11th Street, in The Village. Tiles of various sizes with painted inscriptions and sent from all over the world.
This impromptu memorial is quite moving, with its handwritten inscriptions fired on clay tiles.
I paid the fence a visit, while en route to Gansevoort Street on the west side.
In New York, we go around our busy lives like nothing ever happened. And then sometimes it all comes back.
Like the other day, I was on the subway and for whatever reason I had a strange feeling. I started panicking about the other subway riders and what I couldn't see. What was under that guy's seat? What's in that person's bag?
And then the subway stopped. We'd reached the station.
I got out and lost myself in the crowd.
Related posts: On Looking like a Tourist on Holiday, Welcome to New York and Six Years Ago.
Read more...
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Six Years Ago
It's hard to believe that six years ago, the craziest thing happened.
People are always curious: Were you in the city that day? What happened? What was it like?
Both Mark and I remember that it was a really beautiful morning. It was bright and cloudless, one of those rare New York fall days.
I was working on Fifth Avenue near the Flatiron building. Coworkers started running up and down the stairs, yelling out the news. I was in complete shock and, crazy enough, kept working. I was hoping that everything would just go away. Anyway, we were several blocks away from the Empire State Building and as things progressed, I started to worry that that landmark was next.
Outside, it was deathly quiet except for the radios of the parked cars, blaring the news. No one was driving, and people trudged uptown in silence. I walked 20 blocks north with a friend and then went to another friend's place in Hell's Kitchen. We sat in front of the tv for the rest of the day in a daze, watching the continuous news shows. The next day, we went to the Red Cross to give blood and it was mobbed. We lingered there for a while, not knowing what to do.
I didn't know Mark at the time. He'd been working downtown and had to walk all the way home, over a bridge, to Queens.
Everything after that is a sad blur - the 'Missing' posters at Union Square, the candles, the bits of hope and the unravelling of news.
Several weeks after the tragedy, I was still full of naivete. I asked my boss,'So you don't think things will change, will they?' ('Things', meaning 'life as we knew it').
Of course, she told me that nothing would be the same.
Photo by myself of Long Island City and the buildings along the East River, beyond, including the Chrysler Building and United Nations. Many people left New York after 9/11, but right now, there's a construction boom with no end in sight.
