NYC with Amy

On our way north over the summer, Amy had planned to take a day off of work so she and I could spend the day exploring New York City together. Then she broke her foot. Walking around the city would be impossible.

We hadn't planned on seeing them again on our way south, but then we really missed them and it wasn't too far out of our way to visit again. This time Amy was freshly out of her cast. NYC was back on!

We took the train from Trenton to Penn station. Just walking out of the station is like walking into a whole new dimension where everything is brighter, louder, faster, and filled with yellow cabs. It's a bit overwhelming on your senses. I was reminded of my first introduction to the city 15 years ago. New York City is definitely an experience that you never forget.

As we were walking thru Times Square, someone approached us and asked if we wanted to be on the enormous digital billboard. Seriously?! Of course! They were promoting a new TV Series called Wisdom of the Crowd. They took our photo and then we waited, and waited, but then, there we were larger than life on a BILLBOARD IN TIMES SQUARE! How cool is that?!? Check that one off the life list! (I didn't even have that on the list!)

After enjoying our 15 minutes of fame, we continued walking to Central Park. A man driving a motorized bike rikshaw offered to give us a tour of the park while pointing out all the famous spots.  With Amy's leg being fresh out of her cast, we gladly accepted but not before negotiating a sweet deal.

As he drove us thru the park, he pointed out homes of famous people including Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Jerry Seinfeld. He showed us printed scenes from movies and T.V. as we were passing the real thing. Yes, these 90s teenagers, got a kick out of seeing the "Friends" fountain.  As our tour was ending, he showed us where John Lennon lived and died.

Next we took the subway to Chinatown and Little Italy. I always enjoy seeing the sights, sounds and foods there.

A solution to parking problems in the city? I have so many questions!

Below is a beautiful piece of artwork in front of a church. Look closely. It features the Lord's Prayer.

Our last stop was the 9/11 memorial and museum. The last time I was in New York City was right after 9/11. I was on one of the first flights when air traffic was resumed. I watched from the top of the Empire State building at night as the area where the twin towers once stood was lit up for the recovery efforts.

The Memorial upon our arrival.

As soon as you step thru those doors, you leave behind a loud, bustling city, for a silent, sober, reliving of America's worst day. The museum is inside the original structure...... It's a jarring combination of old and new, of destruction and restoration.

But first, some facts about the World Trade Center:

Of course 9/11 is what comes to mind when thinking of the World Trade Centers, but it wasn't the first act of terrorism carried out there. I overheard one of the guides say, "In 1993 a young woman, named Monica, was halfway thru her last day of work before beginning her maternity leave, when a terrorist bomb exploded killing her and five others and injuring around 1,000."

This is the point when tears welled up in my eyes, and continued for the rest of our visit.

A map showing the timeline of events that fateful morning walk you thru the moments of shock, confusion, realization and then sheer horror as what had just happened became clear.

Everyone over the age of 10 knows where they were that day, that instant they heard the news. I was driving to work when the first plane hit, I was at my desk when the second one hit. Working at a mutual fund company, we had TVs all over the place with market news on 24/7. Today was different. Today wasn't about the market. My husband, whom I had not yet met, was in Sarasota at Booker Middle School. Ring any bells? So was President Bush. My future husband was assigned to his security detail.

The remnants of a firetruck after the events of 9/11.

Last year I met Steve, a survivor, a NY firefighter, whose last day on the job was Sept 11, 2001. He was one of the first responders to arrive when the first tower was hit. Nearly his whole team was killed when the Marriott collapsed. He was leading four of them to a stairwell when it happened. They turned around and the last man in the line was just gone. The four of them were found in the only part of the hotel still standing, a stairwell that had been damaged during the bombing in 1993, Rebuilt and reinforced, it served as a shelter for the remaining four men, until they, themselves could be rescued.

Being here, seeing these things, hearing the stories is important. Make no mistake, there is evil in this world. But there is One who is greater. I choose to hold firmly to my faith and look forward to the day when our heavenly father will come for us and separate us from the evil.

On our departure, the memorial is lit for the coming darkness.

After the emotions that we were still feeling, it was a quiet commute home.

Subway, train, car, bed.

I fell asleep thankful for my life, and the opportunity to spend an entire day with my childhood best friend. A day I'll always treasure.