visit Ground Zero

I visited Ground Zero, the former site of the World Trade Center, during my trip to New York this past weekend. Had I gone there more recently after the 9/11 terrorist attacks had happened, I’m sure my experience would have been entirely different. The experience I did have, however, mostly lacked emotional impact. There was a small memorial near the site, but mainly what I saw was a construction site (see the photo I took). I don’t really think this is a bad thing since it shows that progress is being made in moving forward. Still, I feel like I was supposed to feel more than what I actually felt. I almost feel as if I should feel guilty about that, but I don’t really.

At the time when the terrorist attack occurred, I was woefully ignorant of anything having to do with New York. I had heard of the World Trade Center, but I had no idea what it was. I didn’t know that it consisted of a pair of the tallest buildings in New York City. I was even unfamiliar with the New York skyline so that when I saw pictures of what the buildings had looked like and of the destruction inflicted upon them I didn’t recognize them. When I heard of the attacks, I had no TV so I saw no pictures (at least in the immediate few days after the event), and after a few hours of listening to the radio I got tired of hearing about it so much that I just turned it off. I had a vague sense that something had changed in the mood of the nation and I felt moved by the stories of the victims, but I didn’t really get it; I was too caught up in drama going on in my personal life at the time. Also, New York was all the way on the east coast so I felt disconnected from what happened there like what went on there may as well have been going on in London. I better understood the significance of the event as more time passed (as well as feeling more connected to what happens elsewhere in the world), but I think I lack the depth of appreciation for the event that many others have.

Anyway, it was interesting to see where the most important event (in terms of political ramifications) in recent times had occurred, and being at the site and walking in the city around it I really did get a better sense of the magnitude of an attack that could take down buildings of such size.

Currently Ground Zero looks like every other block cause it’s just a usual construction site. You would never even guess anymore. It’s the church across the street that you should visit.

Sept. 11th was a traumatic day for thousands of New Yorkers – myself included. I remember months after visiting the site of ground zero and just reliving the moments over and over again. I pray for the people who lost their lives that they made their way to Heaven and I pray for their families as well. Many people turned to God in that time – I hope that they still keep the faith.
I intend to revisit the place once the Freedom tower is built and completed.

Disappointing (the lack of respect was phenomenal) but the memorial was touching. Even to someone not American or close to anyone affected, the concept of Ground Zero itself really moves me. It was just unfortunate to have the place swarming with carollers, Santas and charity collectors.

especially all the messages written on the fencing and boards in permanent pen by the bereaved. It’s hard, well impossible actually, to imagine what it must have been like.

For me it was worth doing. I felt like I had to pay my respects, and honor those who lost their lives there, and remember the families who have had to live their lives with their loss. It is sad as it has turned into a bit of a tourist attraction. Also try to stay away, and not buy anything from the vendors their. They will try to sell you time line books, and pamphlets of the events of 9/11. I would say try to be quick, and try not to take too many pictures. I don’t think the locals are too fond of it. I also found it very emotional, and very moving. I took the subway from the Wolrd Trade Center station up to Madison Square Garden. The memorial/montage painted on the wall which you see when you walk down the steps into the subway is very sad. It has a painted blue sky with fluffly white clouds. It is quite large. There are pictures of drawings that kids made. I only read a few of them, as it was very upsetting. The last one I read said “I miss riding on daddies shoulders”.

I went and visited ground zero. It is a sobering reminder of something terrible, but at the sametime the rebuilding going on is comforting.
Is it boring? well its like what it sounds, now a blank foundation. Is it worth going? yes thousands died there and for a lot of us it was the worst thing that happened to the US in our lives, do you want to tell your kids you saw it? Its not disney land there are no rides or mascots in costume, but if you feel that your life would be better for going and paying respects to those who lost thier lives then do it for that reason, not because its going to be fun and action packed.

My mother worked at the WTC (last day was 9/6/01) and I was stuck in the Bklyn quarantine when it happened. Bad memories indeed. It was still just rubble and soot when I was around for the Tribeca film foray, but I went to Ground Zero with a friend months later only to find that nothing’d been done. They just fenced around the wreckage and posted little diagrams everywhere. I was in a herd line with millions of tourists who were DISAPPOINTED that it wasn’t FUN. Made me real proud to be a New Yorker.

There is nothing emotional about it.
What you see is a huge trench, a construction project that for some reason has stalled for 5 years. Bordered by wire fence and really an eye sore.

When in NY better go elsewhere there are awesome places to visit. Just my $0.02

My experience was very emotional… It’s so sad to be standing where hundreds of people sacrificed their lives.