     |
|
March 5th - Early start to the World Trade Center and Memorial with a small group of HAIS students, again we took the subway and enjoyed the walk thru the Memorial and then across the street to BrookField Place Mall by the river, we are pictured here with the statue of Liberty in the background ( Carmen was here back in '02 just after the attack) I have been here to New York five times but never once to the Statue.
We soon break off from the kids, they have to go back to the United Nations event and Carmen and I stay behind since Carmen will not be able to get in without a pass, I'm OK with not going since I had gone last year already. we take a couple of subways to the MET, were we had lunch of a couple of hot dogs in front of the Metropolitan Museum. Once in the building we each donate $5 and stayed mostly in the European and American paintings section. We slowly walked and sat a lot since we have been going non-stop for 4 days, already worn out we head back to the hotel to meet the group that is headed out to Chelsea Market. On the way back from the museum to the hotel, pretty tired from the MET we stopped and had lunch at a health food place. We were so tired that we caught a bus, but after the bus driver saw that we did not have a bus pass he lets Carmen and I ride for free, we were thankful as our feet were hurting so much already.
Right after arriving at the hotel we get about an hour rest before heading back out, this time a journey towards Chelsea market. We walked around the market and found a nice elephant bracelet for Jessica and now hungry again, we stopped of and got lots of samples of food while Carmen had some clam Chowder at the market. Afterwards, Nat and her mother were going to keep walking with the students, but Carmen and I broke off and went to a bookstore, but within 5 minutes of us being in the store they closed, we continued to walk north and found an Italian Restaurant were we had a dinner, actually shared a dinner and Carmen had a salad, we were sat in the corner of the restaurant,it was a nice atmosphere and being in the corner gave me the opportunity to take off my shoes, after dinner it was to the subway and back to the hotel. Pretty worn out, Carmen went to sleep and I had to stay up till 12 to do room check with the kids.
We soon break off from the kids, they have to go back to the United Nations event and Carmen and I stay behind since Carmen will not be able to get in without a pass, I'm OK with not going since I had gone last year already. we take a couple of subways to the MET, were we had lunch of a couple of hot dogs in front of the Metropolitan Museum. Once in the building we each donate $5 and stayed mostly in the European and American paintings section. We slowly walked and sat a lot since we have been going non-stop for 4 days, already worn out we head back to the hotel to meet the group that is headed out to Chelsea Market. On the way back from the museum to the hotel, pretty tired from the MET we stopped and had lunch at a health food place. We were so tired that we caught a bus, but after the bus driver saw that we did not have a bus pass he lets Carmen and I ride for free, we were thankful as our feet were hurting so much already.
Right after arriving at the hotel we get about an hour rest before heading back out, this time a journey towards Chelsea market. We walked around the market and found a nice elephant bracelet for Jessica and now hungry again, we stopped of and got lots of samples of food while Carmen had some clam Chowder at the market. Afterwards, Nat and her mother were going to keep walking with the students, but Carmen and I broke off and went to a bookstore, but within 5 minutes of us being in the store they closed, we continued to walk north and found an Italian Restaurant were we had a dinner, actually shared a dinner and Carmen had a salad, we were sat in the corner of the restaurant,it was a nice atmosphere and being in the corner gave me the opportunity to take off my shoes, after dinner it was to the subway and back to the hotel. Pretty worn out, Carmen went to sleep and I had to stay up till 12 to do room check with the kids.
Carmen - This morning we took a walk to visit Ground Zero Memorial with a group of students. This is my second visit to the site......I was here in February of 2002. The site was still a huge hole with smoke coming up from the open earth where the tower stood. I along with the teachers from Panda Path stood at the street and stared at the empty hole for hours.....so long that one of my boots melted and had a hole from one of the famous vents that let out heat in Winter. Walking up to the site all my memories came back.....the posters on the wooden bridge that led to the work site. The candles and flowers outside the church. The makeshift feeding center for the rescue workers. What a tragic event. Now walking across the sidewalk I see the beautiful trees covered in snow, the waterfall with the nameplates. On my first visit I saw the firefighters walking with heavy loads and heads down. The Fire helmets seemed to weigh their heads down. I stood and watched and felt ashamed to be watching.....and not to be doing, helping.... I wanted the image to forever be with me. On my first visit I was able to see the fight and love the brotherhood of firefighters gave from around the country to New York brought us together as a Nation. Today as I see the waterfall and the roses placed on the plaques - I am reminded that this is the site for many that they honor as the place their loved one rests....for they never left the Tower on that fatal day 9/11.
The students had to return to their sessions and Robert and I walked over to the MET / Metropolitan Museum of Art. We rode the subway and walked part of the way.....walk, walk, walk. Once we arrived to the big museum and I saw the hotdog wagon parked by the steps - I just had to have a hot-dog! I sat on the steps of the MET and ate my NY Dog. Always, people coming and going....and I just sat there on the cold steps with the sun at my back and ate my hot-dog. Once inside - I loved being able to check my coat. What a gracious gesture! So timeless. The beautiful natural flower arrangements in the giant urns were full of Cherry Blooms. I loved going around and seeing the art..... the stairway .....the beautiful rooms that have been in movies and books that I have read.
The students had to return to their sessions and Robert and I walked over to the MET / Metropolitan Museum of Art. We rode the subway and walked part of the way.....walk, walk, walk. Once we arrived to the big museum and I saw the hotdog wagon parked by the steps - I just had to have a hot-dog! I sat on the steps of the MET and ate my NY Dog. Always, people coming and going....and I just sat there on the cold steps with the sun at my back and ate my hot-dog. Once inside - I loved being able to check my coat. What a gracious gesture! So timeless. The beautiful natural flower arrangements in the giant urns were full of Cherry Blooms. I loved going around and seeing the art..... the stairway .....the beautiful rooms that have been in movies and books that I have read.
This day was just full of beautiful sites....with Chelsea Market being one of them. Loved the atmosphere with the hanging lights and the open area of shops and restaurants. It was while I was in this market that I thought.......no wonder New Yorkers never want to leave this city! The food, the sights, the smell of all the spices.....the international mix is everywhere. I walked into a shop that had fresh seafood to be purchased and cooked on the spot. I opted to have a medium cup of Clam Chowder...... m m good! If I ever come back to NY - i must come here again.
We walked out with the group of students and teachers and then walked out to the streets...Robert and I broke off and went to a small bookstore. The walls were so high - that they had a tall ladder to get the books.....just like some movies I've seen. I love books and I love this place. We then walked and found a small Italian restaurant to sit and have dinner. We sat by the window, with the heater at our back. It's cold outside and late, but still I see many people coming and going, talking and having a great time. I take a picture out the window....because I feel such happiness to be alive, to be there with Robert and to be part of the big life of NY City.
We walked out with the group of students and teachers and then walked out to the streets...Robert and I broke off and went to a small bookstore. The walls were so high - that they had a tall ladder to get the books.....just like some movies I've seen. I love books and I love this place. We then walked and found a small Italian restaurant to sit and have dinner. We sat by the window, with the heater at our back. It's cold outside and late, but still I see many people coming and going, talking and having a great time. I take a picture out the window....because I feel such happiness to be alive, to be there with Robert and to be part of the big life of NY City.