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In honor of September 11th, my stepfather, a retired Marine, was asked to address my small hometown in Cali and speak at a remembrance ceremony. And across the country, I paid my respects here in NYC.
Having lived here (but just visiting on business at the moment), I always find it interesting how quiet this city can become when thoughts of 9/11 settle in, as if the collective consciousness becomes calmly introspective. Even the local news stations allow for silence on the air, followed by the lonely and haunting sounds of bagpipes which seem to play every year on the anniversary of that day.
It is hard to fathom, really. I suppose only a potent silence or a singular tune could really express what that day must have been like for so many.
But the respect people seem to have carried through is still expressed in small moments– as I was walking down the street, a firetruck was rounding the city block and a group of people, 4 or 5 grown men and women began clapping and one of them yelled out “Thank you!” in sort of a choked burst of emotion.
The honor here is palpable.
Now I wouldn’t consider myself a heavily religious person, but I have great fondness for the St. Paul Church near what is considered Ground Zero. This church was built in the 1760′s and has a history spanning from hosting George Washington’s inauguration to surviving the American Revolutionary War to surviving the attacks on September 11th. While buildings around it were destroyed in the collapse of the World Trade Center, this little church that could survived and became a place of refuge for rescuers and those rescued — while everything around it became chaotic debris, the church did not even have a broken window.
(photo by wallyg)
Inside of the chapel now stands a display of honor for those who’s lives ended or were altered forever by that day:
A chalice made from World Trade Center debris.
The boot of a rescue worker who gave his life.
Across this country, whether in a small town, uptown, or downtown, we come together in honoring all who were effected, all who are effected, and all who continue to serve our country and humanity on a whole.
Thank you.
The morning of the 4th of July, I woke to the sounds of birds and *lovely* mountain quiet. Last week I had gone from NYC to SF to my small mountain hometown in Cali and, while I definitely enjoy zooming around the country, I was one oh-so-happy camper coming home to decompress and just BE for the weekend.
Well, I was enjoying the quiet until I went to an extended family BBQ on my new step-mother’s side… There were almost thirty people there, most of them children, and all of them related in one way or another. One immediate family alone was a solid thirteen. Thirteen! That’s eleven children and two adults. Then of course there were the uncles and nieces and nephews, etc., etc. Plus the grandparents…
The grandfather seemed to take a bit of a liking to me. And by *liking* I mean the way a child looks at a zoo animal or the way a mechanical man looks at a car on display at a car show.
Him: “You were in New York City??”
Me: I sure was!
Him: Wow… The high-rises and everything?
Me: Yep, the high-rises and all!
Him: Wow….
Then he’d leave to get seven-layer dip.
Then he’d come back.
Him: Wow… So you have an elevator where you live?
Me: I do have an elevator, yeah.
Him: Wow! (then he’d turn to his wife) She’s been in high-rises in New York City and has an elevator where she lives. An ELEVATOR.
Then he’d leave to get more seven-layer dip.
Then he’d come back.
This went on for a couple of hours. It was quite funny ~ it’s a great reminder to enjoy the adventure of life. And I must say, it also made me grateful that I have a family who celebrates my independence and has always encouraged me to have adventures.
As if I actually need encouraging…
So here’s to celebrating our country’s independence ~ and our own inner and outer freedom.
From NYC (elevators!) to the my lil’ mountain hometown in Cali… Cheers!
Miraculously sunny day here in NYC ~ hooray!~ so I celebrated by venturing to lower Manhattan’s South Street Seaport. Apparently this area has the highest concentration of historic buildings in Manhattan and seems to have done a great job of maintaining that old maritime feeling (I actually felt like I should cheers with an ice-cold beer and yell “argh!” in a loud gruffy voice…maybe throw a barstool, etc.) with contemporary additions (shops and such) that add a bit of a Disneyland sort of animated feeling to the area.
The more recent appearances of J.Crew and Abercrombie & Fitch aside, mercantile buildings from the 19th century that have been renovated, sailing ships such as the Peking from 1911, old wooden planks, and creeky docks, I’m happy to say, still take center stage.
Well, for me they did.
So here are my tips for visiting the South Street Seaport:
1. Take a moment to appreciate the history. The heydey of the seaport was from 1820 – 1860! (I never stop loving the feeling of historic roots in NYC… I’m a bit of a nerd that way.)
2. Investigate the view– the Brooklyn Bridge, the juxtaposition of old and new, etc.
3. Eat/drink something while sitting outside. Lots of fun little/big cafes and eateries.
4. Wear sunscreen. Oops!
5. Take pictures. : )
Received a note that the folks at “Schmap!!” have selected one of my photos of the empire state building to include in their “beyond the map” travel guides (7th edition). Fun! I feel so official.
And here’s the actual photo. Nothing brilliant but it’s making me recall, with great fondness, what the sky looks like. Ah, Sunshine. *Sigh*
I realize I’ve mentioned Farmer’s Markets before but it’s coming at you again (with a slideshow this time!): If you’re in NY on a sunny Saturday and searching for something to do that is casual/relating to food/not too taxing/an adventure for the senses… I recommend the Farmer’s Market at Union Square. People strolling, buying fresh food and flowers and bread and pie, laughing, crying (apparently the kid really wanted that berry pie), savoring (while sampling), etc.
Good start to the day…makes one feel connected (interesting how talking to the farmers who grow your food can do that.)
