Heads down - we’re in New York!
Only you can’t do that, keep your head down that is. It’s one of those cities where you simply can’t help but look up - in amazement most of the time. The skyscrapers that make up the famous skyline of Manhattan just won’t let you stop admiring them as they tower above you.
And the wonderment as old nestles happily with the new.
And one majestic building reflects its neighbour.
So, if you want to look down there’s only one thing to do - that’s go up. I don’t like heights, I won’t even climb a ladder, but I wasn’t going to let that beat me. I hopped on an elevator (after a virtual tour on seats that moved, giving the sensation of flying over the city, which was great fun) and waited for my stomach to be left behind as we were hurtled up towards the top of the Empire State Building. I was rather disappointed that it was quite sedate, my stomach lurched more in the lift at the hotel, where we only had to travel 11 floors.
We took photos - when we could.
And admired the view - when we could.
August is not the best month of the year to come and do the tourist bit. The whole world is here, and everyone has the very same Wish List as you - so it was a question of waiting patiently or jostling for a decent position.
I persevered and got some panoramic scenes of the city - during the day, obviously. This meant another trip up another skyscraper at night to get more shots of the city. Glutton for punishment or what!
And, of course, we had to go to the Statue of Liberty. Getting there, I could say, took two days. Off we toddled after breakfast on the first morning. We’d have to queue, but it wouldn’t be too bad, would it?
Oh yes it would!
We gave up and decided to return the next day - early.
Instead a complete shift in mood.
We went to Ground Zero. If asked why, I'd say because we had to. Although the memorial isn't finished, but should be ready for next month's tenth anniversary, it was an incredibly moving experience. It is simply impossible to imagine what it must have been like in New York on that tragic day.
We gave up and decided to return the next day - early.
Instead a complete shift in mood.
We went to Ground Zero. If asked why, I'd say because we had to. Although the memorial isn't finished, but should be ready for next month's tenth anniversary, it was an incredibly moving experience. It is simply impossible to imagine what it must have been like in New York on that tragic day.
The reconstruction in progress - not so much 'life moves on', more the strength of the phoenix rising.
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And there was the small church of Trinity, directly opposite Twin Towers. Amazingly, it survived. It became a sanctuary for the rescuers. Somewhere they could pause to try and rest and to get food.
It also became the focal point for many. Somewhere those who had lost loved ones could post photos of them - in the hope that they had survived, were wandering around dazed and confused - and would be recognised and found; and somewhere for others, especially school children, to leave messages of hope and encouragement.
Today all those messages have been kept and are on display in this small church.
Children's hand prints with messages for the rescue workers.
The Bell of Hope was presented to the people of New York on 11th September, 2002 by the Mayor of London. It is rung every year on 9/11 and was also rung on 7th July, 2005 - the day of the London Underground and bus attacks.
This bronze statue of an ordinary working man also survived. Slightly wounded, he was taken away to be repaired and cleaned up before being put back in his original position. A reminder that those who lost their lives were just that - ordinary people going about their daily business.
In some small way we paid our respects to the victims of 9/11, and the brave members of the emergency services who walked into those buildings hoping to save lives - some in the sure knowledge that in doing so, they would lose their own.
