story589.xml

story589.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-05-13

I left my home in Surrey, England on September 10th 2001. I arrived in New York and was very excited as I was about to embark on a 6 week tour around the USA. Little did I know that the following day would change my life. I was due to leave New York with 'Trek America' on September 12th, that left me with one day to visit as much as I could in New York. That day was September 11th, now the most famous date in history.
All of my friends and family knew I was visiting New York and they all knew I had one day to see as much as I could. On arrival in New York i went as soon as I could to the Empire State Building because I wanted to see the city come alive at night from the top. I remember that on the monday evening was one of the biggest storms I have ever seen, which is probably why the weather was so nice on the tuesday. Because of the storm, the visibilty at the top was terrible so I was advised to purchase my ticket and return the following day.
I woke up very early on tuesday and I remember that the only headline on the news was the fact that Michael Jordan was returning to basketball. It is really strange how small, insignificant things seemed to have stayed in my memory!
I got on the metro early and headed down to Battery Park as my aim was to work back up Manhatten during the day. I almost got off the metro at the WTC stop, but for some unknown reason I didn't. That was probably the best decision I have ever made.
When I got down to Battery Park I began following the signs round to the Statue of Liberty ferry. It was then I remember seeing some people looking up at the towers. I saw that one of them was on fire. My initial reaction was to brush it off as just a fire, and I am sure it will be out soon. I had no idea a plane had ripped into the building. I carried on walking towards the ferry station, where I joined about 20 or so people just standing amazed at the towers.
Then from no where was this rumble. A noise I will never forget. It was an engine. I turned away from the towers, and almost within touching distance was a bright silver plane. It was gleaming in the sunshine. The engines began to increase in velocity, the noise increased and then to my shock flew into the other tower. There was the fireball first and then followed by the boom of the explosion. Now I thought I was in a movie, like I had removed myself from reality and was watching these events happening but not to me. It was like I was on the outside looking in. But then there were screams as people starting running into the park and this bought me back to reality. People were trying to phone relatives. Tears were following everywhere I looked. I knew no-one at all. I was alone. It was honestly the most alone and terrified I have ever felt in my life. The coolest man in the park was a policeman. I will never forget him. He was telling everyone to calm down and stay where they were and not too panic. That kind of assurance was exactly what I needed and whoever he was, I thank him. But now as people began running into the park they were shouting thats 2, thats 2, get outta here. It was then I realised that this was no accident and something more sinister was happening. I would have given anything to see just one familiar face but nothing. I was completely alone.
I began walking away from the park and followed a group of american guys. I heard from them that the pentagon had also been hit, and I thought what on earth is going on? and why am I in this country? It was a strange, selfish thought but at the time it just seemed natural. The full reality of the situation didn't strike me until I returned to the hotel. On the walk back, I heard that one of the towers had collapsed and the other I saw drop as we stood watching from a safe distance. After two and a half hours of walking I got back to the hotel and began watching the events on TV. Things started to hit home then. How close I was to it. The fact that if a terrorist I have never met chose to delay this action by an hour or so i would have been stood at the top of the towers. The fact that so many people had lost their life. The fact that when that plane flew over me the people inside were alive, but more terrified than is ever possible to imagine. Things like that still haunt me today. I sat at the bar in the hotel and broke down. It just hit me. The strangers in the bar were supportive and I can't thank them all enough. After finally speaking to a very worried family back home, I continued with my trip and have to say it was excellent. But that day will stay with me forever, and I know I will never forget it because there are constant reminders in my life. But I see that as a way I can try and make my life better. That day showed me not only how precious life is, but what constitutes a real hero and real spirit between people.