story430.xml

story430.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-04-17

Good morning,

This is our story, and remember this is only one of eight millon, and by far not the sadest one.
Chris and I were getting dressed and saw on the news that the world trade center was on fire.
We grabbed our camera and headed for the roof, as we were looking at the north tower burning I was taking picture when the second jet hit the south tower. Until this point we thought it was a horrible accident, and then we got scared. Someone else came up to the roof with a transistor radio saying they hit DC also. We did not know what to do, thinking this is an attack on New York and where is the next hit going to take place. As the two buildings were burning F16 started flying over head, Chris and I went back downstairs and saw on TV what looked like the south tower gone, but with all the smoke and dusk it looked invisible. We gathered our most valuable possessions, some jewelry and photos and then we went back up on the roof only to see the north tower collapse. At this point, there was about 25 or 30 people on all the roofs around our building. People started scremming and crying. The smoke was so thick that you could not tell where the towers used to be, hoping as it cleared here and there that they would still be there.
We went out and got food and money, and the exodus had already started. 1st Avenue was like a parking lot and the sidewalks packed with people, both the cars and people were covered with dusk. Our phones were out, so we could not be reached or contact friends or family. Chris? sister had a conference scheduled for today the 13th at Windows of the World on the 107th floor of the world trade center, her brother-in-law takes the subway which goes under the trade center. We could not reach then and it was scary. Later, we found them, and because all traffic and brigdes were closed (they live in Brooklyn) they came over until the subway was running. After they headed to Brooklyn, we went to give blood, but so many people had already giving blood they had no more supplies to hold the blood. New Yorks can be hard people, but they can also have the biggest hearts.
Yesterday I went to work with Chris, usually there?s about 30 people there, but yesterday there was only 5 some of them lost loved ones
, Giuliani said to stay home if you can and with all the bridges and tunnels closed no one could get in anyway. I walked around Times Square yesterday and it was like a ghost town, As Chris and I walked home the smoke got heavy, the wind has mostly been blowing southeast, but last evening it switched northeast which is in our direction, we are about a mile and a half from the towers. Our neighborhood is completely blocked off by the police, we have to show ID?s to get below 14th Street, which is kind of scary (big brotherish), but you do feel a little safe, I think.
Now, today the 13th it?s still like a ghost town below 14th street, just police cars, truck, and ambulances with sirens on. Every ambulance that goes by all you can do is hope it?s a survivor they got out.
People keep calling the police saying there are bombs all over the city, causing the police and army to close down all the land marks and streets.
The smkoe is getting heavy again.
I feel so bad L, it?s so sad.
Take care and hud the ones you love because you never no.
Love Robert