story9028.xml
Title
story9028.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2003-02-04
911DA Story: Story
My name's Barbara, 21.I'm not American (but German). I was on vacation in Southern Florida, and in the morning of September 11 we (my friend Ulli and me)were on our way to Orlando. Our driver received a call from his wife (she didn't know if he was in New York or wherever) asking if he was Ok. We switched on the radio and heard about a plane having hit WTC. Minutes later there were just screams and finally we could understand that a second plane had hit...it became obvious it couldn't be an accident.
We stopped at St.Petersburg. Everybody kept asking if we had already heard the terrible news and everbody told us different stories about what had happened.
In a hotel lounge we saw the first tower crumble, together with people from all over the world, bartenders, hotelmanager etc.
We continued on to Orlando because we didn't really know what else to do, most of the day we stayed glued to the TV. We tried to reach our parents and friends, but couldn't get through. There were only short messages coming in, asking if we had heard, if we were Ok, what we knew... It was scary to be trapped in a country at such a time, not knowing what would happen next, if Bush would strike back, when we could get a flight back home, etc.
But on some absurd level I'm grateful I have been there since it helps me to understand the spirit of that nation. Americans found so much strength in singing their Anthem and in waving flags proudly. I didn't learn that when I was growing up, but it is something I envy Americans for.
In September 2002 both of us returned to the USA- New York City. We visited Ground Zero, a shiver still running down our spines.
Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, they will never be forgotten.
The following poem I found at the fence of St.Paul's Cathedral:
"Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am a diamond glint in snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die."
God bless America.
We stopped at St.Petersburg. Everybody kept asking if we had already heard the terrible news and everbody told us different stories about what had happened.
In a hotel lounge we saw the first tower crumble, together with people from all over the world, bartenders, hotelmanager etc.
We continued on to Orlando because we didn't really know what else to do, most of the day we stayed glued to the TV. We tried to reach our parents and friends, but couldn't get through. There were only short messages coming in, asking if we had heard, if we were Ok, what we knew... It was scary to be trapped in a country at such a time, not knowing what would happen next, if Bush would strike back, when we could get a flight back home, etc.
But on some absurd level I'm grateful I have been there since it helps me to understand the spirit of that nation. Americans found so much strength in singing their Anthem and in waving flags proudly. I didn't learn that when I was growing up, but it is something I envy Americans for.
In September 2002 both of us returned to the USA- New York City. We visited Ground Zero, a shiver still running down our spines.
Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, they will never be forgotten.
The following poem I found at the fence of St.Paul's Cathedral:
"Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am a diamond glint in snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die."
God bless America.
Collection
Citation
“story9028.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed January 9, 2025, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/14663.