story813.xml

story813.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-06-22

On the morning of September 11, 2001 I was in a taxicab enroute to a training session for work. Normally, I drive to work from Vienna, VA to Riverdale, MD. This day, I took the Metro and then a cab. The cab driver was grumpy after I told him that I wanted to take the cab from Pennsylvania Ave NW downtown to Wisconsin Ave NW uptown in Tenleytown. I believe he was interested in only downtown fares. The cab driver was listening to National Public Radio's Morning Edition program. The newscaster broke into the normal programming to say that it is believed that a commuter plane crashed into one of the two towers of the World Trade Center. I gave the cab driver a generous tip and I was on my way.

An older woman then stopped me in the street and told me that a second plane had hit the other tower of the World Trade Center. I proceeded to my training session and I apoligized for being a few minutes late. I then shared what I heard. Within seconds, I made almost everyone get upset. I then told my peers that I couldn't confirm whether what I heard was true. I really didn't want to make anyone cry.

Within minutes, we got confirmation that the planes were hit. Next, we heard that there were more planes unaccounted for and rumors started flying that more buildings were hit. Unfortunately, we found out the Pentagon was hit. We were then told that we had to leave. Luckily, I was able to get in touch with an old friend who lived nearby and I arranged to stay with him. I also called my Dad and broke the news to him. I was lucky I could talk to him. Many of my peers were frustrated when their phones did not work.

I walked with the training coordinator down Wisconsin Avenue to my friend's apartment in the Chancery across from the Nationa Cathedral. We watched TV and watched history unfold. Hours later, we got some food at a nearby cafe. Wisconin Ave was empty. There were no cars on the road and absence of sound was eery. My old friend drove me to the Metro station and I rode the train home. When the train left the tunnel enrout to Vienna, I got a phone call from my friend Francois in Paris. He was crying. He was glad that I was alive. When I got home, I got a phone call from my friend Adriana in Porte Alegre, Brazil. She was happy that I was ok and felt very sad for the people in New York. In July 2001, I took Adriana to New York City. When I checked my E-mail, I had three frantic E-mails from an old girlfriend in Japan. She wanted to know if I was ok.

"Dear Mike,

I can't believe what happened to NYC and D.C.
Are you all right?
I hope all your family and your friends are safe.
Let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
Take good care!

Love,
Mai"

"Mike,

I have been worried abot you a lot.
Please e-mail me if you are all right.

Mai"

"Mike,

I am sooooooo relieved now.
I am happy that you and your family are safe.
I hope Eric is all right, too.
I almost cried when I got your e-mail.
I have so many things that I want to write, but am confused and don't
know
what to write.
I am just happy to hear that you are safe.
I have belie
I know how you feel, but everything will be fine soon.
I still can't believe this is happening, though.
I am always here for you!
Let me know if you need anything.
I will e-mail you soon.
I will e-mail you more often, too.
I am sorry that I haven't e-mail you back for a while.
Please take good care.
I hope you can sleep well.

Love,
Mai"