story9578.xml

story9578.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-09-10

I was 16 years old and it was around 10:15pm, in my hometown of Adelaide, South
Australia, when the first plane plowed through the first
tower. I was totally unaware since my mum and sister had
already gone to bed, as did I. We were blissfully unaware of the
turmoil and shock that was unfolding on the other side
of the world.

I woke up at 6:55am the next day to my clock/radio, lying
in bed waiting to have a shower. I listened to the 7:00am
news. The words that the newsreader spoke didn't register
with me.... I had no vague idea what the twin towers were.

My sister came from the bathroom so I relayed the news back
to her. I don't think we had any idea how big this really
was. I took a shower thinking about the news I had heard.
I was in shock.

I got changed and turned the TV onto a music channel. Half of me
didnt want to face up to the stories the other half was still
in shock. On the bottom of the screen came up something like this:
"Twin towers collapsed. Turn onto all news channels. I put the
TV onto channel 9 which would normally have idle chit chat
on the Today program but not today. I believed it more when I
actually saw it. A plane cutting into a concrete structure
like a hot knife through butter. I couldnt believe it.
I still dont.....

I called my sister into the room. she asked me questions
but how was I to know the answers? It was incomprehensable.

Those images on the screen scared me. I was used to my
safe, routine life but now I was scared. What was happening?

The rest of the morning was a daze. The bus seemed more
silent than usual. Everyone looked straight ahead trying
to carry on. Just as confused as the next.

The day was spent watching news channels. Those images
played over and over and over. I wanted more information
because knowledge is power but I also didnt.

I got home and my parents wanted to watch the news non stop.
I was sick of it. I was sure that watching it too much
would give me psychlogical damage.

Terrorists. Filthy. Cowardly. Murderers.

It was
weird seing business people covered in dust with pain and
terror in their eyes. Disbelief. I think that this event
helps us focus on our loved ones and Life. Not numbers

I was scared for Australia. My family and my life. Were we
safe?

I felt so sad for all the people killed and hurt. It was
wierd how something that happened on the other side of
the globe could affect me so much.

Two years on I am 18 and I still dont believe it. It's just too much.
I want to visit the trade centre site to get closure and to
see it right there. Thats what happened.

My thoughts are with all of the people who died and their
family and friends.

XOXO Rachel O'Brien