...an American tragedy remembered

Our last two days in New York were spent sightseeing.  Donna took me to Central Park, where we strolled around for nearly an hour.  I had never been to the park before, and I was amazed at just how big it is...and beautiful too.  As we walked along 59th Street, which borders the southern edge of the park, we admired the beautiful apartment buildings that overlooked the lush greenery of the park, and wondered just how much those places must cost...a fortune I bet!

Apartments along 59th Street, overlooking Central Park

As we exited the park, we walked east towards Columbus Square, and found an interesting art exhibit, aptly named "Faces of Ground Zero - 10 Years Later".  This amazing exhibit, by photographer Joe McNally, displays over fifty life-sized photographs of some of the surviving heroes of 9-11...many of them firefighters.  Next to each photograph is a description of each individual, as well as an excerpt from an interview with each subject.  It was heart wrenching to read the stories of each of these heroes...some of whom (firefighters) told of losing their family members, who were also firefighters.  To say the least, it was a very sobering exhibit.

Donna next to the fountains at Columbus Square

Amazing life-sized hi-def photography

Later that day, we made our way towards Ground-Zero to see the progress of the memorial, as well as the new One-World Trade Center tower.  I had not been to this area since me original visit, and I was really looking forward to getting a glimpse of the memorial.  The site was not slated to open to the public until September 12th however, and the view of the area was obstructed by a tall fence, making it impossible to see the memorial.  The tower however, was quite visible...and extremely impressive.  

A look inside the exhibit

The building was originally dubbed as the ‘Freedom Tower’ however, it is now officially known as One World Trade Center, or 1 WTC.  Construction began on the building on April 27, 2006 and is scheduled to be completed in 2013.  The tower is being constructed on the same site as the original 6 World Trade Center, an 8-story building that was demolished during the events of 9-11.  Upon completion, 1 WTC will be 105-stories tall, making it the tallest building in the U.S. and one of the tallest in the world...1,776 feet.  The height is fitting to say the least, as it represents the year of our country’s independence.  

This is what 1-WTC looks like currently...

...and this is what it will look like in 2013

We happened upon FDNY Firehouse 10, or 10-House as it is referred to, which is located right on the corner of Liberty Street, across from the WTC. This fire station is possibly the most photographed station in the world, as it sits just a few yards from Ground Zero...in fact, it is technically within Ground Zero!  10-House lost six brother  firefighters on 9-11, as well as their house.  This fire station was rebuilt after sustaining significant damage as a result of the collapse of the twin towers.  

Ladder 10

Memorializing fallen brothers

When we walked by the fire station, I was amazed by just how many people were congregating just outside the apparatus bay doors.  As I made my way through the mass of people, poking my head inside to the see the trucks, I noticed a beautiful memorial to the six lost brothers, located inside the bays.  Many of the on-duty firefighters were outside, taking pictures with the visitors...it was great to see them interacting with the public in that way...saying thank you for their support over the years, especially since that fateful day that took the lives of 343 members of their family.

9-11 Memorial outside of FDNY 10-House

This gives you a better perspective of the size...this is just half!

We decided to grab a little lunch, so we headed south towards Battery Park, where we found a restaurant right on the waterfront.  After a nice lunch, we walked back toward the financial center, along the Hudson River.  As we walked, I looked across the river at New Jersey, and imagined what it would have been like to witness Chelsey Sullenberger, the Captain of US Airways Flight 1549, safely ditch his A320 Passenger Jet into that river, saving the lives of all 154 people on board...amazing!

10-House's station patch

As we made our way back uptown, Donna walked me through 3-World Financial Center, where the American Express Corporate offices are located.  The entrance to the AMEX offices is on the second floor, and as we walked by I stopped to take a picture of the American Express sign above the entry point.  As soon as I lifted my phone to snap a picture, a security guard...all right, yes...a rent-a-cop, shouted at me, and lifted a finger; shaking it side to side as if he was my mother telling me not to do something.  Really?  Did he think I was going to obtain someone confidential information, such as someones credit card number, through the cheesy lens of my iPhone camera?  I mean, come on!  The only thing visible from the outside is the very sterile looking reception desk...nothing else is visible!  If I remember right, I performed a very adult-like roll of my eyes, and tried my best to snap a picture as I walked away...as if to say "whatever!"  I know, I know...not very nice, but like I said in my last post..."when in Rome"...after all, it was New York! :)

My attempt to get a shot of the AMEX...on the run!

That night we had a nice dinner at a wine bar by the name of Ayza, which is a really cool little place located on west 31st Street in Manhattan.  We sat out on the patio and enjoyed the nice cool evening...something we hadn’t experienced in Phoenix for a few months...it was very relaxing, and a great way to spend our last night in the city.  We called it an early night as we had to get back to the hotel to pack for our early morning return flight to Phoenix...where we would unpack, and repack for our next trip...which by the way, was the very next day!

I highly recommend it...11 West 31st Street.

 

Before we left however, I was determined to don my racing gear, and get a shot of me riding my bike in New York.  After nearly three whole seconds of thought...I decided not to unpack my bike.  Here's how it went down instead...

That's my bike case I'm riding...better than nothing!

That’s right!  We were leaving the next day for our long awaited summer vacation...St. Maarten!