[Laneco]

This past summer, I was working in bergen county NJ. Had a Sunday off so I hopped a ferry, the a bus and went to ground zero. It was first time I had been to NYC (only time actually). The size of the buildings in that area are absolutely staggering.

Didn't know exactly where to go so I just started walking. Through the buildings, I could see a huge open area. I thought it was a park and headed toward it.

It wasn't a park. IT was the 57 odd acre hole that was two huge and several smaller buildings. Now, just a really big hole. I circumnavigated the whole area and wound up on the side with the little fire department. It was then the enormity of it hit me. The fire department is literally on top of ground zero. I was looking at the faces of the fireman who had lost their friends/coworkers in that attack.

Have to say, I'm a pretty tough human being. I do 24 hour mountain bike races (solo), done unmedicated childbirth yada yada. And this brought me to my knees. My chest hurt so bad I thought I was going to explode. Wound up hopping over a little jersey barrier, sitting on the asphalt bawling my eyes out and calling up my daddy.

I live in Oregon. I watched the towers fall on TV. But going to the place, seeing that pit, is a whole different feeling. You'll be surrounded by people, some grifters, but mostly people who came to see this place - maybe to gain some closure. People from all over the world, not just America. And they show respect - even sadness. I didn't expect that.

angela