After all these years, my heart still hurts. I was on top of the south tower July 11th, 2000 and still have my ticket stub. I vividly remember the whole experience that day. The elevators in the center of the vast building that took less than 60 seconds to get to the top (my head dizzy going up and my stomach sick whizzing back down). Then, there was a huge empty floor with almost no security. Maybe two security guards that resembled those who worked at the airport where you’d put your belongings on a tray/ conveyor belt and they would use a metal detector on each person before getting to go on the observation deck…which consisted of an escalator in the middle, which took everyone to the top. The view was incredible. Seeing the north tower with its tall antennae at the top and the tiny bustling city below. Below that floor, there was a restaurant, gift shop and a huge detailed model of Manhattan, which really impressed me. I remember looking out the thick glass windows below. At the gift shop I bought some souvenirs. A small, bronze miniature statue of The World Trade Center. There was a restaurant nearby. Windows everywhere to observe the view 360 degrees around the building. It was a very memorable experience.
Although, not as memorable as watching a year and two months later, and seeing both towers collapse. Surreal. Gut wrenching. Still sick about it. It is one of those moments where you never forget the time and place where you were and what you were doing. It leaves an indelible mark on your soul.
Also, I don’t want to forget to highlight the heroes aboard flight 93, and the lives lost at the Pentagon. God Bless all the innocent souls lost and their families, as well as all those directly affected by this tragedy. No we will never forget.
After all these years, my heart still hurts. I was on top of the south tower July 11th, 2000 and still have my ticket stub. I vividly remember the whole experience that day. The elevators in the center of the vast building that took less than 60 seconds to get to the top (my head dizzy going up and my stomach sick whizzing back down). Then, there was a huge empty floor with almost no security. Maybe two security guards that resembled those who worked at the airport where you’d put your belongings on a tray/ conveyor belt and they would use a metal detector on each person before getting to go on the observation deck…which consisted of an escalator in the middle, which took everyone to the top. The view was incredible. Seeing the north tower with its tall antennae at the top and the tiny bustling city below. Below that floor, there was a restaurant, gift shop and a huge detailed model of Manhattan, which really impressed me. I remember looking out the thick glass windows below. At the gift shop I bought some souvenirs. A small, bronze miniature statue of The World Trade Center. There was a restaurant nearby. Windows everywhere to observe the view 360 degrees around the building. It was a very memorable experience.
Although, not as memorable as watching a year and two months later, and seeing both towers collapse. Surreal. Gut wrenching. Still sick about it. It is one of those moments where you never forget the time and place where you were and what you were doing. It leaves an indelible mark on your soul.
Also, I don’t want to forget to highlight the heroes aboard flight 93, and the lives lost at the Pentagon. God Bless all the innocent souls lost and their families, as well as all those directly affected by this tragedy. No we will never forget.