Wednesday, July 18, 2012

The Memorial

On my last trip to NY a good friend got me a great rate at a hotel in downtown that was located right next to the World Trade Center site. Even though I had been in that area on previous trips I have never been this close and with direct view of the site. This proximity of course made it mandatory for me to go and visit the site and see the memorial.


If you go make sure you get the free pass required to enter, you can get them online or by stopping by the visitor center. And so I did, at 2pm I made my way there and went through the many security layers and images of everywhere of that day.


The site opens up into a park surrounded by a fence covering the multiple construction works being done around it as well as the imposing glass towers rising slowly into the New York skyline. 


The pools or fountains that are part of the memorial are imposing and the sounds the water makes are it falls into the center makes you feel a bit more at ease with the general vibe you get from being there. The walls that surround them are made of black stone and one them are engraved the names of all the people lost on 9/11 and on the 1993 terrorist attempt.


Near the center of the park you can find what they call the "Survivor Tree" {see photo above}. The story of this tree is truly remarkable as it was found as a stump amongst the debris of the towers from where it was transferred to a park somewhere in the city. In 2010 the tree almost died as a consequence of severe flooding in the city but it survived. Finally, it was brought back to its original site to remind us about survival and resilience.


I look forward to come back to see the progress and the final product of the work of all these people who are making this place not just the perfect example of what recovery is but also a place of remembrance.

Have a great day!

26 comments:

  1. I wonder if it´s the same hotel that I´ve lived on, I could look down on where the towers used to stand from my hotel window?!

    Beautiful pics, I haven´t seen the memorial but was very moved when I saw the actual place in real life. Seemed like yesterday when I saw it happen on TV, I´ll never forget that.

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  2. I passed the memorial last year, but it wasn't quite open yet for visitors at the time. There was something eerie and unsettling about being in that area, but I'd like to return to actually go in next time. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. You know, I've always seen it on the tv and in magazines and just always been in awe of the magnatude of the space they had to fill and how they filled it. I never for a minute thought about how eerie it may just feel at ground zero - so many poor innocent people lost their lives that day and no doubt there is a feeling of unsettling when you visit. Thank you SO much for sharing your personal photos though. I loved, nay adored the story of the tree .... thats a sign from above if Ive ever seen one.

    Anna xo
    http://www.lifesshinyprettythings.blogspot.com/

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  4. So impressive. I have visited ground zero two years ago when they were in the midst of creating and couldn't actually enter. Nice to see how it has come together.

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  5. i havent seen this yet. can't believe it was over 10 years ago now.

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  6. I haven't been yet but it looks beautiful. That'll be a spot I'll have to stop by next time I'm in NYC. To remembering...

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  7. they did a beautiful job... i def want to get to see it next time i am in NYC

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  8. That is so neat. I'm really glad you got to do this! I"ll definitely put it on my To-Do List when I go!

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  9. Thanks for sharing this! Going to NYC in 2 days...I hope to be able to make it to this place! xoxo

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  10. I took my parents here when they were in town and it was a very peaceful memorial, but oh so sad to be there.

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  11. I haven't seen it yet, but your photos are beautiful, as is the memorial. Somehow it takes me back to summers when it still stood.

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  12. thanks for sharing these photos! I live right near the nyc skyline and see the progress of the freedom tower everyday. can't wait to see the finished building. xo

    http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/

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  13. I've been to Ground Zero, but they've come a long way since I was last there. The glass towers and memorial look beautiful. I have to visit again soon.

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  14. Such a sobering experience... the site is really going to be amazing when it's finished. It already is.

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  15. I still get teary eyed when I watch documentaries on this day, and that Remember Me movie. oh my goodness.

    And I am not even American.

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  16. I've been wanting to go to Ground Zero, I hear the memorial is just amazing.

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

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  17. wow that has changed so much since iI have seen the memorial. How beautiful.

    xxS

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  18. incredible! None of that was there the last time I went up there. I will definitely have to visit next time.

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  19. Touching photos!

    www.eatblogpray.blogspot.com
    xo

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  20. Beautiful photos. It is such a touching poignant site.

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  21. oh wow! thanks for sharing this. i hadn't seen it. every time i think about 9/11 i get so solemn. the lives that were lost (unspeakable). it's a lovely memorial and very befitting. love the survival tree. very meaningful.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  22. I still haven't gone down. I've driven by the site but not stopped to see the memorial. It's still too raw for me. Thanks for sharing this. Love the survivor tree and it's lesson of resilience and strength.

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  23. ground zero is another place i would like too see in nyc. a place to remember and pay my respects.

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  24. Oh wow I hadn't seen any of this before. I was there a few years after the disaster before this work started. Thanks for sharing

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