Return to Normalcy? ?
For the first time since september 10th, 2001 I was able to take what was once my usual commuting routine this morning. This was jumping on the PATH (Port Authority Trans Hudson) Train at Grove St. to the WTC.
At first it was much different than any other recent PATH train ride I had taken, outside of actually seeing WTC in red letters being indicated as the final destination of the train.
After gettin on the train and waiting for some idiots who were holding the door to say to themselves WAIT I want to go to 33rd St, if finally set off on it journey. First was Exchange Place, which also just recent opened after being closed since 9/11. THe one thought that was crossing my mind was wondering who's job was it to change all the signs and maps, and when do they do it. Anyway, due to the dark background of the tunnel, the glass I was facing was very reflective. It was in this glass I saw something I never used to see on the train a reflection of a daylit image. I reflexively turned aroun to see the source of the image and before my eyes laid the Ground Zero contruction site. DUe to my general lack of poetic eloquence, the first thought that popped in my head was WHOA. This was the closest I have been to the WTC/Ground Zero since before the attacks. Though the twisted metal and more obvious evidence of destruction have been longed removed, the vastness of the site is still somewhat overwhelming.
The next more prevailing thought that came to mind was the odd similarity the path train had to that PeopleMover ride in disney world that would go through Space Mountain. When I finally got off the train,
I saw that the Hudson News Newstand was open again which made me wonder whether or not that violinist who used to play at the old station would comeback to give the morning commute a classical soundtrack. Also I noticed the new higher tech turnstiles and the more open-air feeling of the station, which I guess dare I say is an improvement. When I finally got to the street, I saw the army of news vans lining church street. I was thinking to myself, maybe I should've taken a picture of various aspects of the experience but the I figure, maybe next time, since I'm not a tourist and I am running late for work.
At first it was much different than any other recent PATH train ride I had taken, outside of actually seeing WTC in red letters being indicated as the final destination of the train.
After gettin on the train and waiting for some idiots who were holding the door to say to themselves WAIT I want to go to 33rd St, if finally set off on it journey. First was Exchange Place, which also just recent opened after being closed since 9/11. THe one thought that was crossing my mind was wondering who's job was it to change all the signs and maps, and when do they do it. Anyway, due to the dark background of the tunnel, the glass I was facing was very reflective. It was in this glass I saw something I never used to see on the train a reflection of a daylit image. I reflexively turned aroun to see the source of the image and before my eyes laid the Ground Zero contruction site. DUe to my general lack of poetic eloquence, the first thought that popped in my head was WHOA. This was the closest I have been to the WTC/Ground Zero since before the attacks. Though the twisted metal and more obvious evidence of destruction have been longed removed, the vastness of the site is still somewhat overwhelming.
The next more prevailing thought that came to mind was the odd similarity the path train had to that PeopleMover ride in disney world that would go through Space Mountain. When I finally got off the train,
I saw that the Hudson News Newstand was open again which made me wonder whether or not that violinist who used to play at the old station would comeback to give the morning commute a classical soundtrack. Also I noticed the new higher tech turnstiles and the more open-air feeling of the station, which I guess dare I say is an improvement. When I finally got to the street, I saw the army of news vans lining church street. I was thinking to myself, maybe I should've taken a picture of various aspects of the experience but the I figure, maybe next time, since I'm not a tourist and I am running late for work.