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“On the 8th anniversary of New York City’s Twin Towers collapsing, I downloaded the Ground Zero Sonic Memorial Soundwalk, offered for free during 09.11.09, and headed to the World Trade Center to pay my respects.
As soon as I got off the E train, I was greeted by a pair of seemingly omniscient eyes in the wall of the subway stairwell. What did those eyes see on this day eight years ago…? I emerged out of the subway at the audio tour’s starting point – St. Paul’s Chapel.
As I walked around Manhattan’s oldest public building in continuous use, I could sense the past and present were entangled in this neighborhood. Amidst the tall skyscrapers, the remnants of old New Amsterdam were evident – the streets were curvy and the blocks irregular, designed to fit old Dutch farmstead. Indeed, the air was thick with history. As I walked to the cemetery behind the church I discovered hundreds of people gathered around the WTC memorial, in the rain and cold, some crying, some mourning silently.
Next, narrator Paul Auster guided me across Church St. and onto Liberty St. Passing the FDNY Engine and Ladder Co. 10, I saw FDNY firemen saluting their lost comrades. Then just a few steps down the street, the intersecting alley was lined up with flowers, words, pictures, and people paying respect. People of all races, from all across the country, the world, gathered in this single alleyway to remember, mourn, and celebrate… It was radiantly beautiful I couldn’t help but to let my eyes flood.
I had to pause my iPod. I thought of just going home and calling it a day. I had lost my umbrella somewhere earlier on the walk, my feet were soaking wet from the puddles, it was abnormally freezing, and I was too emotionally wrought up. But…I pressed ‘Play’ and continued to walk, following Paul’s voice and footsteps into the World Financial Center.
As I navigated through the maze of the World Financial Center, I saw the WTC site from a completely different angle. I could peer into the the ongoing construction, and realized that the out of the ashes there was a new foundation being built. Struck by this revelation, I found myself exiting the maze and arriving at the Winter Garden. It is an amazing open space, overlooking the Hudson River, where people gather for coffee, lunch, or free concerts. Slightly uplifted by the lively atmosphere, I went outside to the water.
Upon Paul’s suggestion, I sat on a bench, furthest away from the Winter Garden, at the edge of the water. In the distance, I saw my city’s first lady – the Statue of Liberty. She was covered in a veil of mist and rain, but she was standing and perhaps remembering the smoke filling the sky of the city on this day eight years ago.” – Brian Hirono (New York)
Check it: Ground Zero Sonic Memorial Soundwalk narrated by Paul Auster
