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I was waiting for a full day of sunshine to visit Ground Zero and Tuesday was it. I left about 11, took the subway all the way down and came up right by St. Paul's Church, where the rescue workers slept and ate during the clean-up of the site, following September 11. As many times as I've been there, I am still moved to tears, and look at the exhibits with disbelief and amazement. I attended the Peace Service, that I love so much, which happens every day at 12:30, and then there was a Choral "celebration" by a choir from England's Parish Church, St. Martin in the Fields, which was wonderful. I left to look around the site and ended up doing a guided walking tour by the 9/11 Families Memorial Museum. After not seeing the progress for a few years, I wanted to know what was happening and be sure to see everything. I took so many pictures, but nothing can really capture being there, which I wish every American could do. The "celebration" from Monday morning was over and everyone was just back to work and rebuilding.
After the tour, I started walking along the Hudson toward
Battery Park. It was a beautiful day and the walk was very peaceful and pensive. With the Statue of Liberty in front of me, I walked until 4:15 when I needed to head back home to get ready for the evening. Finding the right subway took me all through the financial district, up Wall Street, past Trump Tower and the Bull, the NYSE, etc. Another amazing area as one thinks of all the activities that go on there that effect the world.
My evening was spent in Brooklyn with Neal and Val Andrews, young friends from Rogers. Neal was the Youth Director at Central when Jake and Emily were there and he and Jake became dear friends, which continues. I met Neal at Equinox, where he works as a personal trainer and manager, and we took the subway to Brooklyn, walked along the other side of the Hudson, looked at the Brooklyn Bridge, continuing to enjoy the beautiful day. We met Val at Alma, one of their favorite Mexican food restaurants, that was excellent. The conversation never lulled, walking the streets of Brooklyn, through dessert at The Chocolate Room, (unbelievable!) and a walk back to the subway. We made
several plans to do more things together before the end of my stay. They are precious and I loved being with them!
I did, however, have my first subway fiasco (with a little help from my friends! haha!) on the way back to Manhattan. I got on the train going the wrong way, for the first time since I've been here. It's 10:15 at night and stupidly, I stayed on long after I realized I was probably not going the right way. But about 20 minutes into the ride, Neal texted me that I was going the wrong way and fortunately that part of the ride was above ground so I could get the text. I got off at the next stop, went to the other side and got back on going toward Manhattan, what a concept! After a 20 minute wait for the train, and of course, 20 minutes later than that, I got back to where I started and headed home! I was home by midnight, safe and sound, with a funny story to tell. I asked Neal where in the heck I had gone, and he said I went "all the way to Queens from Brooklyn."
My reply was "Well, now I can say I went to Queens!" You gotta laugh!
Today is rainy so I'm staying home to do laundry and clean my little apartment! Kristie! Where are you??
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Lacey
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chocolate house
I really, really want to accompany you to the CHOCOLATE house!!