9/11 Museum

 I promised more about the 9/11 museum. Angie somehow managed to get tickets, a major coup considering it only opened last week (the day before we went I think). I can remember where I was when the planes hit - Sarah was off school sick with something, watching tv, so when the news coverage took over we watched, and we watched as the second plane hit, and the world realised this was not an accident, and we watched as the towers tumbled. I'd seen the twin towers on a previous trip - they were just another 2 skyscrapers then......

 

The memorials, 2 beautiful squares, one each on the footprint of its respective tower, with the names of the people who died there, engraved around the outside, framing a multi-layered waterfall that goes down towards the foundations. As I said, beautiful.

 

The museum takes you under the two towers, and walks you through the events leading up to the day, minute by minute of the day, and afterwards. It's very well done, lots of very personal touches, it really is about the individuals, as well as about the nation. It was also totally emotionally overwhelming. To stand where over 3000 people died, to hear snippets of recorded farewells, to see shoes, or briefcases and other nick knacks that were found. To read the intelligence warning dated 2 months previously, predicting in detail what happened, supposedly without evidence to cause them to stop it. To read that, even now, 13 years later, they haven't been able to identify the remains of 40% of the people who died in the twin towers. It was heartbreaking. And rightly so - it was an event that changed the world.

Girls trip :)

So today we arrived back from an amazing girls trip to the States. Angie, Sarah's Godmum, my oldest friend (not in age but in time), invited the girls - me, Sarah, Di, Ruth (Martha, Liz and Catherine who could not make it this time) to join her for the weekend. So we went....

 

Fairly complicated travel arrangements, 3 planes, 2 airports (minimising cost, maximising airmiles) and we got there.

 

Lots of food, fun, laughter and alcohol.

 

An amazing trip to New York, not the best weather, starting grey (couldn't see the top of the empire state building), fabulous bus tour, 9/11 Museum (more later) a wet/windy/hilarious return bus journey. A missed turning meaning we found a great, cheap (by major city standards) car park right by Times Square.

 

An equally fun, but sunnier, walking gourmet food tour round the Italian Market in Philly - great food, a chance to get a glimpse of the real Philly, hear the story of William Penn, and see some stunning mosaics by Isaiah Zegar.

 

Mix in lots of lovely times, walking Toby round the lake, sitting on the deck, drinking Angie's cocktails (never let Angie pour the vodka!!!!), eating lovely food, chatting endlessly. And a healthy sprinkle of shopping. All adds up to an amazing trip.

 

But then of course we had to come home - too soon, but maybe just before the fish went off (fish and guests start rotting if they stay too long). Hopes of a repeat trip in 2 years time, with the whole group.

And now I have a sore back (must have dozed awkwardly) and sleep deficit but don't have to go back to work until Thursday.