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not that bad
I have been to NYC twice since the horrible attack.
The first time was just a week after September 11
- no desire there to disturb the work that was under way and no desire to get anywhere near there.
Two months later, I was in NYC again and I heard that they had put up a Christmas tree, there on ground zero - I thought that was a beautiful idea as a symbol of hope and prayer. So I went to see it, which was impossible because they had set it up in the working area. However I could catch a glimpse of what used to be the catching part of the downtown Manhattan skyline.
It was a very sad moment and that, together with all the messages from all over the US and all over the world that are hanging on the fences around the WTC site was extremely touching and moving. I felt the urge to go into one of the churches there and say a little prayer.
Now comes the tourist part - and my comment about the platforms. The atmosphere among the many spectators that were there was everything else but that of your average tourist attractions: no cheering, no loud talk, no chattering. Just cameras, silence and tears!
And I don't think platforms are going to change that (esp. since you don't have to pay to get a ticket). It might be offensive to some New Yorkers who certainly feel the urge to go on. However, for all those who come there and have seen the place before, either intact or just on TV
- it is a moment where you can truely reflect about yourself, life and maybe also the values of a society. And that cannot hurt ....
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