i flew to new York just days after the twin towers collapsed;
having sat in front of tv paralyzed by the tragedy !!
my flight to Kennedy airport had been booked months before; it was overwhelming -with military carrying riffles (for want of right word) everywhere, queues miles long, oh and sniffer dogs too!
my cousin I was visiting, wanted to see the remains--but I didn't want a up close memory; so they left me in a café --its windows black with soot and dust, every nearby building was covered in this same thick dust !
even when I returned to Kennedy airport, to fly home a month later, it was still full of military with riffles; though frightening - it was also comforting too: god be with those poor souls and families.