My 11:11 New York Trip
 |
| credit: Colton Duke |
This is about a trip I took in 2019 posted today on September 11, 2020 to commemorate the 9/11 attacks.
For the past couple of years, when I would look at a clock or turn on my phone, I'd see the time, 11:11. For me, it's a God wink.
Recently, a friend at work asked me to switch days with her. I said yes and then realized I would now be off on November 11th. 11/11! God, I wonder what you have in store for me that day. Later that evening, I was scrolling through Instagram and saw a post from Vietnamese Boat People stating that they were hosting a live podcast taping with New York Times Best Selling author, Thanhha Lai. Guess what day this would be on? November the 11th!
This was a big deal because I have been nudged to write a book for years. I've always enjoyed writing and have recently decided to invest more time in it now that I've finished school. I recommend Compel Training as a great resource.
Recently, a friend at work asked me to switch days with her. I said yes and then realized I would now be off on November 11th. 11/11! God, I wonder what you have in store for me that day. Later that evening, I was scrolling through Instagram and saw a post from Vietnamese Boat People stating that they were hosting a live podcast taping with New York Times Best Selling author, Thanhha Lai. Guess what day this would be on? November the 11th!
This was a big deal because I have been nudged to write a book for years. I've always enjoyed writing and have recently decided to invest more time in it now that I've finished school. I recommend Compel Training as a great resource.
Thanhha Lai is a Vietnamese refugee who came to the States at age 10. She uses her memories to create stories which have won multiple awards. I hadn't heard of her but quickly bought all three books and devoured them. Reading her words woke up my own childhood memories and I imagined what it would be like if I too had written a book.
It's not too late.
Thanhha's event was scheduled to be in New York. I live in Texas and had to be at work the day after the event. God, if it's meant to be, You'll provide a way.
My friend Kim offered to work the 12th for me and my cousin Philip said he'd accompany me to New York.
The above photo is of our guide and retired firefighter, Pat, showing us The Sphere, a sculpture by artist Fritz Keonig. It was originally located between the Twin Towers and represented world peace through world trade. The Sphere is now located in Liberty Park, which can also be seen in the photo.
God answered my prayer.
We arrived in New York on Monday, November the 11th and stayed at Hotel Mulberry in Chinatown. The rooms were clean, bed comfortable, quiet at night and there's free breakfast in the morning. You get a voucher from the front desk and then walk 4 doors down to dine at Mama Eatery. The hotel is about a 13 minute walk to the subway station. Not that bad but it did make me walk very fast during the cold November nights.
We dropped off our bags, ate noodles next door and headed to the live podcast taping.
 |
| My first time on the Brooklyn Bridge |
It was a privilege to meet Tracey Nguyen Mang, founder and chief storyteller of Vietnamese Boat People. Tracey and her large family separated and escaped Vietnam when Tracey was 1 year old. Three different trips, three refugee camps and three years later, the entire family was reunited in America. The mission of Vietnamese Boat People is to preserve and carry forward stories of resilience so younger generations can be inspired and pay-it-forward.
 |
| Tracey Nguyen Mang at the live podcast taping. |
 |
| Tracey interviewing Thanhha Lai. |
 |
| The talented Thanhha Lai. |
Thanhha Lai is humorous, honest and warm. She tells the packed room, "every person has one good book in them." She encourages us to find our voice. I look at her and think, will that be me one day? I hope so. The video of the live podcast taping can be viewed here.
Walking home that evening, I am filled with hope and inspiration from Tracey and Thanhha. When my cousin and I walked inside our hotel room, I took a look at the clock on the nightstand and said, "look, it's 11:11."
The next day, we visited the Met Museum and saw the Tony Award winning musical Dear Evan Hanson. We purchased same day tickets for 50% off at the TKTS Discount Booth. There are three locations: Times Square, South Street Seaport and Lincoln Center.
On the last day of my quick 3 day trip, my cousin and I did a 9/11 walking tour guided by a retired firefighter that told us his personal accounts. 343 firefighters died that day. 40% of them were never found.
On September 11, 2001, I was a student in microbiology lab. My friend Amy was on her cell phone and announced that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. We were silent, not sure what to make of it. A few minutes later, Amy told us another plane hit the second tower. A third plane hit the Pentagon and a fourth crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. News spread quickly and soon, that was all people were talking about on tv and radio. The FAA grounded all flights into the U.S., first time in history. I remember looking up at the still sky as I walked to my afternoon class. After our teacher talked to us about the tragic morning, we were let out early. I came home to an empty house. My parents were overseas on vacation and I worried for their safety. They were able to come home and I was thankful, knowing many families were broken from the aftermath of 9/11.
Nineteen years later, it is surreal to walk around New York.
 |
| The Sphere |
The above photo is of our guide and retired firefighter, Pat, showing us The Sphere, a sculpture by artist Fritz Keonig. It was originally located between the Twin Towers and represented world peace through world trade. The Sphere is now located in Liberty Park, which can also be seen in the photo.
 |
| The Sphere at Ground Zero. Photo by Michael Rieger |
 |
| The Sphere present day unrestored at Liberty Park |
 |
| One World Trade Center. Opened November 3, 2014. It's the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. At 1776 feet, it is a deliberate reference to the year the U.S. Declaration of Independence was signed. |
The 9/11 Memorial features two reflecting pools at the footprints of the Twin Towers. Inscribed into bronze parapets surrounding the pools are the names of the 2,983 men, women and children killed in the attacks on September 11th and from the WTC bombing on February 1993.
 |
| The names are hollow to represent the void in people's lives. A white rose is placed on the names of people who has a birthday that day. |
Our walking tour ended at the Tribute Museum. This museum is a project of the September 11th Families' Association, created by the widows and families of the New York Fire Department.
 |
| Photos of the victims. |
During my last semester of screenwriting class, we were instructed to write a 20 page adaptation script and I picked Rick Rescorla, who was VP of security at Morgan Stanley in 2001. On September 11th, Rick led approximately 2700 people out of the South Tower. He was last seen going back into the building to rescue others and never made it out.
 |
| I found the name of Rick Rescorla. |
 |
| Coat of fireman Jonathan Ielpi. It was recovered three months after the attack and given to his father who also served as a firefighter on 9/11. |
 |
| The Last Column. It was one of 47 columns that supported the inner core of the South Tower. |
 |
| Known as the Survivors' Stairs, this unobstructed exit provided a way for hundreds to escape. |
 |
About three weeks after the 9/11 attacks, a woman named Anne Bybee was at Ground Zero. It was her third day of work as part of the National Disaster Medical System Mission Support Team. Walking around the rubble piled 10 stories high, Anne was numb, unable to find anything recognizable. Then all of a sudden, she saw it. A 17-foot steel beam cross. She took a photo with her disposable camera. It has now become iconic. Bybee says the cross is a clear message from God saying, 'You are not alone. I am here.' This cross is on display at the museum.
 |
| Ground Zero Cross taken by Anne Bybee |
My last day in New York was extremely heavy and as my cousin and I were walking back to our hotel, we entered the Oculus, a transportation hub and retail space. This contemporary architecture was designed by Spanish engineer, Santiago Calatrava. The soft curved white steel ribs of the structure is to resemble a dove taking flight from a child's hand.
 |
| photo by Hufton + Crow |
 | |||||
| photo by Hufton + Crow |
Even though my trip was short, I was able to do everything I wanted. I met two incredibly inspiring women, Tracey Nguyen Mang and Thanhha Lai and I paid tribute at the 9/11 memorial. I felt this was a God given trip. As I was about to leave the Oculus, a distinct jewelry store appeared. The significance of this jeweler goes back to last month while I was at work. I am an RN and during my shift, my patient's family member came in wearing a beautiful cross necklace. I learned the name of the designer and told myself I'd save money to treat myself for my upcoming birthday. As it turned out, I was gifted money from a few special people to purchase the necklace. One friend said it was so I can wear the cross necklace as I shared my "big faith". When I was in New York, it was a few days after my birthday and I hadn't had a chance to buy the necklace yet and now here it was, right before me. I walked out of the jewelry store wearing the tiny treasure around my neck. Thank you God. You're with me. You're here. I'm not alone.
.JPG)
Comments
Post a Comment