I am back in Chicago. Yippee!! As much as I enjoyed my time in New York, it’s good to be home. I got a little too much stimulation from being in Time Square aka Advertisers Row. Plus seeing all those cops and military personnel with machine guns everywhere I went around Manhattan was starting to wig me out. Heck, almost every where we went required passing through some sort of security screening. Plus many places were closed to tourist going inside (i.e. New York Stock Exchange, Statue of Liberty, etc.). Hopefully New York and other major cities that have to deal with this heightened state of security will find a balance between protecting its citizens as well as major landmarks and allowing access to visiting tourist. Many people (myself included) were disappointed that they had come this far, only to be turned away at the gates.
Having said that, know that I did appreciate and understand why they needed to be there. That reminder came yesterday as I ended up going down to “Ground Zero” since I wasn’t going to a Broadway show. I was trying to resist temptation, but I went anyway. While there, I was overcome with emotion. This really surprised me since I was turned off from so many of the victims families who I’d seen on TV shows like Oprah talking about they weren’t being properly compensated for their family’s loss. Putting that aside, being there was weird. I wanted the construction workers to stop working and get away from the site. I know New York has to rebuild but the place felt like a burial grown. Hopefully the final architectural design will provide adequate space to remember those who lost their lives.
Ground Zero left me feeling depressed so I went back to hotel and hung out a bit. But since I had some time, I went walking around and ran straight into the Naked Cowboy. I’d heard about him, but to see him live in flesh was most thrilling. I took a few pictures and even touched his body while placing tip in his boots. Someone close by mentioned that he makes over $100K performing in Times Square and all I could think….only in New yOrk.
There is much more to share about trip to New York. But for now I’m just enjoying being back in Middle America. I know Chicago is as much a target as New York, but I feel safer here. Hopefully that won’t change.