My husband and I were on a plane to NYC, returning from Istanbul, after a wonderful 3-week vacation in Turkey. This was actually the 2nd flight that day out of Istanbul; the first had to return to the airport because of engine trouble (that was a scarey flight!). After an hour or so into the 2nd flight, the captain made an announcement that we had to return to Istanbul again; and we all laughed, saying it looks like they can't get us out of here! Then, a very long announcement, first in Turkish (then in English), and everyone gasped and we knew that something very serious had happened. We were then told that there was an attack on the World Trade Center, and the airspace was closed. Using the plane phones, people around us got information that there were hijacked planes, but it was all very unclear as to what happened. When we got back to the airport, things were very chaotic, and we heard many rumors-- and who could believe the strange story that the World Trade center had collapsed?! <BR><BR>We were fortunate because Turkish Airlines put usall up in a hotel for the next 4 days, as they waited for permission to fly back. We were well-taken care of, and I have to say that the outpouring of concern that we felt from everyone around us was truly amazing. My husband and I live less than a mile north of the WTC, and were concerned about returning home. We were glued to the tv, watching CNN for the next few days. We met some of the other people that were stranded, and became very close while we were together. <BR><BR>My husband and I were, in so many ways, very lucky to be so taken care of by everyone around us; and at the same time, felt very helpless that we weren't at home during the crisis. We got home 4 days later, and that, my friends, is a whole other story. We were fortunate that our apartment was fine, but life around us was very sad and very different.

I was in an internet cafe in Dublin Ireland and received a hysterical call from a friend whose husband was in NY on Business. I had advised him to stay in the City where the company would put him up for free. Thankfully he was staying uptown and fine. I panicked thinking of my best friend who is chronically late for work taking the path to the WTC on her way to John street . I called her mobile and got her husband (she left the phone at home)to find out they were rushed off the train by police after the 1st hit. She though it was a gas explosion. <BR><BR>I could not reach anyone after that for 2 days as the phone lines were jammed from Ireland to the USA but thankfully the people I knew were ok. I watched in horror the live broadcasts with my neighbors while we all cried. So many people who knew I was from NY came up to me afterwards to say how sorry they were. Many people who did not know me well always thought I was born in Ireland from my accent. I still Feel glad I moved away from there 7 years ago when I worked beside the WTC but feel so sorry for the families left without their loved ones. I am more nervous now about travelling back to the U.s. but I know its the same risk as in Europe.

My own experience was as mundane as many people's, I guess (I was at work - - and I did stop most of what I was doing for a few houirs, glued to a television).<BR><BR>But somewhat interesting was the experience of my mother-in-law (who will be traveling with me THIS year - - on September TWELVE).<BR><BR>She was on a charter flight headed to NYC (supposed to land at Teterboro), headed to a luncheon function ON Wall Street. They were approaching New Jersey when the pilot instructed the eight passengers that "due to a national emergency", they would be turning around. They were given no additional information. They landed at a little airstrip in western Pennsylvania - - not really all that far from Shanksville. There were no televisions there, and they had to just try to picture what they were able to hear. They rented two sedans, and between the eight of them, drive the seven hours to return to Indiana. Not until they were back did they see any of the television footage. They really had not been able to comprehend without seeing it.<BR><BR>I wonder how many (if any) people in other parts of the world had radio information about the event(s) but no TV. I understand that many people, in many parts of the world cannot picture what NYC is like at all.<BR><BR>This is quite a good thread - - I look forward to more interesting posts.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

I was on my way to work in Tribeca, and had just gotten off the subway when I noticed tons of people walking up Broadway, which was very unusual at that hour. I walked a few blocks west to Church street from Canal and saw one of the towers on fire. I didn't know about the planes, since I got off the subway at the exact minute that the second plane hit (I remember looking at my watch, because I was running late for work). A woman was screaming that terriorists had hit the world trade center, and I told her it was a mistake. By the time I got to my office building, it had been evacuated, and I asked someone who'd just been evacuated from 7 World Trade what happend. I stood on the street in shock and watched the towers burn. I stayed for almost an hour, and had to leave. I remember walking east, and stopped at Church street just as Tower 2 was coming down. I heard the boom and knew if I turned my head to the right I could see it, but I couldn't bring myself to. I walked home to my apartment on the Upper East Side and I could still see the smoke. I found out the next day that 21 people from my hometown died, 6 of which I went to high school with. I will never forget that day.

I was just turning the corner of 44th and 6th and could see everyone looking downtown. I just walked into my office and called my fiance WHO WAS HEADED TO A MEETING AT WTC and could not get in touch with him and wondered what was going on. Minutes later (can't remember how many since it was all so surreal) later people started running to an office with a window facing that direction and it was right after the 2nd plane hit. Thank God, my fiance had to stop by his office first or he would not be alive today. As it was, he was WAY too close by. I will NEVER forget that day and the sheer agony I endured until I found out he was alive and ok.

Under the Pentagon on Metro just before the plane hit. Walked into my building in downtown DC, only to see the towers falling, then heard about the Pentagon, and started walking home. Passed the Pentagon, and the smoke and smell were overwhelming. Ashcroft's jet came in over me, accompanied by an F-16, and landed at National. The streets in DC were crowded, traffic snarled, drivers rushing, but a few miles outside DC things were an eery silence. Got home in time to hear media speculating about the location of the fourth plane. Sunny and blue just like today, only 10-12 degrees cooler, almost early Fall-like.

I was on my way into work in Philly (I live in Jersey) and it was one of the few mornings I didn't watch the news before leaving my apt. for the day. I got the first inkling of what happened on the train, which was filled to capacity which is unusual, and I overheard 2 guys talking about a plane hitting the WTC. I had no clue what they were talking about, for whatever reason what they were saying didn't register. When I walked into my office all my co-workers were gathered around the tv, and we watched live as the events unfolded. I remember being in shock, I remember watching the images but them still not registering. We kept hearing breaking news saying that all flights had been grounded, all bridges and tunnels to NY had been closed, etc.<BR>Every office building in Philly was evacuating, however I couldn't leave b/c I work for a newswire agency which can't just stop operating, even in an emergency. Our main bureau was in NY, and since they were forced to evacuate we had to stay and take their copy. <BR><BR>cont.

cont.<BR><BR>I've never felt so scared in my life, working in a high rise and being forced to continue working while watching the images on tv. When the first tower collapsed, I remember one of my co-workers saying, "oh my g-d, all those people", and we just stared dumbfounded at the screen. My office finally got the go ahead to evacuate at 1pm, and by the point all the bridges to Jersey were also closed. I was just thankful that I was able to meet up with my husband who worked nearby so that at least we were together. <BR><BR>I feel very uneasy about going to work tomorrow... I just hope and pray nothing happens..

So many amazing responses...

I was in my office in Paris. Just after lunch I got a CNN News alert by email saying a plane hit the WTC. It was impossible to get to the CNN web site, though. I called my brother who works for the Dept of Labor in DC and could here people in his office saying "we're shutting down!". The line went dead and it was a panic. It was also a bit surreal since all the French people around me had no idea anything had happened yet. When they found out, all sorts of people I never really knew all that well streamed into my office to see if anyone I knew had been killed. Luckily, the answer was no.

I work for a state government agency in Wisconsin. On 9/11 last year, I happened to be working in the Administration building on the 9th floor. As soon as the first plane hit, someone brought a television into the reception area. When the second plane hit the WTC, there was a collective gasp from all of us and then complete silence.<BR><BR>What I found scary was that the crashes seemed to be timed to occur at the start of the business day. When we heard about the crash in Pennsylvania, it seemed that "they" were moving West and that the Midwest was the next area that could be hit. Obviously, Chicago is a bigger target than Madison but it was still unnerving, considering that we knew the Pentagon had been hit and that other government buildings could be targets. I was especially thinking about all of the planes that were still in the air.<BR><BR>At one point that morning, an announcement was made that all state governments buildings had been locked down. We could leave the building but had to have government ID to re-enter. Just added to the surrealism of the day.

Sleeping late on my day off. My phone was ringing off the hook. Irritated, thinking it was telemarketers I didn't pick up the phone the first few times and rolled over. Then it turned just constant...I picked up the phone ready to scream at whoever was on the other end when I recognized my husband's voice and all he said was "Turn on the television." and hung up. The first tower was crumbling as I turned on the set.

Dressing at home when the first "accident" was announced; by the time I arrived at work in downtown DC, the second plane had struck and of course we knew it was no accident. Then I watched the smoke from the Pentagon from my 12th floor window. Then I heard about my friend's husband, aother friend's cousin, my financial advisor's sister - all dead. I wish they would stop the "memorial" shows - enough is enough. I can remember without having it played over and over again.

I was already at my desk at work when the first plane hit. I got off the subway at the bottom of the WTC that very morning, thinking of what a beautiful sunny day it was. Walked two blocks to my office building, things seemed so normal.<BR><BR>After the first plane hit my colleague came running in hysterically saying that a plane had hit one of the towers, and that we all had to leave NOW. We all sat around not knowing what was going on. Various theories began emerging: only a small Cessna accidentally hit the building, it was a terrorist attack with bombs on the planes, etc.<BR><BR>After a few minutes, we heard a huge explosion and the ground shook (we're on the 15th floor). The second plane had hit. We went outside to look. The second tower was in flames, there were papers flying everywhere, falling softly to our feet.<BR><BR>We came back upstairs to get our things. I emailed my parents to tell them that I was okay and was leaving. As we were going down the emergency stairs, finally an announcement came over the PA system that we were being evacuated.<BR><BR>We started walking east towards the river, and then north. There were people everywhere: walking, observing, carrying stacks of papers from their office. Everyone was in disbelief, shock, silent. <BR><BR>A couple of colleagues and I made our way to one of our apartments, where we turned on the tv. One of the buildings had collapsed. Then another.<BR>

I was getting ready for work in Southern California. Turned on the news, and heard Aaron Brown on CNN talking about a plane hitting the World Trade Center. As I was watching, the second plane hit, and I guess Aaron and I were seeing it at the same time. Aaron Brown is inextricably linked to 9/11 in my memory.

My sympathies go out to all of you in New York City. You all have endured so much and your strength is an example to all around the world. May you persevere with pride tomorrow and always, especially in light of the new threats. My heart is with you.

ttt

Being evacuated from the Sears Tower where I work.

I remember it was 9:05 when I got to Penn Station because my wife was shooting for a 9:07 Amtrak train and she rushed off trying to make it. As I was walking to the subway I saw a large semi-circle of people and at first didn't realize what they were doing, then saw that they were looking at tv's. I wondered if there was sporting event going on halfway around the world that I wasn't aware of. Then I saw the smoke coming out of the WTC and I asked the guy next to me what happened, and he said two planes had hit the WTC. I figured two Cessna's collided or he made a mistake. <BR><BR>I got on the 1/9 train, which used to run directly to the WTC, and headed for my office in Greenwich Village. The subway was stop and go. It was about 9:25 when I got off at Sheridan Sq/7th Avenue South. I'll never forget coming up to the street and immediately being in another world, seeing for the first time the hideous amount of smoke and flame. Everyone on the street was in shock. <BR><BR>I walked to my office on Hudson Street, where everyone was in shock too. A colleague came by and said "The building collapsed." I didn't know what she was talking about. I thought there must have been a water main break and some little building was sinking. Even after seeing the destruction from the street it never occurred to me the buildings could collapse. <BR><BR>I went to an office where we could see the north tower. I remember watching the antenna fall what seemed like a long way before losing it in the dust cloud. We were told we should leave, even though I felt safer in our building then on the street. A veritable stream of people flowed up Hudson Street. As we walked north a Fire Department vehicle covered in ash drove by, stopped at a gas station, and the firefighters, also covered in ash, went to get something to drink. <BR><BR>I'll never forget it. Never.

We were touring Westminster Abbey. The guide waited until the tour was finished and asked all who were Americans to come into a small chapel with her and told us. As others have said, everyone was just silent. We started back to our hotel by tube, but it stopped because of a threat at Victoria Station. We got off and walked awhile and then got on another on the other side of Victoria. We spent the evening watching events on TV. Tony Blair was superb; and the Brits are a class act. <BR><BR>My husband and I had no option but to go on with our prepaid, planned trip around GB; but our daughter, who was with us, was delayed five days in getting home. The hotel staff was wonderful to her, and I was really touched by the number of people who, just when they overheard our accents, would come and say quietly how sorry they were. <BR><BR>All the churches we visited during the following month had chapels set aside for prayer, and there were a number of places that had floral offerings and notes. The most I saw were on the Mayflower Steps in Plymouth. Very touching.