Ground Zero - NYC
 

I am considering a trip to pay my respects at the site of the World Trade Centers.<BR><BR>Does any one know how close you can get to the actual site? Or if there is a rememberance area people can go to?<BR><BR>thanks for any info and God Bless America.<BR><BR>my heart goes out to all the victims...

A few weeks ago I could get within a block. BE WARNED. Definitely wear a mask. I didn't and my throat was burning for 24hrs afterward, and I just didnt feel too well overall. Serious toxic air down there, and I was only there for 2hrs. And I live in NY so I'm used to crappy air, but this is a completely different ballgame. They won't even know until perhaps much later exactly what kind of damage has been done to people's health from breathing that stuff.

Hi Kate,I just got back today from New York City.I went to the WTC site. You can pritty much see ground zero from the sections open to the public.There are lot's of memorials along the sidewalk where you can leave a note or flowers.It's a tragic event that has touched all our lives.God bless the victims and their families.

You really should avoid going too close for the smell has a distinct organic smell to it which made me rather sad. Try not to take any pictures out of respect. Bye!

Is it considered in bad taste to go to Ground Zero? I certainly don't want to go there for kicks. I need closure to this thing. As alot of people do, I'm sure. Also, is anyone taking pictures?

CM,Alot of people were taking pictures of the site and some even brought Video cameras with them.<BR>Bringing a camera of any kind would not have felt right to me.Everybody has different feelings on the subject.

Taking pictures here is not about how you fee about it. It is really about good taste and respect. You are going to a grave yard, I don't care if it is a historical graveyard. Would you photograph a graveyard openly? I think the video/camera totters really don?t get the enormity of the loss here. Want to be part of history , volunteer in one of the kitchens feeding rescue workers. Remember it is not about how you feel holding a camera it is a simple matter of respect. IF YOUR MOTHER ,BROTHER, SISTER, SON, DAUGHTER WERE IN THERE WOULD YOU WANT HORDS OF LOOSERS SHOOTING PICTURES!!!

I disagree with GGG. I do not think it's disrespectful to photograph the remains of the world trade center. It is not something that I plan on doing, but I can understand wanting to document it with your own photographs.

Not sure where your looking soapbox Annie...I was just watching NYC local news an inquiry for kitchen help at Bouley Bakery. The Show told viewers to go to dailycandy.com for more info on working as a volunteer.

Instead of taking pictures at the site, which I believe is disrespectful, I suggest you visit the "Here is New York" photography exhibit at 116 Prince St. It's a very moving and overwhelming experience. The photos there all relate to the Sept. 11th events and have been donated by both professional and amateur photographers. They are for sale for $25 each, with all proceeds going to the Children's Aid Society WTC Relief Fund. More info at: www.hereisnewyork.com.

Oops. Wrong website address. Should be:<BR><BR>www.hereisnewyork.org

Thanks Carolec another alternative is the NYC Fireman's museum on Spring Street between Varick and Houston. I was just there this weekend. They said WTC photo exhibits were cropping up all over Soho so just take a stroll. They seem to think Prince street was closing down but were not sure. Make your way as I did from the firehouse to Magnolia bakery a short cab ride away and oh so glorious cup cakes, cakes.

SEP.11,01 CHANGED EVERYONE BUT I THINK WE SHOULD GO ON WITH OUR LIVES AND BE CAREFUL WHO WE TALK TO AND WHAT GOES ON AROUND US. I PRAY FOR THE FAMILIES WHO LOST LOVED ONES.

Didn't mean to get a battle going. Was only asking because I lost 2 friends in the attack there at WTC. Our friends down here ask that I get some pics so they can see it just like I saw it. It might help us deal with this a little better. But, maybe not. Again, I'm sorry for creating a monster.

We lost people also CM in Biloxi there is no shortage of photos on this site.

The Mayor of NYC or I should say former Mayor has asked that individuals refrain from photos. Many survivor family members are going to the Prince street exhibit for photos. I doubt you will see survivors snapping photos of the wreckage.

I live about 100 miles from NYC, and have considered visiting ground zero but decided that it's just plain bad taste (for me) to go there out of sheer curiosity.<BR><BR>There's just something that doesn't feel right about visiting the site, unless you're there to somehow help.<BR><BR>As I said, this is just how I happen to feel, and maybe someday I'll visit the site, the way people visit Pearl Harbor. But not now or in the near future.

As a NYC resident and volunteer at Pier 94 (helps families of victims, as well as displaced workers and residents), I have been down to Ground Zero. <BR><BR>If you do go down there, please go and remember why you are there -- to pay respects, to thank the firemen, policemen and rescue workers, and to recognize the tremendous tragedy that has occurred in our city. Both times I have been down there, I have seen incredibly insensitive tourists laughing, talking loudly, posing for pictures with their NYPD souvenir hats and broadly smiling.<BR><BR>Everyone has different ways of coping with tragedy. If you think that your way of coping will infringe on other people, please think twice before going down there. Kate, this is not directed to you, or anyone here in particular. I just ask you to spread the word.<BR><BR>

FYI - No amateur photography is allowed near ground zero as per the mayor of america, rudy - going to view/bearwitness/seee the site (as close as they allow you to get that is) is allowed

?can't believe people need to be told it is in poor taste to photograph. I also find it hard to believe that survivor friends would want to mark a tragic loss with a close up personally taken snap shop.