Brazilian Suicide Shower

Brazilian Suicide Shower

Most buildings in Latin America are not equipped with pipes that carry water to a boiler to heat up, thus no hot water. But really, who wants to take a cold shower every morning? Even in the tropics a warm shower is a lovely thing. As a solution, the basic rule of "don't mix electricity and water" was thrown out, to give you the Suicide Shower. Basically you fit this contraption over the shower head then wire it into the electric mains. It takes up so much power that you know it is working when the house lights flicker or dim when it's turned on.

Suicide Showers are iconic to Latin America, and I'm sure nearly every person who has traveled in Central or South America remembers their first time turning on the water - please don't die, please don't die - or the time they got their first little shock - mine was in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. Some are scarier than others, with their wires hanging down a little bit too close for comfort.  My first encounter with a Suicide Shower was living in Costa Rica. I've also seen them in Nicaragua, Panama, Mexico, and obviously here in Brazil. I've learned a few things about the art of using a Suicide Shower, which is safe as long as you don't do something stupid.

1. Make sure you actually turn the thing on. To activate it, you usually have to reach a certain level of water flow.
2. Once the water begins to warm you have to find the ideal temperature. If the flow rate is too low the water can be scalding. If it is too high the water will only be lukewarm or not warm at all. It is not like the US where you can turn the "cold" knob up a little. Here there is only one knob - so use the flow rate to control the water temperature.
3. Wear sandals. Or make sure there is something rubber in the shower to stand on. This is what I was told when I arrived in Brazil.  I never heard this in Costa Rica or elsewhere, but in Brazil I was specifically told to always stay on the rubber mat or wear your sandals. Not sure if this actually helps or if it is myth, but intuitively I guess it makes sense - kind of like being in a car during a lightning storm?
4. Don't touch any wires or the unit itself, especially avoid doing this while you are IN the shower.

Overall, I've never had any major problems with using the Suicide Shower and I am happy to say that Brazil is known for producing the highest quality Suicide Showers.

Rain in Rio

Last night was heavy rain. It has actually rained more in the last 24 hours than it has for all of October. It does not rain all day, but rather the dark clouds move in a night and the downpour commences. Last night there were two landslides - both in favelas - one person died.

I love the rain. It smells so good and I love the sound it makes hitting the trees and rooftops. Last night, though, I couldn't help but think about this boy, Mattheus, who Russell and I met slacklining. He, along with his parents, I'm pretty sure are homeless. I wondered where they went to hide from the rain all night.

What a difference, huh? I enjoy the rain from a 9th story beachfront window. Others probably dread it, fearing that their houses will fall down mountains, and some not even having a home to retreat to.

But still, I look at the sky and am thankful that my life is so beautiful.

Social Class Strucutre in Rio de Janeiro - My Interpretation

I wanted to give my interpretation of the social class structure in Rio. Remember, this is an opinion coming from a blond haired, blue eyed, American girl. I just want to record my current interpretation so I can see how it changes over time. With that in mind, here is my general breakdown:

Homeless:
There are a few homeless families here. The street families beg for food all day - sometimes it is one person, usually it is a whole family. And the smell... oh the smell. It is terrible. One family lives in front of, what I call, the blue wall (a giant blue wall that separates a school from the street and sidewalk). I'm actually not sure if it is one large family or two smaller ones, but this group of maybe 15 - younger adults all the way down to infants - is almost always in front of this blue wall, and this is a highly trafficked area so there are always people walking by. They beg for food and whatever else they can get all day, then at night they go across the street, lay out a foam pad, pile on top of one another, and go to sleep. I'm not sure what the older ones do about the bathroom, and I'm not sure I want to know, but I do know that they have no problem leaving behind dirty diapers and other trash, which is later cleaned by the local municipality. So I'm sure you can imagine that if the local sidewalk sweepers don't come by for even one day, the whole area begins to smell, bad! This is the life of a street person.

Favela Society:
I have never walked through a favela. I have been on bus rides through them, but have never spent time in them, but I still wanted to share the way I am interpreting the societal breakdown here, based purely on my observation. Favelas are their own society, yet I think favelas are a mirror of the larger society - lower, middle, and upper class still exists. There are those people who are unemployed, or underemployed, and whose kids don't go to school, or go only periodically - but at least they are not living on the streets. This is the low class favelado (favela dweller).

Then there is the large and varied middle class. These people have jobs, and they likely make one to five times the minimum wage (adjusted annually, it is just over R$505 (US$270) per month for 2010). They might be street sweepers, waitresses, maids, construction workers, doormen, beach cleaners, parking assistants, (did I mention Rio's propensity for job creation!), etc. These people are also consumers. More and more have cars, cameras, and cell phones, and 97% of favela homes have a TV. But they still live in a favela, which means less access to infrastructure, such as sewage, trash disposal, and running water, and slimmer opportunities for a good education.

Upper class favelados. I know very little about this group, but I speculate that the people comprising the upper echelons of drug gangs reside here. I imagine that these people don't necessarily have to live in favelas, but choose to. Certainly these guys have cars and iphones. They control the favela - just like the very small percentage of wealthy Americans who run their tentacles through everything in US society.

Also, it is safe to bet that if someone lives in a favela, that person has dark to black skin. Although favelas sound like very dreary and poverty stricken communities, they are also self sustaining mini-economies that have their own shops, banks, and even fast food (hello McDonalds).

Middle Class Society:
Again the middle class here, like in the US has the lower, middle, and upper class. Middle class society is very similar to the US middle class, it is huge and varied. There are people trying to make ends meet, there are people living comfortably, there are those whole live a life of excess, some can afford it, others can't. People have jobs, kids, apartments, homes, cars, and TVs. Some have summer beach homes and BMWs. Others have a bicycle and a cell phone. I would say the lifestyle I am living right now would fall into the category of upper middle class (even though I think I always live like a queen, I mean, really, look at my life.. how good it is!). I go out to eat at least once a day, I live beach front, I have internet access, a maid occasionally comes to clean and cook.

High Class Society:
This group, as in the US, is a minority. Even contemplating the amounts of money people have here is pointless. I mean really, the wealth gap is HUGE now and these people who already have millions just want more while people sleep on the street. It is sick.

So far this is my interpretation of the social class structure in Rio. I'm sure it will be changing as time goes by, and it will be interesting, and maybe even helpful, to go back and read this later to see how my opinions change.

Bananal Hike, Itacoatiara, Brazil

Bananal Hike

Finally the weather is getting warmer (I know I will be begging for the cold when it gets sweltering here later), so Russel and I headed to Itacoatiara for a little dip in the Atlantic (the Atlantic Ocean is huge! I swam in it in NYC and now again in Brazil!). After our swim we decided to leave the jam-packed beach and go on a hike to Bananal (photos).

Bananal is basically a big rock over the water. People sometimes set up a slackline here and walk across a high gap from one giant rock to another. I have also seen videos of people rappelling down the rock.

Russ and I hiked through the forest to get there (very beautiful and green, btw) then spent some time just sitting and listening to the birds. While in NYC I bought some pastels - my girl Anne uses them and seems to like them, plus they are small enough and portable enough for traveling, so I made the investment in a new hobby. I have not been into drawing since I was in like 3rd grade, but I'm not trying to make some amazing work of art, just relaxing my mind and being present. Since we were at such a beautiful place I took some time to draw the scenery.

I liked Bananal a lot - surrounded by forest behind you, huge rocks on either side, and the ocean out in front. Peace. Those are the times when I like to feel gravity pulling me to Earth - feeling centered, grounded.

After a few hours of hiking and finding peace on the rock, the sun fell behind the mountain and we headed back.

Below you'll find a short video of the hike, and a plug for our other site, soletravelbrazil.com - which will hopefully receive a face-lift while I am in Brazil.

Uganda Newspaper Tells Readers to Hang Gays, Provides Photos and Addresses

A Uganda Newspaper has published a list of its "top 100 most notable gays and lesbians" providing readers not only with with names, but also photos and addresses of listed individuals. Next to the headline it asks readers to "hang them".

The article was published on October 9, 2010, and since then at least four gay Ugandans on the list have been attacked and many others are in hiding, according to rights activist Julian Onziema. One person named in the story had stones thrown at his house by neighbors.

A year ago lawmakers in Uganda attempted to pass a bill that would make homosexual activities punishable by the death penalty. This was sidelined after huge international pressure.

The US has been making baby steps towards equality and although we still have a ways to go, at least we are much farther along that Uganda (as long as Tea Party America stays at a safe distance from the White House). 

Video Projected on Rio's Christ the Redeemer

When I first arrived in Rio, O Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) was lit up bright pink to bring awareness to breast cancer (one out of eight Brazilian women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and 10,000 die of it each year). This is my third time in Rio, and I had never see the Christ lit with anything other than the bright white lights that bathe it every night, making it visible for miles around, so seeing the Christ pink was pretty exciting.

But I was in for another surprise - last night the Christ was turned into a giant screen. The video is supposed to give the impression of the Christ rotating 360º and looking down to admire the city of Rio below.

The project is intended to bring attention to the huge problem of the sexual exploitation of children.

It is great seeing Rio use its newly found global stage to bring attention to causes that are not only local issues, but global ones as well.

Watch the video projection below, pretty incredible what they did, eh?

Friedman & Investing in Science

I just read a great little OpEd by Thomas Friedman in the NY Times. Basically it is boils down to the fact that the US has a grand opportunity to invest in innovative science and new technology, but we are half-assing it. We are spending trillions of dollars on endless and unnecessary wars yet we are unwilling (not unable - unwilling) to spend $1 billion to fund five years of totally necessary, and ground-breaking, research at eight hubs around the US, attracting the best and the brightest from around the world. Where are our priorities?

As Friedman states, "Welcome to Tea Party America. Think small and carry a big ego." What a perfectly accurate and succinct description of Tea party America.

Friedman also pointed out that although this issue may seem small - just like climate change seems small, and ocean pollution seems small, and the depleting and polluting of our groundwater seems small, and giant oil spills seem small - it is the small things that matter:

Nations thrive or languish usually not because of one big bad decision, but because of thousands of small bad ones — decisions where priorities get lost and resources misallocated so that the nation’s full potential can’t be nurtured and it ends up being less than the sum of its parts. That is my worry for America.

Full Article

Trash on Piratininga Beach

Trash on Piratininga Beach, RJ, Brazil

I've been writing about how much trash is on the beaches here, so I thought I'd upload a photo - the one below allows you to zoom in and out. Take a look at how many small plastic particles there are. This is what birds and fish are eating. Actually, right after it took this photo I watched a seagull eat a small piece of plastic - it looked like it may have been part of some sort of plastic wrapping.

Plastic has no end. It always persists. It is just broken down into smaller components, even when it is microscopic it is still plastic. Plastic also leaches toxins out of the water like a sponge. And this is what fish eat, this is what birds eat, this is even what we eat. And did you know that there are vast areas of ocean where plastic particles far outnumber plankton particles. This is a huge problem.

Brazil vs. US Elections, an Outsider's Perspective

I am always amused when I read news about the US from a non-US news source. This article is from Jamaica and compares the election scenes of the US and Brazil. It also summarizes the US economic and social situation from and outside perspective.

About the elections:

Elections this year in Brazil and the USA provide a study in sharp contrasts. Brazil approaches elections with enormous zeal, boosted this year by the outstanding international economic situation of their country... By contrast, the economic situation of the USA is probably the worst since the Great Depression of the 1930s. With the unemployment rate hovering at 9.6 per cent and approximately 15 million individuals out of work, the national mood is most dour. Normally when there is so much unhappiness about in the land the electorate tends to punish the party in power.

About punishing the party in power (Democrats):

Democrats who hold majorities in both houses of the Congress fear the worst, although the present economic problems arose largely under the previous Republican administration of George Bush who, between 2000 and 2008, managed to eliminate the substantial budget surplus built up by Bill Clinton. Not only that: Bush reduced taxes, mostly benefiting the rich, and started two extremely expensive wars in Iraq and Afghanistan without introducing any measures for underwriting them. At present both wars cost American taxpayers more than US$100 billion each year.

About the candidates:

The interesting ethnic background and solid intellectual achievements of the three leading Brazilian presidential candidates would probably be severe handicaps in the United States.

About the US electorate:

The US electorate, especially adherents to the Tea Party, demonstrate a marked lack of political sophistication. There is a general hankering for the good old days of Ronald Reagan, despite his disastrous economic policies. Many are attacking government at all levels while expecting government to solve their basic problems.

On the new world order:

It will take many years for the economy of the USA to recover. Of that every thinking person is certain. The imagined good old days will never return. The world has changed and the new economic powerhouses are Brazil, Russia, India and China. Brazil represents the future; the USA, the past.

Interesting stuff, eh? And basically true.

Full Article

Lixo Extraordinário: Waste Land Documentary

I have been noticing all of the trash in Rio. There is just so much trash on the beaches that it can't all possibly be cleaned up. I will surely be writing more about this topic on my blog at some point, but right now I want to give my attention to a film called Waste Land.

Unsurprisingly, all of the Cariocas (residents of Rio) I've talked to have no idea that the worlds largest garbage dump is just outside their marvelous city. While doing some research on this dumping site, called Jardim Gramacho, I came across this film. Check out the trailer below:

A Small Favela

A Small Favela

This is a photo of a very small favela (slum) in Itaipu. As Karine explained it, this is a "middle-class" favela - not the best and not the worst. You can see an area that has collapsed. That part is filled with debris and trash. Actually, right after I took this photo a woman came out onto her patio and threw a bag of trash into the pile below - totally natural for her. But then again where does all of our trash end up? In some huge pile somewhere, probably India, or maybe swirling around a gyre in some ocean garbage patch. Sad. But I'm sure I will get into that more later.

Açaí and Pão de Queijo (Cheese Bread)

Açaí and Pão de Queijo

One of my favorite things, among many, about being in Brazil is the abundance of açaí (pronunciation). I can get açaí whenever I want and it tastes much better than anything in the US. I like it com banana, morango, e guarana (with banana, strawberry, and guarana).

This photo was taken at one of Russell's favorite açaí spots. Their açai is good but I think he really likes the pão de queijo (cheese bread) more than anything - and we only eat it when it is hot and fresh.

Here is an easy recipe for pão de queijo.

Google Street View Rio

Bodies in Rio's Street View

Rio de Janeiro became the first South American city to be mapped by Google's Street View service. Unfortunately the camera took a multiple photos of dead bodies on various streets in Rio. After complaints, Google took down all offending images but has previously said that the images Google captures are 'no different to what anyone might expect to see for themselves around the country'.

Serious stuff. There are places here that are really like a war zone - and that is not an exaggeration, it is reality.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1318426/Google-Street-View-captures-bodies-street-Brazil.html#ixzz120uAyiUs

Beginner Slackline Praia de Icarai

These kids were really excited to be on camera and asked Russell and I if we would put the video online. They don't have a computer but still know about youtube, so we told them what to search for - "Slackline Praia de Icaraí" - and hopefully they will be able to find it and watch themselves.

New Look

 I need some opinions - do you like the new look of my blog?

Old Style

New Style

Maid of the Mist, Niagara Falls Video

Just going through some of my videos that are sitting around and though I would put a little something together since it is raining right now in Rio.

Goodbye New York. Hello Brazil!

After a long flight to Rio de Janeiro

Once my mom left New York, Russell and I had a few days to pack, clean, and eat all the delicious food we could before getting on the 13 hour flight to Brazil. Traveling from the East Coast to Brazil is sooooooo much easier than traveling from the West Coast. Often from California you often first have to fly to Florida or North Carolina, so the East Coast trip shaves off 5 of 6 hours - NICE!

This flight to Brazil was the easiest one yet, not only because it was from the East Coast, but also because Russell and I got the emergency row of three seats all to ourselves - read: tons of leg room! I also invested 16 dollars in a travel pillow - you know, the ones that go around your neck. What a good investment that was! Now I can doze off without my head falling off to the side. It really adds another level of comfort to long trips.

On top of that, the turbulence was not bad at all. It was mostly smooth with a few parts like being in a car driving down a country road - a country road in the US - not bad at all. Nothing like my last two trips to Brazil - once the plane has such bad turbulence that the plane literally fell like 5-10 feet out of the sky while flying over the Amazon. That was my worst flying experience ever. But this trip was good (as were my flights to NYC from Cali and Buffalo, as well as my flights to and from Mexico), so my confidence in flying has been boosted up.

Leaving NYC

That's What She Said

My mom in Central Park

The next day my mom and I woke up and took the bus to the airport - after stopping at Fairway Market, the best supermarket ever! I had a really great time hanging out with my mom, and she proved to be an excellent sight-seeing companion - nice relaxed style like me. I wish she would have had one or two more days in NYC just to being the tempo down a little. I also would have liked to take her through the rest of Central Park - we didn't make it to the "wild" area of the park, nor the north end of the park (one of my favorite areas).

Here is what my mom had to say:

I had the best time in New York and was so lucky to have a free tour guide. I could not imagine having to find all the sites myself. I got to see so much and enjoyed every minute of it. We were non-stop all day and I was lucky to have the perfect weather, I would recommend September as a great month to visit. I loved the Statue of Liberty and had many conflicting thoughts at Ground Zero. If you like shopping there is plenty of that. Times Square was very interesting lots of people everywhere. Central Park was awesome would have liked to gone there for a whole day and walk the entire park, with a dog would be cool. Going to the Top of the Rockefeller was amazing, you could see so much. Anyhow I had a great time and would like to thank Darwin for his free flight and my beautiful daughter for spending the time to show me the sites of New York, it would not have been the same on my own. Also was grateful to have a place to stay for free and the many good eats, thanks to Russel and Erica. Someday I will travel back there if my free tour guide can go.

Wow. I sound like the best guide ever! And I probably am, mostly because I've read Lonely Planet New York City so many times and my head is full of fun and random NYC info.

My mom and I in Central Park

Times Square, NYC

My mom and I in Times Square

After Top of the Rock my mom and I headed to Times Square to meet Russell. I am so happy that my mom was still going strong at this point. It was already late and we had done a lot of walking, so kudos for that! I think my mom liked being on the giant Forever 21 screen - that is always fun.

The big screen - Can you spot us?

Times Square is really cool for like 10 minutes - just enough time to take in the lights and people everywhere, but not enough time to start getting frustrated by it all.

That is about how much time we took before heading to Little Italy (where we stumbled upon a huge Italian Festival, I think celebrating Naples), for some delicious dinner and another nice end to another wonderful day.

Top of the Rock - Rockefeller Center

My mom and I on Top of the Rock

After visiting the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, my mom and I headed to the Top of the Rock. We had stopped by the Empire State Building earlier, but is was something like $22 each plus another $15 to go to the very top - lame. I had heard the Top of the Rock was much better since it has two levels that are both accessible, and has a really great interactive light room. When you walk into the room he room knows it and gives you a colored light that follows you wherever you go. When you get close to other people your colors can merge. As more people enter, the room gets filled with more and more color and turns into a giant light show.

It is also nice that when you buys your ticket you get a specific time to take the elevator up. This way, there is really never a big line (unlike the Empire State Building, which always has a looong line). Also, while you wait to go up there are pretty interesting videos playing.

The light room

On the way up, the elevator goes dark and you can look through the clear ceiling, and see the little blue lights that speed past as you go up. Once at the top, there are two levels. The first level is one that you can walk around and includes the light room. In the center of this lower level it the peak of the building, which are reached by stairs from the first level. The peak has an unobstructed 360 degree panorama view of the city and beyond - including a view of the Empire State Building, which was lit up very beautifully.

I have never been to the top of the Empire State Building, but I think I can already say that I would recommend the Top of the Rock over the Empire State Building - especially since Top of the Rock includes so much more for the same price.

Definitely one of my favorite things that I have done in NYC. Spectacular.

Moon over Manhattan from the Top of the Rock

View of the Empire State building from the Top of the Rock

Rockefeller Plaza

New York Island Hoping - Liberty Island

View of Manhattan

Liberty Island is home to - you guessed it - the Statue of Liberty! The night before I had gone online to see if I could get tickets to the crown - no luck. If you want to go to the crown they say to book 6 months early for peak summer, and when I looked in late September the tickets were sold out through the end of November. The general admission adult ticket is $12 - totally worth it - and includes ferry rides from either New York or New Jersey to Liberty Island and Ellis Island (and back, of course). Again, if you plan in advance you can go up to the top of the pedestal for no extra charge (only the crown costs extra), but even these tickets were filled until late October.

The far side of Liberty Island offers up one of the best views of Manhattan, but the best view on the island is the one looking up at the towering Lady Liberty.

My mom and I at the Statue of Liberty

New York Island Hoping - Coney Island

Nathan's Famous hot dogs

The following day my mom and I took the long subway ride to Coney Island. To be honest, I am not sure if I would have ever made it out there if my mom hadn't come to visit, but I'm glad I went. From what I had heard about the place I imagines a lot more "freaks" around, but the boardwalk and beach were nearly empty, and it looked just like any other boardwalk. This could be because we went there on a weekday with summer coming to a close - I've heard it gets packed during peak summer.

Because there were no crowds, we were able to easily grab a bite at Nathan's Famous original hot dog stand (although I got corn on the cob). Nathan's Famous opened on Coney Island in 1916 and quickly became a landmark. An annual hot dog eating contest has been held there on July 4 since its opening.

After eating, my mom and I took a stroll along the boardwalk, made a quick trip down the beach to get our legs wet in the Atlantic, and got back on the train and headed to Liberty Island.

Brighton Beach, Coney Island, NYC

My New Favorite Photo

Moon and Taxis at Columbus Circle

While my mom and I were waiting to meet Russell for dinner (Thai food - yum - and I think my mom's first) the moon rose over Columbus Circle. I love everything about this photo.

Staten Island Ferry

Statue of Liberty from the SI Ferry

The Staten Island Ferry is just south of Bowling Green Park so my mom and I hopped on for a relaxing ride after a long day of walking. The ferry is a great (and free!) way to view the Lower Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty. The ferry runs 24/7 and has been free since 1997.

Each way is about 5 miles and takes 25 minutes. With the wind blowing through our hair, the trip proved to be a nice 50 minutes of relaxation.

Lower Manhattan Skyline

Charging Bull at Bowling Green

Charging Bull at Bowling Green

Once we had walked Wall Street, I took my mom to Bowling Green to see the statue of the Charging Bull - because a trip to New York isn't complete without seeing that thing.

The Charging Bull is located at Bowling Green, New York's oldest - and possibly tiniest - public park. It is said that this is where Dutch settler Peter Minuit paid Native Americans the equivalent of $24 to purchase Manhattan Island.

The Charging Bull was permanently placed here after it mysteriously appeared in front of the New York Stock Exchange in 1989, two years after a market collapse. I've taken photos of both the front and back ends - the bull has not been castrated.

Walking Wall Street

Federal Hall

Going to Wall Street with my mom was the first time I have been there on a weekday - and what a difference. On weekends the place is pretty much dead, but weekday are a different story. On weekdays, Wall Street becomes a bustling little center with hoards of men in black suits, heavily armed police, and tight security outside of the NY Stock Exchange, plus a nice sprinkling of tourists.

Wall Street is where you'll find Federal Hall National Memorial. Federal Hall is where George Washington was sworn in as the first president of the United States on April 30, 1789 and where the first US Congress convened. Out front is a huge statue of George Washington.

New York Stock Exchange

Across the street is the New York Stock Exchange. Wall Street has become a well-known symbol of American capitalism and greed and unsurprisingly is home to the worlds best know stock exchange - the New York Stock Exchange. This is where about a billion shares, valued around $44 billion, changes hands daily - $44 billion, daily...

The Charging Bull once resided on Wall Street after it surprisingly landed in front of the NY Stock Exchange in 1989. It now sits at Bowling Green Park.

Trinity Church, Wall Street, NYC

Front view of Trinity Church

Back view - note the lovely & large organ pipes

The first time I went to Trinity Church it was closed (you need to arrive before 4pm and a $2 donation is suggested). The second time I went, church was in service. This time, though, my mom and I were able to stroll inside the chapel as well as take a rest in the peaceful cemetery, where ancient gravestones have been made smooth by the passage of time.

My mom in Trinity Church

Trinity Church was founded in 1697 by King William III and in 1864 the third structure on the site (the chapel we see today) was constructed, introducing the neo-Gothic movement to America. At the time of its construction, the 280 foot bell tower made it New York City's tallest structure. I also find it interesting that this church, which represents peace and giving, is situated at the dead end of Wall Street, home of never-can-be-satisfied greed. I'm sure Alexander Hamilton, who is buried here, is rolling in his grave (see a photo of it here!).

I found this to be very beautiful.

While in Trinity Church the security guard took a liking to me and pointed out a few parts of the church, but what was most unexpected was that he told me to go up onto the altar. I took some photo while he pointed at interesting things. Then he pushed me to go farther onto the alter to see more up close. While I was up there a few people tried to walk onto the stage where I was but the security told them that they were not allowed. I was the only person he allowed to go onto the alter and look around and take photos. Maybe he did this because he could tell I was so enamored with the beauty of the place. Regardless of the reason, I am still grateful that I was able to go up there, and grateful that got some nice photos!

My Mom's First Visit to Ground Zero

After we went to St Paul's Chapel, my mom and I took a walk around Ground Zero, which is a pretty big area to walk around.

Progress on the new building is moving fast - the building has certainly grown since my first visit to Ground Zero three months ago. And take a look at the building's infrastructure - heavy metal!

My mom in front of one of the new towers.

Ground Zero sits close to the water, so I took my mom through the World Financial Center over to the water side for a view of the Hudson River opening into the bay and the Statue of Liberty. This is also where the Fire Fighters Memorial is located. The dying and wilted flowers were still there from the most recent September 11 anniversary.

Fire Fighters' Memorial

Leaving the waterfront, we turned back towards the city to finish our walk around Ground Zero. After some delicious New York style pizza, we stepped into the temporary 9/11 museum (it will be moved once the new buildings and plaza are finished).

A remembrance wall in the 9/11 Memorial Museum

Saint Paul's Chapel, New York City

Bring a rescue worker's patch to add to the collection

My mom came to visit me in NYC! She arrived on Monday night and first thing Tuesday we commenced sight seeing!

First, downtown! We took the 1 train to Chambers street, which puts you right in front of St Paul's Chapel. St Paul's Chapel is Manhattan's oldest public building in continuous use and George Washington came here to worship after his 1789 inauguration. This was the chapel's main claim to fame until the Twin Towers came crashing down across the street, covering it with a thick layer of white dust and debris. It survived the attack and became a spiritual center for all those who needed it and became a place where rescue workers came to sleep and relax. It now houses a permanent memorial.

St Paul's Chapel

Every time I go to St Paul's Chapel I look at all the headstones that are now washed away and nameless, and think about how ephemeral life, and even death, is. Death is a notion that those who are still alive created. One moment you are alive, and the next, dead - but you have to be alive to even contemplate death. For some reason this is strange to me. Often when I go to the Chapel, I sit in the cemetery overlooking ground zero and think about series of events that were set into motion when those towers came down - events that are still happening today. Next my thoughts jump to all of the people - service men and women, journalists, civilians, even the terrorists - all different kinds of people, who have died because of that series of events. I begin feeling anger with a touch of sadness. Then I look at the headstones, completely worn down, and think, what is the point of it all? We can eff up the world and each other as much (or as little - that is an option too!) as we want, and it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.