Travel Tips

September 11, 2001, people of New York will never forget this day when two commercial airlines commandeered by unknown hijackers crashed into the New York’s landmark World Trade Center, shattering the famous twin 110-storey towers that was once the tallest building in the world. The attacks altered the very skyline of Manhattan.

The chaos began shortly before 9:00 AM. The people of New York came to halt by scenes of bloodied survivors running through the streets of downtown Manhattan, covered with dust and ashes. The entire Nation and across the world witnessed a man and woman holding hands as they plummeted from the skyscrapers. The forty three thousand glass windows of the World Trade Center shattered as the north tower was sinking. Then minutes later another plane hit the south tower throwing debris and dust cascading to the ground. While, as reportedly, in the West Bank city of Nablus, thousands of Palestinians celebrated, chanting “God is Great” and handing out candy. It was the act of evil.

Aftermath, the citizens of New York rallied together and showed moral support to the survivors and families of the victims. Many restaurant owners opened their establishments to rescuers and volunteers for free food. People rolled up their sleeves around the nation to give blood. Emergency personnel nationwide traveled to New York to help. People donate money to the American Red Cross. And the entire country and the world prayed for the victims and churches held special prayer services for the families of the victims. The American flags flown high outside their homes with pride. Yes, in this time of crisis, Americans unite and show patriotism. The foundation of freedom can never be demolished.

And your inspirational messages helped me to cope up with a missing (presumably dead) friend and former co-worker, who worked on 104th floor of the WTC. I thank you individually for your kind words...

I'm glad to hear you're okay, as is your family. It must have been scary as hell. It will be a long time before New York will be full operational again. - Laura

I am writing to express my grief, horror and outrage at the atrocity perpetrated today on the people of America, please accept my sincere condolences. - Nils Dahl

Glad to know you are okay there. - Kamal

This act is deplorable at best. I still have a strange feeling of fantasy and almost (and most certainly) unreal. The sheer numbers of those that perished will be stunning. After my years living in New York, it looked more like a movie set, than a home, where I 've lived. We can never know what the final thoughts of those that drove all those innocents to their unknowing fates, only that whatever the final numbers, their memories remain in our souls. - Jeff

I am so saddened by this info. I lived at 33rd across from Madison Square, I know exactly where you are. I could not imagine what you're going through. Please be safe and most of all BE WELL! - Jeff

It is with great sadness that I send this message to you, at this horrendous moment in your lives. I know you will know - but I just wanted to say it - that myself, my family and the citizens of UK are speechless at these outrageous acts of today. I had to leave for work at just after 4 pm UK time feeling physically sick and stunned, having just heard the first reports on the radio news. I, for one, am deeply shocked, and have shed a tear myself. But it will be many days before the horror of these events really reaches our hearts. I don't know what else to say to you except may God bless you all. I have sent this personal message to all my USA friends, wherever you may be, and I regret my intrusion into your lives at this terribly sad and tragic time. With deepest respect and sympathy. - Geoff

Good to know you are okay!!
I was involved in the OKC rescue(s)
...tornado and bombing. I have to swallow the lump in my throat and just move on. I know first hand what they are facing in NY but this is massive. Pray for peace for all. Love to all there, - DeLois

Thank you for the updates that we ARE NOT seeing on the news as of yet. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all my friends there in NY constantly. The pics on television of the rescuers faces look all too familiar to me. They are still finding victims alive ...keep faith and know we are all thinking of you. - DeLois

it was such a shock... great to hear you are safe! - Mayon

I'm glad that you are okay and hope you didn't know anyone that was hurt. Let's hope tomorrow is a better day. - Richie

Thanks for the fill in on your life and the scene in the City. Been trying to call a friend whose brother works at the Exchange, I hope he is okay. Still planning on my trip but I guess the planes will determine that too. Hate to go away and have to bite my tongue out there, but plans are hard to stop once started. We'll see.
Hope all is well soon for you and take care. - Richie

you all must be in great shock, iam so sad about this things happening to you people overthere. no words to say........... shocked like everyone else. as for holland i can say may people stopped working and glued to the tele, cnn. - Carin

I am hoping that in this time you are alright. I am just concerned and overwhelmed. - Joann

Hope you are fine!! It's very sad to heard terror attacks. Take care... - Sabrina from Taiwan

My messages of sympathy to all who were affected by terrible terrorist attacks of September 11th. May God be with you and bless you in your sorrow. - Takis

My deepest sympathies with all victims, their families and friends. My thoughts are with you. - Johan

Hope you are not affected by attacks. Please accept my condolances. Me and Turkish People share your sorrow and pray for you. let me know that u r OK. - Bora

Yes, This act of terror was evil and inhuman. Lucky, I was not there during the incident, but unfortuately the people in the WTC I have there deepest sorrows for. cheers! - Domenick

Hello and I am hoping that you and all your loved ones are safe and well. It was with absolute unbelief and horror that I watched the scenes of the happenings yesterday. Even now I cannot really comprehend what has happened and cannot only hope that the only good thing to come out of the tragedy will be that everyone over the world will join forces to route out this evil and conquer it. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. God bless, my love - Margaret

i am so sorry to hear about Michael and his family, but so glad that you have been helped by the
messages on VT. Even I, so far away from the actual ste of the tragedy, feel as though I personnaly have been hurt. So for someone so much nearer to it the whole situation must be unbearable. I think the world has become a much sadder place this week. The one good thing is that people across the world are also coming together, I hope that that stays so for ever. Please give my love to Michaels family, I think of them often, they are in my prays. A big hug - Margaret

I am so glad that you are ok. If you need anything just let me know. please. Your home city is like mine, and I am really very sad. Thanks for writing.. God bless you! -maria

I am working in Missouri this week. I can't get on line and get logged on at VT on this computer. I did surf to your home page. I was relieved to learn that you were alive. I was worried for you. When I get back to Kansas next week I will be in touch. Hope you and the people you care about are safe and well. Your friend, - Steve

God Bless you too, my friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your fellow countrymen at this time. - Rhianon

Am glad to read that you're okay. In trying to get to all my friends and family here, I also started wondering about my fellow New Yorkers on VT. I don't know everyone, but there are a few that I always notice and remember so I just thought I would check pages for login times. It's been a horrible ordeal and I'm hoping that we all proceed with calm and determination and not hysteria and hate. Take care of yourself and I'm happy to read you and your family are well. - Lisa

How's your life going on now...I'm glad to know that you are ok, then how about your work, is it really affected? Nakakalungkot ang pangyayaring ito diba? Hindi ko lubos maisip but you know ganoon lang talaga ang buhay...all I can help is to pray God dahil siya lang ang nakakaalam ng lahat. Ingat ka palagi - Ligaya

I'm shocked again by these terrifying and inhuman events. My more deepest thoughts go to the American people and especially to all people of NY. Sincerely, - Daniel

i wish the parents of Michael a lot of strenght this must be horror to them........ i have a son 2..... - cat

I hope you and your family/friends are well and safe. I've been away this week (off VT)and like everyone else in America, shocked, saddened and glued to the t.v. and radio. It was only last night I realised I knew someone in NY - you. Take care my friend. With peace and sympathy. - Keewee

I am still in shock from this terrible act of terroism.I keep asking myself,how can human beings do such a terrible,barbaric thing. Have they no feelings or emotions?? I hope you and your family and friends are all safe. This act has effected the lives of everyone around the globe. American, English, Irish, Australian, South American and many other people have been killed or are missing. I keep asking myself why? I think that the world joining together and fighting this terrorism thing is the best way to do it. England, Cuba, Russia, Pakistan, Turkey, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and many more countries are standing beside you and together,we will all succeed in ridding our planet of these murderous people.We will make the world safe again. You are in my thoughts. All the best - Rachel

In sorrow we mourn for those lost
In gratitude we embrace those around us . In sympathy we reach out to those who grieve. Be strong ... hang in there ... we will never forget ... our thoughts are with you all ... - Adeline

I am glad to hear the you are okay! I think we will all be fearful whenever we are near a large building or on a plane for a long time to come. I know Iowa is praying and donating both blood and money, since those are the only ways we can help from such a distance. *HUGS* - Michelle

my deepest sympathies to you and all affected by this tragedy. I feel that the world has been irrevocably changed forever and it is profoundly sad. And it must be especially so for you and others so personally affected. I send you my friendship, kindest wishes and hopes. your Canadian VT friend - Michele

Only I say my hope and my friend.
There are any chelean people disappeared what was working in the tower. Bye. Good luck - Felipe from Chile

So glad to hear you are safe and well,your sister too. What happened on Tuesday is still so hard to believe for us over here, it must be so much worse for you. I do so hope you find your friend, SAFE AND WELL. take care - Mia

it's still really hard to believe.... maybe I'm simply refusing to accept such an horror.... I have a dream, I wish I can remember those people as the martyrs for a new better world... it's all on us to never forget them and work for a peaceful world - Paolo

I'm so sorry it took me a while to write. But let me just say that I'm happy to learn you're all right. At the same time words cannot express how deeply saddened all of us here in the Philippines are by the disastrous events of September 11. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of you, especially those who have been personally affected by the tragedies in NY and Washington. Mabuhay kayo, ipananalangin namin ang kapayapaan ng mga nasawi. God bless, Honey

I'm in Vietnam for the moment. And I am sad. Really sad. I don't know how to express how I feel,I think you understand. Stay strong,my friend. I'm proud of you. - Jimmy

Shocking... that's the only word I can say for the catastrofy in your country. Why do some people do these things to other people. Innocent people are the victim of a group of terrorists. Terrible.
Nevertheless I am glad you're OK, but my thoughts are with all the people who suffer because of this attack. Take care and all the best for everyone. - Kees

We want to thank you for the helpful tips you send us for planning our trip to New York. Meanwhile, due the tragic events in NY, for security reasons we cancelled this trip to the US. We want you and the American people to know that we feel with you all, and hope the people who have done this will be punished hardly. Let us also hope for peace all over the world. God bless America, God bless all the families and friends of all affected by this tragedy. - Dominique & Ines
Belgium - Europe