Part II of a three part series. Three weeks after the devasting attack of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon New Yorkers dust themselves off and learn to live life in a new survival mode.

October 2, 2001

Learning to live again - Week 3

The city is slowly yawning its way back to life. The streets are still not filled to capacity but they are no longer as empty as they have been over the past few weeks. Yesterday as I walked against the crowd during rush hour I was again jostled off of the sidewalk and into the street. It was an annoyance but a good indication that things are returning back to what is considered normal for Manhattan.

There seem to be more people lingering in the city discussing plans to socialize or simply enjoying a cup of coffee in Bryant Park and people watching. This weekend more people ventured out of the safety of their homes and returned to their regular weekend routines. Groups of roaming teenagers wandered aimlessly through Times Square bundled in their coats against the sudden Autumn chill.

News headlines are still dominated by the recovery and clean up efforts downtown. All hope for the rescue of anyone else are now nonexistent. Yesterday the remains of sixteen more firefighters were recovered in a collapsed stairwell in one of the towers. Hopefully this will bring their loved ones consolation and closure knowing that these brave men died in the line of duty with the desire to save lives.

Memorials are vigilantly maintained on street corners and firehouses with fresh flowers, candles and plastic covers when it rains to protect them. Police officers are still on alert throughout the city. Grand Central Station is still constantly surrounded and the side streets are blocked off while the streets around the United Nations Plaza are closed to most automobile traffic.

Surprisingly New Yorkers are taking the inconveniences in stride though at times tempers will flare. We seem to have entered a new survival mode. Now the main threat to our survival is impending economic hardship. Hundreds of people have been laid off from their jobs or their jobs don1t exist anymore as a result of the devastation 3 weeks ago. Those of us fortunate enough to still have jobs tread lightly and hold our collective breaths hoping that the economy will stabilize and we can get back to the security of the mundane.

The effects of September 11 will continue to haunt our nation long after the last remains have been recovered and the last piece of rubble has been cleared away. New York has been crippled but not paralyzed by the attacks. We are a resilient group -- you have to be in order to make your way in this city. We1ve managed to dust ourselves off and pick up the pieces in order to continue moving forward. That is our way of life. That is how we survive.

(c)2001

Related Articles:

*Our City Grieves - Week 2

Part III -Wide Awake: The City That Never Sleeps - Week 4
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