Amandita Designs: World Trade Center Memorial and Little Italy Festival

The day after the Bocelli concert we went to see the World Trade Center, National September 11 Memorial and Museum. You had to have a ticket to get in. You can get them online. They let people in according to their time on their ticket. When we walked in, it was so peaceful and beautiful. I really think they did an excellent job of honoring those who died.
My sister brought tissues and I'm glad she did because I needed them. I didn't think I would cry. I didn't know anyone personally who had died, but seeing all those names and the reality of them dying where I stood just was overwhelming. I was overcome with emotion and couldn't help but let my tears fall for these people.
I think the thing that bothered me the most was seeing names of women and next to their names was 'and her unborn child'...it just tears your heart in two for the loved ones who were left behind. They didn't just lose one but two that horrific day.

This was the South pool...

and the North pool.

We're on our way there.

I love our flag!

The buildings in New York have so much character.

You can see the Empire State Building.

This is the new World Trade Center being built.

It is going to be 1776 feet tall which signifies the year we declared our independence!

If you want to find a specific name you can go to the website and find which pool it's listed at.

Me, my sisters: Martha & Shirl, my mom, my neice: Jaimee, friend: Chris

The man behind my sister is placing a dozen roses on someones name.

He was crying. It made me cry all over again.

The is the Survivor Tree. They found this tree a midst all the rubble of the collapsed Twin Towers.

They were able to save the tree and nurture it back to health.

It is now the symbol of survival for those left behind.

Once we exited the memorial we walked over to the Tribute WTC Visitor Center.

They had some relics from the Twin Towers and those who worked as first responders.

Aluminum from the World Trade Center.

At the 10 Firehouse there is a memorial for the fallen firefighters.

FDNY Online Memorial- you can look for all the names of the first responders who died saving others.

Dedicated to those who fell and to those who carry on. May we NEVER forget!

After the visiting the memorial we found out that Little Italy was having a festival.

It was really neat. They had the whole street blocked off.

Tons of little shops and restaurants lined the sidewalks and streets.

They closed the street for 10 days!

We ate at this restaurant that was on the street outside. It reminded me of Italy, because that's how they set up their restaurants there. They have the option of sitting inside or sitting outside...you want to sit outside so you can see all that's going on around you. =) You don't want to miss anything! The atmosphere was neat!