First stop on Friday was back to the 9-11 Museum. It's really captured the interest of the children - particularly as they were mostly too young to remember what happened (or weren't born) and we've met a number of people who've recounted their experiences of the day. On the way downtown on the subway a man next to Finbarr and I started chatting. He is a retired police officer with over 20 years service now working in security in Wall Street. When I last came to the USA we toured the stock exchange and were able to see the brokers in action on the floor. It is now completely closed to the public and streets surrounding Wall Street are almost vaulted closed - no access even for suppliers without major security clearance.
He was a really interesting man - was on scene during 9-11 and had the terrible task of sorting "parts" and cataloguing for identification (I'll spare the details). Counsellors had recommended no officer was to work more than 3 weeks at a time on the task, with 2 days break minimum each week, but he worked for 7 days a week with no break for 5 weeks before having the chance to take a day off. Traumatic and awful but he said no one would tear themselves away because of the importance of the job. He was thrilled we were going to the museum.
The museum itself was amazing - they have done an excellent job of respectfully putting together information, significant pieces, photos and recordings of events. You could spend days there and not see everything. So very sad, so moving and such a wonderful tribute to those who lost their lives.
After the seriousness of 9-11 Museum things got a lot lighter when we went right back uptown to visit the huge toy store, FAO Schwartz. For anyone who's seen the movie, "Big" with Tom Hanks, this is the scene of the place he played on the giant piano. A million and one toys, it was the US version of Hamleys in London - and it had something for everyone. The toys and displays were fantastic and all of the kids came away happy.
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