SpecialFeature |
| A tragedy through the eyes of a tourist |
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Special Feature |
| A tragedy through the eyes of a tourist |
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Emma Azzopardi was leading a large group of Maltese tourists on a tour in New York on Black Tuesday. They all had tickets in hand to visit the twin towers and had already made plans to do so later in the day. Little did she know that she would be running for her life just minutes later. The following is her experience in her own words: I thank God and my lucky stars that I, along with my group, are still alive. I happened to be there in New York, on that fatal day of September 11th on my way with a group of 38 persons with the tickets in hand to go to the towers. At 08.50hrs we left the hotel lobby for a full day excursion of 'Manhattan Comprehensive'. We were on our way to the twin towers but our driver received information of the first crash in the north tower and was instructed not to travel south, and to possibly have our tickets changed so we could visit the Empire State Building instead. We were diverted north towards Central Park and started our excursion by visiting John Lennon's memorial site. It must have been here, next to this memorial monument where the words of his song IMAGINE are clearly imprinted on marble that the second plane struck the south tower and it was obvious to all that this was a terrorist attack. This song is about peace in the world and here we were in the middle of a threat to world safety and peace. We continued on our excursion and went on to visit St John the Divine but as soon as we got there, security personnel stopped us from getting off the bus, telling us that no tourist guiding was allowed, only worshippers, because New York was under a terrorist attack. Apart from the attack on both towers, Pentagon had been another target and another plane fell in Pennsylvania. Hearing Pennsylvania some people on the coach thought it was our hotel bearing the name Pennsylvania Hotel, and panic was on their faces. We could not believe what we were hearing and begged the security to let us go down and spend a short time in prayer together, and that's what we did. Coming out of the Cathedral we were hurriedly ordered back in the coach and Howard, our guide, and the driver were to take us back to the hotel where we were advised to stay. There was mass panic in the streets as stations, shops, Offices were closed and people had to walk. Bridges and tunnels leading to Manhattan were sealed off. Manhattan was isolated from the rest of the world. It took us more than 60 minutes to get back to the hotel even though we were only a few kilometers away. All of us were petrified. It was like living in a trance, a dream. I tried to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming but no, it was really happening. USA was under attack and this was the most devastating terror assault in history. The sadness was tangible - sadness because of the death and destruction, because of the threat to world and personal safety and peace. How can anyone create such badness and evil that can cause such hurt to so many, how can people plan such a thorough mission and intelligence is used to destroy rather than create? The experience was in people's faces and we were a part of it. I felt the burden of responsibility so strong that day because I feared that some might become hysterical, if not ill or unwell as I had a good number of senior citizens in the group. My son, Sandro was the first to get to us on the phone, asked where we are and sounded quite relieved just to hear our voice. We had left our program back home and they knew that same morning we had programmed a visit the Towers. He asked whether we knew anything of what was happening in New York and we assured him that we knew and were all safe and sound. My cousin May also telephoned and seemed quite concerned as in the meantime both towers had fallen off. As soon as we got back to the hotel our first reaction was to telephone back home and let them know that the entire group was safe. Whoever was lucky and got through, could not even speak as a big lump in the throat held one from uttering any word. Tears engulfed our eyes and I, along with men and women were crying in utter disbelief of what was going on around us. I telephoned Unique Travel, our Associates and asked Sonya to put three radio messages assuring relatives of Fantasy Tours Group that we were all safe and well, thank GOD. The tension was great but I tried to keep my calm. I ordered the group that we should stay together whatever happens and that no one was to leave the hotel if not to eat in the few restaurants that were still open, around us. I could not issue the usual program for the morrow as I usually do. We grouped up and went to the rooms and watched CNN in disbelief hardly understanding that we were in the centre of Manhattan, trapped and isolated and only blocks from the horror of it all. Next day a number of us spent most of the time stuck in front of the TV watching the news. Out in the streets, this morning, New York was like a ghost time. The area was cordoned off to make way for the ambulances, fire engines and police, and all we could hear all day and night were sirens echoing all around us. There was the smell of the burning buildings when the wind turned north. It is a known medical and scientific fact that the sense of smell is the most primitive and developed of our senses - so it would be no wonder that some of us might have that memory. Without realising its power persons can be precipitated into the fear when we smell burning here even though we are now safe and sound at home. Late afternoon we went to hear mass in a little church next to us in 33rd Street where Father Mychal F. Judge, O.F.M. a Franciscan Priest, was killed by falling stones and debris under the second tower. He was giving the last rights to the dying when he, himself was struck and killed. So many people queued to give him a last most merited salute. In front of the church there was the fire-engine, still full of debris, which he had stepped on to give the last rights to the dying firemen. His funeral, or parts of it, was televised by CNN. Early evening half the group decided to walk up two blocks to Times Square to have something to eat. Others wanted to stay in the hotel because they were not hungry. Another experience of horror and terror befell us. As we were near the Marriott Hotel, a line of Policemen on bikes, with truncheons in their hands were heading directly towards us shouting 'RUN FOR YOUR LIFE - RUN WEST'. Imagine how we all ran crying and puffing in disbelief in front of the roaring motorbikes. Still under a hurried pace, we encountered family Spiteri who had lost themselves from the group and were so very pleased to have met again with us. They said that they were heading for the hotel but were turned back by Police. Together we ran and walked until we came to a calm area when we realized that two persons from the group, who had decided to go and buy some souvenirs nearby, went missing. I tried to turn back but Police would not let me get through. I tried to go in the direction of the hotel to get to the remaining group but again I was stopped. One of my helpers, France Polidano ditched the Police and courageously turned back to look for them but to no avail. I got hold of the mobile phone and tried to get to the hotel reception but there was no answer. We asked Police and people why we were made to go west and were told that there have been two bomb scares, One in Penn Station and one in the Empire State Building. The station happens to be right in front of the hotel, the Pennsylvania Hotel. As we waited we were feeling cold and froze as we waited and waited. It seemed like a lifetime. We were in a street corner and Police were nearby. We felt better there just seeing their presence. It started drizzling and we wondered what was to become of us if we had to stay up in the street all night! About a couple of hours later we were told that the streets were clear again for pedestrians and there was no danger. We headed straightaway for our hotel saying rosary and hoping everything was all right with the remainder of the group, and little knowing how very far we had run west. As soon as we got to the hotel we found the rest of the group, who had stayed behind, and again we hugged each other and cried as we narrated our experience and have to know theirs, which was also another terrible experience. They said that as they were all in the lobby chatting, they saw many people screaming and shouting 'BOMB - BOMB' running into the hotel. There was chaos everywhere and nobody knew what direction to take. People were fainting on the floor and even trampled upon, others were screaming and hitting their head with their hands. All of a sudden Police were in the building and made the people evacuate the building immediately. They were hurried about three or four blocks away into another hotel. In this confusion one of the group forgot her handbag and unfortunately did not find it when she returned. When things calmed down and searches for bombs carried out, they were told to return to the hotel. Nobody seemed tired and everyone was afraid to retire to his room. I was very uneasy but did not want to show it. I tried to explain that we were all together in this and we should be supportive to one another and must not panic whatever the circumstances. Before I went to my room I made sure to show the EXIT doors to the few who would have been able to help in an emergency. The night was really scary and I could hardly sleep with the feeling that the Empire State Building, which I could well see from my window only a block away, could be the next target. I was sure that if that happened we were all doomed. All the rooms allotted to my group were on the 16th floor. Early morning I telephoned the Malta Mission and spoke to the Ambassador Mr. Walter Balzan and told him how tense the situation had become and that we were feeling very lost, unhappy, trapped, stressed and forlorn. I also told him that I was expecting someone from the Office to come and see us just for a bit of support. He invited the whole group to go to his Office that same morning to see how he could help us. We walked to his Office and were welcomed by the Ambassador himself. He spoke to us and said that he was sorry if we expected more of him, but he was ascertained the day before that we were all well so he did not think he needed to get in touch again. Apart from us, of course, he had other big problems relating to other Maltese-Americans living there or other Maltese who had been stranded there like us and could not return to Malta. As we left the Office we walked down to the riverside and I saw a boat. I tried to call it out thinking that I might hire it and we could go for a little cruise, something which was supposed to have been down in our program and we never got down to doing. Unfortunately this was only a Police Boat as no other boats were functioning on the waters since the 11th. Everything had stopped operating, even boats. After that we started walking back to the hotel. Later on I got a taxi and went to Colonial Airlines near the Trump Tower in Columbus Square, as there were rumours that they would be operating on the following day. After a wait of more than 90 minutes our tickets were all confirmed. I returned happily to the hotel telling the group that we were going to fly on the morrow as airports would be open again and that flights will be operating. Later that afternoon there was another bomb scare, this time at Macey's Department Store, which was only a corner away from us. Next morning I made a wake up call for 3.00a.m. and at 4.00a.m. we were at the Airport. To our great disappointment, on arrival, we were told to turn back whence we came as the Airports had been closed again and no flights were flying that day. Now today was Friday and I was hoping to get to Miami and forget this entire trauma and start the Cruise on Sunday morning, as was planned on the program. We returned to the hotel where I had already informed reception to keep the rooms for us, just in case we didn't fly. The group was all down in the lobby and nobody wanted to go to the room, as they were all eager to get out of New York. I tried to do some phone calls to hire a coach but to no avail. I was told that the driver would need two nights to get to Miami and we would have to make two stops on the way. This I could not accept because if we arrived later than Sunday morning, than we would miss the cruise. I couldn't bother about the heavy rainfall at the time. My husband Manuel, France Polidano and myself went to the Malta Mission again to try to see whether they could help us. Mr Balzan himself contacted the Cruise Lines in Miami informing them of our eventual delay and they promised to wait for us till 5.00p.m. He even allowed me to use his own computer to get on with some important emails because the other three computer systems were down. I really appreciated his gesture and thanked him again for being so kind to us. After leaving the Malta Mission Manuel, France and myself get drenched on our way to Port Authority. There we spoke to various Coach Tour Operators without success. I had some telephone numbers, which I had previously contacted from Malta and tried one of them and thank God we found a very nice lady with the name of Irene who was so helpful. She offered the coach with two drivers for nearly a thousand dollars less and we immediately did a contract, which had to be honoured there and then. We returned to the hotel giving the group the good news and they were so thankful even though I explained that it was going to be a tough journey with 25 hours of driving with just one hour or so for supper. We boarded the luggage and were ready for departure around 2.00p.m. Immediately we started on our way we sang some hymns and said the Rosary in thanksgiving to our Lord for being so kind to us and find us a way out of Manhattan. The day after, we arrived in Miami at our hotel around 3.00p.m. Entering the hotel lobby, I was stunned when I saw the heading of the papers saying 'WE ARE AT WAR'. I thought to myself 'From the pan into the fire'. Could we still be in danger on the ship? Soon after we settled in the rooms we met again downstairs and all went to Mass again to thank the Lord for keeping us away from all harm and helping us to get to Miami in time for the Cruise. WHAT A CRUISE!!! The Voyager of the Seas, the biggest ship at sea was welcoming us with all its luxurious surroundings, promenade, pools, jacuzzis, a La Carte Dining, Theatre, Disco, Climbing Wall and an Ice Rink. We had such a good time on the cruise that I am so thankful that we did our utmost to get to it. My only disappointment was that the 13 persons, and who were due to meet us in Miami flying from Malta did not make it, as their flight from London/Miami was not flying till Saturday afternoon and they would not have made it in time for the Cruise. After such a traumatic experience, now that we are all back safe and sound, I ask: What does the good GOD want from us that we are still living? I had quite a few narrow escapes in my life and I seem to ask the same question over and over again! I have not yet received an answer!! Emma Azzopardi Group Leader P.S. I would very much like to take the opportunity to thank Mr Walter Balzan, Ambassador of the Malta Mission and his staff for the kindness and cooperation they extended to all my group throughout these traumatic four days we spent in New York.
Detailed moment-by-moment of the devastating attacks and their aftermath A list of the major terrorist attacks against the United States in recent years.
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