Andrew J. Lederer

we took the path back to new york, heading toward the world trade center rather than the more uptown stops. this meant a train ride through the pit at ground zero, 'round construction implements and the structural remnants of the twin towers.

what a ride.

i've always sort of scoffed at the tourists who come looking for ground zero because, one, there's nothing there other than a construction pit -- if you don't know what happened (or even if you do, really), there's nothing unusual to see.

two, i feel there's a morbid, rubbernecking quality to the desire to see the site of a massive tragedy.

but

if you're gonna see the site, a trip on a path train is the way to do it.

'cause being inside the pit seemed to communicate the nature and magnitude of the devastation (and the place) in a way that standing alongside it does not.

and -- as if that weren't enough -- once off the train, my friend pointed out one of the only pieces of the original trade center not only still intact but still being used -- the stairs that connected the center to the e train station.

the original flooring is still there -- i remember walking on it before and after visiting the subterranean mall to which it used to connect.

sheesh.

feelings. sometimes you have 'em.