Our trip to the U.S.A. (22) -Going to Washington DC

We woke up very early on July 8th.
Marabeth took us in her car to New Haven to take the train to Washington DC.
On the way she had very bad news. A family member had died after a serious illness.
We were all so sorry about the news.We had anticipated that something like that might happen while we were in the States. We are grateful that during those difficult times for Marabeth's family we were not in the way and were travelling to Washington DC as it was prearranged.
New Haven Station

New York skyline

 WiFi on the train!See Barca on my tablet?

 Arrival in Washington DC with a storm on the horizon!

 When I looked at this view I said "Yes I am in the USA"

 A quick glimpse of the city.

 And then the rain started.

 We arrived safely at the suburbs where my life long pen friend Sophie and her family live.
We stayed at her parents' house and loved their guestroom!

 We then gathered around the television and looked at old photos I had brought in a small USB from my mum's photo album.

 And then we had a great dinner cooked by aunt Julia. Although this family and I are not related the fact that we have the same roots from Istanbul and our families stayed connected for so many years makes me feel as if they are my family, as if we are relatives. We so enjoyed our stay here from the very first moment!

(to be continued)

9/11 the endless tears

I am starting my U.S.A. travel log with the 9/11 memorial and museum in New York to pay my respect to the thousands of people who lost their lives there and to their families. Photos by hubby and me. 

The moment we stepped out on the square that now holds two huge fountains on the place where the two towers were standing I was breathtaken with sorrow. Speechless, crying, bringing back the moment I returned from school that afternoon of September, 11th, 2001 and watched on TV live the second plane crashing on the tower and then the towers collapsing. I can never forget.

Seeing those huge fountains each as big as the footprint of each tower, deep and black and with the constant running water, I was overtaken by tears. Tears like the endless tears in people's lives.

 And all around carved on black granite the names of the casualties with the occasional rose or cross to show that some relatived passed by.

 And then we visited the museum about which so much controversy errupted.

 We left with so much sorrow in our hearts and the hope that terrorism, no matter where it comes from,will cease to exist.