Report written by: Richard Roy, Director Of Franchise Ops.

Pictures By: Richard Roy and GBNJ CEO, Bill Malkin

 

Glad you decided to join us for the last page of the official Big Apple Franchise Gathering. All that was left to do from the firehouse was to drive back to the port authority, say our good byes to Will and Jess, then drive back to NJ. Gathering over, later.

Wait, what? Of course because we were in NYC and had time, it didn't end just like that. As I said on page 5, we were not far from Ground Zero. I wish I knew that 6 years ago, I would have really liked to have seen The World Trade Center as from NJ I often saw it in the NYC Skyline. Ever since 9/11 or September 11th, the skyline hasn't been the same since. I don't really want to share my thoughts about 9/11, as I was there, its hard not to. Plus this report is to share our experience with the gathering (trip at this point) to NYC. I'll try not to run off on tangents with feelings about September 11th.

I will say getting in that area and walking to Ground Zero was an experience unlike any other ever.

We left the firehouse and drove to where Ground Zero was. It felt unbelieveable just driving in the area. We made a left I believe and parked way down the street. Getting out of the car, you immediately notice (if you missed it just a few minutes earlier) how quiet it is. We began walking, talking in a different tone, most likely feeling the exact same things. You notice the surrounding buildings, how 'dirty' they seem, yet etched in them memorials to loved ones taken from them.

We keep walking and before we come to the corner across the street from Ground Zero we see two people working as 1 steet vendor is selling all kinds of WTC and NY memoriabilia. This is bad enough and it bothers me. Undoubtedly after seeing Ground Zero and seeing 1 more street vendor at Ground Zero (actually along the site) it was more then enough to take every thing I was feeling and multiply it 10x. Of course I would not say anything to this woman. Only speak of my thoughts and feelings to Bill, Will, and Jess. Basically only in America (or in a democracy) could people profit at some point off a tradegy. I was happy to see none of these vendors had any customers on 6.12.04.

Standing on the corner before seeing the second vendor we all just stood kinda frozen to where we were, easily remembering what happened here, what was felt, what was seen. We didn't say much, speaking softly as if every move we made, anything we said, (and I am guilty of this) [And I only said my little GB reference because I felt tense, so list in my feelings, I wasn't totally sure how to react] would disrespect the dead. Nothing as worse as those street vendors. As we were there on that corner, it felt so much cooler then it had on the warm day as we approached Ground Zero. Being there felt eerie, but it was important and understandable to what happened here, to how we felt, to how a lot of people must feel.

The pictures you see above are from when we walked from the street corner to Ground Zero, then around the blocks where The Towers were. It was awe inspiring to see the American Flag still waving, reaffirming that whatever the country faces, we'll still stand and go on. Its hard to write about what we saw, what we experienced, and what I felt. Its almost as I'm remembering September 11th to the moment it happened. To be able to write something positive, like about the American Flag is great, it gives off good vibes of the here and now and what is to come. Something I think we all need. To bring this back as a GB Gathering, wasn't that part of what Ghostbusters II tried to teach us.

After, we walked back, never forgetting what happened, what we experienced. We found my Corolla, Ecto C, but before leaving in the once again warm air, we went into Dwayne Reade (sp?) and bought sodas/water. We didn't have directions from here back to port authority so pretty much we just had to drive. Now here is where its easy to see that I don't live in NY. First we were going the wrong way, but in doing so we were coming down (or up?) by the museum. I'm kinda sorry we didn't stop, it'll definitely be better when we know how to get there and are wearing our uniforms. It still felt exciting knowing we were near it. I kept driving, taking "polls" of where i should turn. Had I done that sooner maybe I wouldn't have drove us into the most congested area of NYC, Chinatown. which would have GB origins as well. We'd never know as we were in bumper to bumper traffic. I did learn something new that night, Little Italy isn't that far from Chinatown. Good to know if we're ever there and not driving.

It took a while (which doesn't seem that bad now), we were finally away from those areas and now "lost" as we were trying to get back to midtown. Nice how I say we now, instead of I right? =p It was sorta cool because we drove through Union Square and sometime after we ended up on 4th street. Now using logic "follow this logic" that only made sense to a few, we went up and down streets finally getting to where we needed to be. Not the highlight of the night, something I also won't forget. And it does add to the gathering. ;)

Unfortunately it was at this point Bill and I departed from Will and Jess. They had an hour or more before having to leave for MD. Bill and I needed the time in traffic to get back to Northern NJ. After saying our goodbyes Bill and I drove down those one way streets fighting traffic (and a setting sun) back to the Lincoln Tunnel. Once back in NJ we drive near HQ for a delicious dinner and then I dropped Bill off at the mysterious train station. Investigation pending.

It was an excellent adventure we had all been on. I had so much fun and can't wait until it can be done again. Except this time bigger, longer, and with our uniforms. I hope you all enjoyed the report on the gathering. A second one is being planned at GBI. When we know, you'll know. Hopefully you can make it, its a wonderful way to experience NY! "I love this town!" (Cue the theme!)