Tales from New York

[khaosworks]

The sib called up this morning, all excited. Apparently on Monday the powers that be are going to be housing her and her roommate at either the Sheraton or Park Central. They'll be fed at the Dining Hall, their textbooks will be replaced and they'll be given a $200 stipend for clothes and necessities. Being the grinch I am, I told her to remember why they were getting this, but then again I'm not the one who's living in a federally declared disaster area, cut off from their apartment, with no idea when they can go back.

Still, the Sheraton isn't a bad deal...

Too Much Information Dept: Stomach pains this morning followed by agonizing trip to bathroom. Feel better after ingesting several capsules of activated charcoal. That'll learn me to trust the otak-otak they serve in the cafeteria...

Comments

"The sib" replies

[(Anonymous)]

I was evacuated on Tuesday since I lived only a couple of blocks away from the World Trade Centre. My roommate and I were getting ready for class when we felt the windows shake and saw people running and smoke billowing just in front of our apartment. I immediately decided that getting out was the best thing and at that moment, the fire alarm went off. We ran amid the ashes and clouds of debris, heading north for Chinatown and then Washington Square where NYU is situated.

Everything's fine now - have been living like a refugee for the past number of days, had a brief respite with my Dad's friends at Long Island for two nights, and am back in the school gym (my home for the next two nights) until they settle our alternative accomodations on Monday.

It's been incredibly harrowing but my inconvenience is nothing compared to what the families and friends of the World Trade Centre victims are going through, or those who have lost their lives because of ideological rhetoric.

NYU has been incredibly kind to us during this time - they've replaced all our textbooks for free (and most of my biology books go easily for $100 a pop), have given us a $200 stipend to buy clothes (since all we have are the shirts on our backs) and are arranging better accomodation than makeshift cots in the school gym. Meals at the dining halls are also free. The generosity of the city has been incredibly moving and I can't wait to get on my feet early next week so I can help in the volunteer efforts and food drives.

It's going to be okay - It's hard for anyone to understand what we've been put through except for the fellow refugees living with us in this ad-hoc camp here. Lots of sweat and tears this whole week - it's been such a nightmare - but we're all going to pull through. And so will this city.

I came to NYC to study journalism. The irony isn't lost on me. All this talk about war isn't very reassuring for anyone in the world right now. Baby steps for now...