It was a traumatic experience here in downtown Manhattan. I live on the Lower East Side now The East Village depending on your real estate status,which is about 2 miles from the World Trade Center. Early on Tuesday morning I heard a thunderous crash, followed by screams which did not make sense to me. I knew it was an explosion yet had no idea how severe until I reached the corner of my street and saw the building on fire. The hour that followed was one of uncertain future. By this point I was up near the U.N. It had taken me 10 minutes to get there and it took me an hour and a half to get home. There was madness in the streets. Everyone was shattered by the attack and afraid of the possibility of more. For two days my neighbourhood was locked dowm with police checkpoints controlling the flow of residents in and out of the area. No newspapers were delivered those days, and putrid toxic fumes covered the area, The sky was quiet, as were the streets save for the sound of jets and the ring of sirens. This continues today as the grim reality sets in that possibly 5,000 people (the final toll was lower - Ed.) have been incinerated. I feel fortunate to be a lowly artist right now and that I do not know anyone first hand who is missing that I am aware of. The disaster is sickening and horrific, but the repercussions are just daunting. Thanks for your thoughts. I'm sad I didn't make the informal reunion.

Tessa