Emotional Storm, Day 3

Editor's note: The second-year Lambton College Digital Photography students are on a five-day work study visit to New York City.  Follow our daily blog about the adventure.  Each day, two students will share their thoughts on the experience.  Please join us as we experience New York City.            

By Devon Groombridge & Larryl Ybanez

Sarah Scheible standing on platform beside the moving

 Q train in the subway. (Photo by Devon Groombridge)

With the end of day 2, day 3 began with a slow aching start. By slow aching start, I really mean that a majority of us didn’t get out of bed till 7:25am, cutting it close to our 7:45am leave time. Once on the road and at the subway, we caught the N Train to the 9/11 Memorial Museum… approximately 30 minutes behind schedule.  

Once in the Museum, we were immediately immersed in the facts and events that happened on September 11, 2001. Between the artist renditions of the sky on the memorial wall, the wreckage of fire trucks and ambulances and the voices of both the departed and the survivors, it was an intense experience. A majority of us had to walk away from one exhibit or another because of how emotional we were becoming. All in all, I would suggest to anyone coming to New York to check out the Memorial Museum since it was beyond what you’d expect when you walk through the doors..

Sidney Fletcher adds her on personal note to the
9/11 Pilgrimage Alter in St. Paul's Catherdal

After 2 hours within the museum, we were once again off on our grand New York adventure, stopping at both St. Paul’s and Trinity Church where we were amazed by their architecture and presence within the community. What made these two churches a must see is that on September 11th both St. Paul’s and Trinity were largely undamaged when both towers fell; both also played a huge part with housing survivors. Some might see it as luck while others say it’s a higher power.

Our next stop was the National Museum of the American Indian, where we had an hour to roam around and photograph the artifacts. The museum is a part of the Smithsonian Institute, so you know instantly that it’s going to be very informative about the American Indian and their culture. The exhibits ranged from pottery, painting and statues to photographs, clothing and jewellery. Apart from the exhibits, the building itself was a gorgeous example of New York’s historic architecture, with spiralling grand stair cases and a domed oval skylight..

Meeting on the front stairs of the NMAI, it was a hop, skip and a jump to Battery Park, where the class had a little while to wander and photograph. Many of us relaxed on benches whereas others took in street performers, or photographed the Statue of Liberty off in the distance. While we took a much needed break, our excitement grew for the opportunity to walk to Brooklyn Bridge; we barely noticed the grey clouds looming in the distance.

By the time we hopped onto the 15M bus to Brooklyn Bridge, all of us had noticed the storm clouds rolling in. They seemed far enough away not to be immediately concerned about them, since a cloudy sky can make for a killer black and white photograph in the right setting (according to Chidley). As we made it towards the walkway of the bridge, we started noticing more and more umbrella sellers around. We really should have taken this as a sign not to cross.

We were 1/3rd of the way to the 1st support of the bridge when it started spitting. By the time we made it to the 1st support it was concerning enough to bring out what rain protection any of us had (2x umbrellas, 2x rain ponchos +17 people). Half way on our way to the 2nd support of the bridge, the heavens opened upon us.

Between putting our cameras away and attempting to look less like drowned rats then we already did, the wind picked up and soaked us through; there was also some thunder and lightning in the mix to make things worse (because you know things can’t get worse). Well, they didn’t, although yes for the most part a few of us got separated, (and might have panic called their teachers and a few fellow classmates), we all ended up being together at the end of the bridge.
I don’t think I need to say that Day 3 was one heck of a day, but it was. From the emotional roller coaster of the 9/11 Museum to the experience of a lifetime of being soaked through on the Brooklyn Bridge, I don’t think I would change a thing about it… other than the rain and lightning while on a giant metal structure.

Onwards and upwards to our 4th day – our free day!

Alexa Manser shows off her hand after her hangs onto one of the beams by the subway on our way to the 9/11 Museum (Photo by Larryl Yabanez)

David Beaton and Alexa Manser photographing the 9/11 Memorial Fountain. (Photo by Devon Groombridge) 

Ground Zero’s wall of paintings from various artists who we’re asked to paint their rendition of how the sky looked on September 11^th, 2001. 

The "Last Column" stands in the 9/11 Museum  (Dave Chidley, Photo)

Lambton’s Photography Students relaxing on the steps of the National Museum of the American Indian after a very long day. (Photo by Larryl Ybanez)

Street performers doing a nerve-wracking stint at the Battery Park. (Photo by Alex Manser)

Clouds rolling in, bringing light rain just before we walked to the first support of the Brooklyn Bridge. (Photo by Devon Groombridge)

Dark clouds creeping in over New York’s skyline at as we walk the Brooklyn Bridge. (Photo by Larryl Ybanez)

David Beaton, still smiling in the rain as we walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. (Photo by Emily Hussey) 

Jodi Tamminga laughing and having fun in the rain on the Brooklyn Bridge. (Photo by Emily Hussey)