Ten years later

It was a hot sunny day. On September 11, 2001, I came back from a workout at the track, took a shower, and turned on TV, like any other morning. The World Trade Center was burning. I grabbed my video camera and headed out on my bike. At the corner of Delancey and Suffolk, we could see the smoking tower. Within two hours, I witnessed both towers collapse in front of my eyes only blocks away on the West Side Highway. It is the hardest thing to remember in my life. Not just that day, but days, weeks, and months to follow. I didn't really want to do anything to remind me of that time. Taiyo was too young to acknowlege this past event. So we just headed out, like any other Sunday. Just for fun.

We crossed Manhattan Bridge to the Brooklyn Bridge Park. Last weekend on the ferry I noticed the old carousel on the water and wanted to check it out. It was still not open for public, but there were plenty for us to explore! Taiyo ran around the playground, climbed up on a sculpture, and threw stones into the brown water of East River with other kids. Helicoptors circled around above to remind us what day it was.

Across from the kids' playground was Bubby's. I figured this cannot be a kid-unfriendly joint because of the location. Sure enough, there were many families diningn with kids, but we were still offered a low table, upstairs, but away from the window by the waiters' corner. Did they know that we were not from the neighborhood? They gave him some crayons but Taiyo didn't like the sheet they gave him for drawing. Dumbo became such posh new neighborhood quickly, it's still beautiful but I probably wouldn't care for the neighbors even if I had that kind of money to live there. So the food arrived, and I was like, this is $20 omlette? It wasn't bad, but it was kind of sad: nothing special. Just little omlette with over toasted toasts and cheese grits they charged me for another dollar. Really? Pancakes from kids menu looked pretty sad also with a few silver dollar pancakes with just bananas on top. Taiyo enjoyed it anyway, but I thought some additional berries would've been nicer. I give credit for them though for having a changing table in the bathroom. I would go back there if it was half the price. Recommended if you have some money to waste.

After lunch we continued north on the park and found the little playground perfect for the littlest people. It was also great for parents since if you park yourself on the comfortable bench, the whole park was still within your view- you'd always be able to see your kid without getting up and following them around.

Then we had to make a stop at Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory at Fulton ferry landing. They seem to have a great review for ice cream, but it was just some ice cream for me. Taiyo of course loved it, but only had half of the strawberry ice cream. There was a wedding phot shoot going on outside, and Taiyo provided them background music with his harmonica.

In the evening I watched 9-11 documentary on TV and cried and cried. Remembered the candles that were lit on every corner, faces of missing persons posted at every bus stop, train station, and hospital, downtown streets covered with white dusts, and strollers abandoned by waterfront. One good thing that came out of it for me was that I decided to open SOY, a place where you'll get good food and nourish both your body and spirit. Here I am, ten years later, still providing Japanese comfort food for the neighborhood. One day I wish to tell my son all about it.