Christian Scherer's digital pictures

URL : http://www.ensmp.net
Password : alex/2001/09/14

Alex's Album
Attack on America

From: Alexandre Scherer <alexscherer.geo@yahoo.com>

   Subject: Friday September 14, 2001

I woke up around 8 today. I had a good night sleep. I actually feel like sleeping

  more than I usually do.

They lifted the check points on 14th street. The restricted area is now only south

   of canal street. I also heard they needed socks and T-shirts at the Javits center

   (west midtwon)

I made a donation to the firefighters fund. I sold most of the stocks I hold in

   France.

We can hear army jets flying over our heads every 10 minutes or so.

I felt like crying in my car when I heard on radio some religious song I used to

   sing when I was young. It made me feel better but on the other hand, something tells

   me it is not good to be overwhelmed by religious feelings, or any kind of emotional

   feelings, in current circumstances.

I went to Costco (shopping center 30 miles north of Manhattan) and got some stuff

   for the rescuers. I intended to go to the Javits center but the red cross had an

   area whithin Costco where it was possible to donate. I guess it was better that

   way rathen than my messing the traffic midtown.

I then went to Queens to have my car maintained (oil change). On the way back to

   Manhattan, I could not refrain from searching the towers in the sky line.

Back in Manhattan, I spent some time on East 86th street, one of my favourite areas

   in Manhattan. I took a coffe at Barns and Noble and a bought a CD (Cake - Comfort Eagle).

   The street was crowded as usual and this cheered me up.

I talked to John Ahern on the phone. He was touched when I told him I got a lot of

   support from France.

I called Scor up in Paris (Scor is my current employer) to get the personal numbers

   of Scor people here in New York. Helene, the lady I had on the phone, told me that

   all SCOR employees present in the WTC managed to evacuate before the collapse.

   I sent an email to Steve Desner (Steve is the head of Human Resources at Scor).

   Steve left me a message back. We hope to resume work on Monday at 199 Water Street.

I had a chat with Francoise. Francoise is our nanny. She is muslim. She is ok and

   shocked as we all are. She is afraid of blind retaliation against the Muslim community

   in the US.

Around 7pm, we (Cecile, Victoire, Olympe and I) got out of our building and lit

   2 candles in the street at the corner of 75th street and 2nd avenue. There were small

   groups of people on each and every corner of the Upper East Side. All of them with candles.

Then we went to visit some of our French friends in the neighborhood. All children

   were playing in a room while we were discussing the situation and what the future

   will bring.

I am starting to realize that this is a war. I wish I could be wrong but I am not.

   I believe that the People in America are determined to put terrorisme to an end.

   It seems that everyone knows is duty and is ready to do what it takes. I am afraid

   I see no other option and each country in the world will have to decide if they stand

   with or against the US in light of the most dramatic consequences eitheir choice

   may result.

They stopped broadcasting foreigns news on TVs and radios. We do not have anymore

   the "20 heures" and Radio France International. I still have the internet though and

   I guess it is vital. Communication will remain a major factor in this war.

I read a lot on the internet. English news, Russian news, Indian news, Pakistanese

   news and French news obviously.

I saw Air France has resumed some of its flights to the US. They say they are the

   first European carrier to do so. I cannot refrain from feeling proud.

   Mobile Number : 1 (646) 752 3510

   Personal Web Site : www.geocities.com/alexscherer.geo

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