It is an odd feeling sitting in a spot that was completely submerged with river and rain water exactly a year ago. I do not spend a lot of time near the Seaport or in the Financial District but decided to acknowledge (and contribute to the economy of) one of the areas that is still recovering from Hurricane Sandy’s wrath.
The diversity of the island of Manhattan never ceases to amaze me. As I sit on a wooden stool at Pier 11 literally a few feet above the east river (next to a seagull who is giving me the side-eye), I watch the Seastreak Ferry (one of its journeys is between Manhattan and Martha’s Vineyard) docking, vehicles racing on the FDR above and behind me, the nearby heliport is humming with landing and disembarking helicopters and the autumn sun is reflecting off of the wake caused by the NY Waterway vessel.
My heart is full of empathy for those affected by any type of tragedy. I do not compare one person’s loss to that of another; one hurricane to another; one flood to another or one fire to another as each deserves its own attention, its own mourning period, its own community coming together to care for its neighbors, its own opportunity to receive anonymous assistance from strangers and of course, its own recovery. I do, however, relish in the strength people possess to overcome. This is what I celebrate, with the utmost respect, today.
There are many people and businesses in need after a disaster strikes but if you would like a suggestion on how to easily stimulate the post-Sandy economy in Manhattan, visit the South Street Seaport area. As I write this, I am enjoying a Barbera d’Asti at the very friendly Bin No. 220 which just reopened a year after the storm. I took a photo of the water mark on an interior column (approx. 9 feet above sea level). www.binno220.com www.southstreetseaport.com