But ever since we started planning this NY trip, I’ve been gripped with fear about maneuvering through a busy subway with four children, my parents, and “Wrong-Way-Gilad”.

Will they be able to get on and off fast enough?

Will we get separated?

Will they annoy other passengers to the point of violence?

Much to my relief, the whole trip was a pleasure. It was... Read more »»]]> I was once an avid subway rider in Tokyo. I loved the precision and reliability of the whole Japanese railway system.

But ever since we started planning this NY trip, I’ve been gripped with fear about maneuvering through a busy subway with four children, my parents, and “Wrong-Way-Gilad”.

Will they be able to get on and off fast enough?

Will we get separated?

Will they annoy other passengers to the point of violence?

Much to my relief, the whole trip was a pleasure. It was a far superior experience compared to the drive to New Jersey.

And most importantly: no one was lost or beaten up by fellow passengers.

By the time we finally made it to NY, however, the site had been cleared of the rubble (apparently), and all that remains is just another construction site.

Having been to the Twin Towers repeatedly in the... Read more »»]]> I always thought we’d make a point of visiting Ground Zero when we finally get to NY. Say Tehillim (Psalms), meditate on the enormity of the event, try to make the stories a little more real for the kids (and for us), and so on.

By the time we finally made it to NY, however, the site had been cleared of the rubble (apparently), and all that remains is just another construction site.

Having been to the Twin Towers repeatedly in the past, I didn’t really want to go there without something “heavy” to experience.

So we talked about it and decided together to skip a close-up visit. Instead, we just aimed our cameras in the direction of Ground Zero, and paid our respects from a distance.