September 11 in Australia
It’s time like this that I hate living overseas, I hate being an American expat and I hate being here.
When the Twin Towers went down I was at home, living and working in Los Angeles. I remember getting ready for the day and stopping everything.
I watched live, on TV as with millions of others as a plane flew right into one of the Twin Towers.
Later, I then watched it crumble right before my very eyes.
I left work.
I remember seeing the faces of everybody on the freeway as the look of disbelief and uncertainty draped over them.
Never before had I seen the LA morning commute like this.
What is normally a fast paced, finger gesturing free for all – was not a somber and sobering tombstone.
I will never forget that moment in time and how much it changed the lives of everybody on our planet.
Fast Forward to Today
It sucks being in Australia on any given September 11, post 2001.
It’s times like this that you should be at home and on your home turf, on your own soil and with your own people, family and friends.
At least, that’s what I believe.
September 11 with an Overseas Spin
Australia’s coverage and reports on September 11 are always lackluster, snide and at times, even cynical and just a bit too shallow.
To be frank, that’s pretty much the norm anyway.
I do get it. I’m in another country – it’s not the USA. I’m quite aware of that.
I’m not asking for them to change or put on some elaborate show.
That’s just how it is.
Their country, their house, their rules.
…When in Rome…
Yankee Doodle Cepo
However, to be a Yank and or a Cepo (I’m not a Yank or a Cepo. I’m American, thank you.) during this day is painstakingly annoying and more then aggravating to say the least.
You’ll get the occasional (I’m being very conservative with the word occasional here) Aussie or two (or three) who want to rib ya and purposely rub you the wrong way on your national day of recognition and mourning.
Any attempt to defend yourself or voice your opinion will be spun around into you being angry. The degrogatory comments that were just made about you and your country will produce the result:
“Ahh, come on mate. I’m just taking the piss!”
I’ve spent far too many September 11′s in Australia. I can only wonder what or how other American Expats experience and feel living overseas on day like this?
Either in Australia any other country.
I’m numb to it now. I’ve heard it all, I’ve seen it all – I know all the angles. You can take the piss all you want, you can Yankee this, Doodle that and Cepo us all day long.
It doesn’t work so save your energy.
When the well is dry, it’s dry.
No Australian September 11 Media Coverage Today
I will watch very little, if any Australia’s spin on September 11.
I don’t want to hear it. I’m not going to listen to a bunch of people who think they know everything yet have never been to America before. I will not listen to their talk like they know everything and continue to spin their false influence and persuasion on millions more.
No thanks. I’ve had that cup of tea.
I’ve heard it all, I’ve seen it all. I don’t consume anything information that I don’t want anything to do with.
Problem solved.
Paying My Respects at Ground Zero
I’m fortunate to have been to New York a couple times before.
I won’t forget my stay in Manhattan and walking down to the gaping hole where the Twin Towers once stood.
I won’t forget the long bearded man sitting alone against a cold steel fence as he played Amazing Grace, over and over again – in a lost, trance like state.
I won’t forget the wall of flowers and notes left behind to those who lost everything that day.
I won’t forget the tears still in peoples eyes as they walked around blanketed in sadness.
I’m lucky to have paid my respects to all who lost their lives that day.
It is that gesture and that journey that helps me to remember and traverse days like this.
No comments yet.