September 11, 2001

I am in total shock about the terrorism attacks in the USA today. We were at lunch here in Cape Verde when someone turned on the TV to the World Trade Center buildings burning. We all ran to tell others about what was happening because all volunteers were in language class. We gathered around this TV, and yelled out questions in horror. Did they drop bombs? Why are they burning? Where is that? Planes crashed into them? Whose planes? Oh my God. Was this a movie, or was this real?

We all sat staring in disbelief, and then they transported us to an American's house who had CNN in English. Peace Corps bought a few cases of sodas, and we sat around just staring and muttering in total disbelief. Later, they had us all go to the main Peace Corps office where a television was set up and air conditioning. It was so surreal to have seen the towers fall, and then to be eating popcorn (it's cheap and easy to make here). We all called people we knew on the computer's dial pad, and a few volunteers cried. How could this be real? Who was responsible? This means war, right? The Middle East is going to be a mess, and I just can't imagine what the next days and months will look like. The history of the US is forever altered. I just can't imagine the NYC skyline without the WTCenters....wowwwwww

I will be watching CNN over the next few days, but please email me any updates you have on death counts or survivors. Nobody is releasing any such information here. It's all so horrible that I can't believe it has happened. Let's all pray that there aren't any more incidents in the coming days.