2001-09-13 - 11:01 p.m.

The Roaring Silence

Here it is, two days later, and everyone is still stunned.

The most remarkable thing is how quiet it is. Everything seems hushed, muffled, like it was wrapped in cotton. Even the traffic seems quieter.

Ordinary sounds are missing: the noise from the people next door, the shouts of children playing. This is in spite of the fact that the weather is fine outside.

I know that things will return to normal eventually. For example I know that down in New York City, Harry went back to work today after taking yesterday off. When he called me earlier, he did not sound happy. Buildings blowing up do not impress his Japanese bosses.

However, I still cannot make a long distance call. All the circuits are still busy. To talk to Harry I have to send him an email, and he calls me.

According to the news, my estimate of 30,000 casualties was way too high. I'm glad of that, but still so many are lost.

The silence is deafening.