[Norb2569]

I have never had the desire to go to NYC since I am a southerner, but since 9/11 I want to go SOOOO BAD.

Was there a distict odor?

I was witness to a house fire that killed my classmate when I was in the 5th grade and I saw and smelled the charred remains. I smelled that same odor in the service many years later and it brought it all back in my mind. I started vomiting like I did 15 years before at the house fire.

[medic]

Yes, there is an odor. Like the remains of building fires only worse because you know there are people entombed in there. You can get surprisingly close, as close as a block on one side (sorry I don't remember which one.) We drove in on Veteran's Day weekend (Saturday, wouldn't have gotten close on Sunday with GW's visit) and we had no trouble. Find a parking garage then start walking. BRING A CAMERA. Also can bring flowers or whatever, there are memorial walls all around. My husband volunteered with an EMS crew that was sent down there in September and we are so glad we went back. Truly it is a shrine.

[The Wizard]

I didn't notice order, I was driving to a meeting, but I wouldn't be surprised, closer

[RightOnline]

"Was there a distinct odor?"

I haven't been there; don't live there, etc.........but I have talked to many who have, many who do. They ALL say exactly the same thing: The most profound thing you notice as you get close is "the smell". I'm not sure about right now, but they all said that the smell was overwhelming; permeating the whole area. Not just that "burning" smell, but "the smell of death". Never forget that thousands of people are still buried in that heap of twisted metal and rubble. It's a horrible thing.........and as has been pointed out, one that we will never, EVER forget.

[PoorMuttly]

Everyone, and I mean everyone should come down here, and stand at this place. Anyone with a soul will be changed. There is nothing to be said about it. One really "gets" the gravity, the reality of human suffering and barbarity, when seen, paritcipated in, just by being here. Don't worry about being from out of town, or from another country. We know what you're going to feel, and know...and it makes you one of us, and we, of you. We are all together now, and murderous death is our common enemy...from now on. We'd love to see you. If you have a uniform from somewhere, and wear it, on any of our streets, expect to see tears. They're from gratitude. It's hard to be alone at times like this, and we are grateful for your company.

[Libertarian_4_eva]

I live in staten island and a few miles from the landfill that they dump out the material from and its insane hearing them for the first few weeks dumping the tons of material and seeing the spotlights on all night.

I went to ground zero a few weeks ago and then you could smell a pretty discusting oder however the worse smell was that of just burning material. My father works for the T/A and he told me many people for the first few weeks had to put vicks on their nose to block the smell of rotting flesh.

[garycooper]

Wow, that's very rough.

[GOP_1900AD]

To me, the smell was sort of a combined burning cellulose and plastic smell with the slightest hint something (besides flesh, more like grain) being charred. Not really like what you seem to have experienced in combat or with the burned house. (Folks, FYI, my description here intends no offense to the deceased, I simply want to describe what I experienced. May they rest in peace.). My guess is that the amount of compression / overpressure combined with extreme temperature prevents the type of combustion, and its aftermath, some of us are familiar with. I really recommend all to go down there if you are anywhere near NYC either in residence or just passing through.