Windows On The World That Was

The view was spectacular and panoramic, it was a place for people to meet, that was quite unique, because it was located a quarter of a mile above the earth. It was for that reason the exclusive club was so rightly named, Windows On The World.

The only way to get to this exclusive setting was by elevator, because Windows On The World was on the one hundred and seventh floor of the World Trade Center, in Manhattan, New York.

It took the elevator only thirty two seconds to go from ground level up to the floor that Windows On The World occupied. You could hear the wind whistling past the elevator cage as it made its rapid ascent.

When the doors of the elevator opened on its arrival, the effect was just breathtaking, not only because of the speed of the ride, but because of the view that welcomed the dizzy travellers.

A host of people were dancing to a fabulous swing band, laughing and talking with excitement. Smiling faces were to be seen all along the bar from people having relaxing drinks. Others were dining in the romantic candlelit restaurant setting.

The views that could be seen through the windows were of the Hudson River far below, the Statue of Liberty on Staten Island and a panoramic landscape of the rest of Manhattan.

Many helicopter lights could be seen, circling in the air, giving anyone who looked out, a true perspective of the amazing height at which they were viewing.

Those revellers that had stopped their dancing and were returning to the bar to continue their drinks, perceived a sensation of movement, which made them slightly lose their balance.

They did not know if it was because of too much drinking, the affect of the dancing or maybe it was the strong winds that on occasion would cause the building to sway.

During the day the buildings were fully occupied, by the thousands of people who were going about their business in the offices, which were located on the other hundred or so floors of the twin towers.

But at night this was the place to be, because it was unique and there was no other location in the world that was anything like it.

Imagine if you can, having a nice relaxing drink, before sitting down to eat a meal that was prepared by one of New York’s top chefs and then dancing the night away with not a care in the world.

The atmosphere was one of total enjoyment, without any possible tinge of sadness, because nobody knew the fate, which was waiting for them and all the other occupants of the World Trade Center.

At that particular moment in time, any thoughts of danger, mayhem and death were far from the minds of the people that were absorbed in their conversations, or were taking pictures of their wonderful experience.

Now that wonderful setting no longer exists and neither does the twin towers or the countless number of people that unnecessarily lost their lives.

All that is left are memories for the people who had the opportunity to visit and enjoy it and who now look back on the Windows On The World that was.