9/11 Survivor Taking Questions Online Right now on Reddit

Opening post
[link to www.reddit.com]

My office was on the 51st Floor of North Tower, which was the first hit. On the morning of 9/11 I stepped out of the subway around 8:45 AM into the WTC Concourse. The Concourse was a subterranean passageway full of shops and restaurants and normally is full of bustling commuters, but strangely it was full of smoke and empty. At the time I thought there was some kind of construction going on. When I heard someone scream "Get Out!" I went outside to a scene of chaos. Everyone was on the street, debris was flying everywhere, and people were gawking at the fiery tower with people jumping. After some time, I heard a 2nd explosion (the 2nd plane). There was mass panic and people scattered in every direction. I walked home to the East village to safety and followed the events from the radio (1010 WINS) because I did not have a TV. Land/cell phones were not working. I had internet access and was able to tell a few people that I was OK.

Many of my colleagues were actually in the office or by the elevators and everyone shared their version of the events to each other when we got together again, so even if I wasn't on the 51st floor at the time, I am aware of what many of my office mates had gone through and will try to answer questions about that perspective.

Some of my close friends are aware that I had been through this but it's an experience I tend not to share openly. It is a killjoy in light friendly company, and also it's a sensitive topic because I have a lot of lingering emotions from this experience. I had worked in that building for many years and even went pretty regularly to Windows on the World (the bar/restaurant on the top floor).

EDIT elaborated more on walking home from the WTC and the way I feel about it.

EDIT 2 I am going to bed. It's 1:00 EST (GMT -5) and I have to work tomorrow. I have my email ready to send to moderator to get me a star. I will answer more questions tomorrow.