GACKT Official Blog update. Translation below:

I headed to the gym to start the morning with training.
As usual, I’m alone in the spacious gym.
It really is rare to meet anyone in the hotel’s gym.
Well, I suppose it depends on the time zone too.

I trained for about an hour then changed my clothes.
I went to the cafe next door and had tea as I finished my work.
My work was finished in a few hour, and I sat there watching passers-by for awhile.

My plan for the day has, anyway, not been decided, but
it suddenly crossed my mind.

『Alright, let’s go to the World Trade Center…』

I got into the car with a pleasant mood.

Originally,
I intended to pay my respects before leaving New York,
but for some reason, I couldn’t put my feelings in the right place.

The weather today good too.
I decided to take my time heading over.

As the car moved, I looked at the scenery through the windows for awhile.
Originally, in the past, you’re supposedly able to see the World Trade Center from here…
The thought crossed my mind as I headed to the site.

It’s been 16 years since that day, and I don’t know how much it has changed.
Honestly, I can’t even imagine what it’s become.

Cars can’t go into the area near it.
As I can’t go any further, I alighted and started walking.

As I walked, something that looked like a monument, that I’ve never seen before, appeared.
Just what is this… I wondered, and went closer.
I couldn’t quite tell, so I decided to leave it for later.

Next to it was the new World Trade Center that was being constructed.
It’s started to look like it’s almost complete but I suppose it will need more time.

There were smaller paths, and went I went through,
I finally arrived at the site of the World Trade Center.
What unfolded before me was
a huge monument that had a huge gaping hole on the site.
Water flows towards the centre and goes down.
It’s as if it cleanses the soul.

On the outer perimeter of it, the names of those who perished were engraved.

When I visited back then 16 years ago,
smoke still rose from the rubble
even though it was already 2 months after 911 happened.
The local staff said

『The fire is still smouldering, and hasn’t been put out…』

that’s what I remembered.
That scene still burns in the back of my mind.
My body shook from the ferocious reality
that if there was a war, such sights would be everywhere.

This goes without saying but
now, of course, such sights don’t remain.

As I felt the splendour of human potential from how I can be looking
at this same place and see it change so much in 16 years,
I touched the stone with my fingers, knowing that we must never forget that tragedy.

After paying my respects for awhile,
I decided to go have a look at the building which looked like a monument.
Since it has something that looks like a door on the outside, I should be able to enter.

The door was unexpectedly narrow…
What on earth… I thought as I went in for a look.

I was surprised by the vast space that couldn’t be imagined from the outside.
Just what is this… I wondered, as my jaw naturally dropped.

Anyway, it’s vast.
The structure was unusual too but I was completely at a loss for words
at the overwhelming size and scale of the structure.

America is an amazing country.
It’s as if it’s showing off it’s existence to the world with restoration.
Anyway, it’s amazing…

On the way back, the scenery from the car somehow looks lonely.
No, it should be because I’m thinking of it as lonely.

I’ll slowly go for tea.

May the world be peaceful.

Source: GACKT Blog

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

Translation © GACKT ITALIA