9/11: From Glasgow to a 'horrific day' in New York
In the last in our series on 11 September 2001, a brother and sister recount their experiences of that day.
Ian Gilmartin, 44, and Lorraine Blevins, 42, moved from Glasgow to the US with their parents Patrick and Elenor in 1982.
On 9/11, Lorraine was at work in the World Trade Center's south tower, while Ian was on a site visit in New Jersey.
Ten years on, Lorraine continues to work for financial firm Morgan Stanley, who was her employer in the WTC.
With her husband John she has two children - Sean, four, and Brooke, two.
Ian worked for a hospital at the time of the attacks and is now a senior sales manager. He and his wife have a one-year-old daughter.
He gives an insight into the anguish of families waiting for news of loved ones caught up in the attack.
LorraineOn the 60th floor of the World Trade Center's south tower Lorraine was talking with a colleague about getting some breakfast.
In a heartbeat, mundane decisions on what to eat turned to taking ones that would determine whether the then 32-year-old would live or die.
Lorraine said: "I remember the moment of impact when the first plane hit the first building and the noise of metal clanking outside of my window.
"I remember making the decision to go to street level and take a look up and make sure everything was okay."
There was an announcement advising staff to stay where they were, but Lorraine and others chose to ignore it.
She bumped into a friend and together they reached the 44th floor when a passenger jet flew into their tower.
The floor beneath their feet rippled with the force of the impact.
Lorraine, her friend and others headed for a stairwell and fled down flights of stairs and made it outside.
She said: "I don't think I will ever forget the hysteria on the streets, running alongside hundreds of people away from the buildings while hundreds of police cars, ambulances and fire trucks were heading towards the towers.
Budget Hotel In Glasgow - News
The Gilmartins moved to a hotel before staying with relatives until power was restored. Ian said: "Before the hurricane we had an earthquake." August's magnitude-5.8 quake was one of the most powerful tremors to hit the US east coast since 1897.
The collision between a Mazda and a Fiat outside The Marriott Hotel on Glasgow Road meant traffic jams at The Gyle roundabout. The crash happened at 11:40. The motorists involved were unhurt. Lothian and Borders Police said traffic problems were being
THE SITE of the former Hotel Seaforth on Dundee Road is up for sale and is being marketed by McManus Property Ltd., from Glasgow. A sign has appeared over the last few days which says that the land in question could have a variety of
The Royal Bank of Scotland has sold the Hilton Glasgow Grosvenor Hotel in a deal worth nearly £10m. The hotel, which is leased to the Hilton Group, has been sold to a private investor. RBS said the move was part of its strategic plan and the sale
In 1978, the hotel was destroyed by fire during a strike by firefighters. It reopened four years later after glass-reinforced concrete was used to recreate the original facade. The 20-storey Hilton Glasgow hotel is on a far larger scale and has been
Redesigning hotel rooms for the 21st century - Mapplr
“Global hotel chain Accor wanted to improve the ease and speed of cleaning its budget hotel rooms. A room that is quick to clean means guests have the option to check in earlier. London-based agency Priestmangoode designed all the furniture in the 12.5 sq m rooms so that it could be attached to the walls. That way, cleaners do not have to clean around chair, table and bed legs. The electrics and services are contained in a central pillar, so there are no pipes showing behind the basin, and no cables under the desk or behind the bed. Crucially, there is no bathroom. The toilet is in one cubicle and the shower in another.”
Accor isn’t the only chain that is redesigning its hotels for the modern era. Other hotel chains such as Aloft and CitizenM started out as thoroughly modern hotels for the tech-savvy traveler. They provide self-check in and have designed their rooms and common areas with contemporary furniture, characterized by free Wi-Fi, iPod docking stations and stylish furniture.
Check out:
Aloft Brussels Schuman: stylish high-tech boutique hotel
Aloft’s stylish high tech hotel concept comes to New York City
citizenM hotel in Glasgow: high tech luxury at a budget price
For me, here are the hallmarks of a 21st century hotel:
(1) Free fast Wi-Fi in the rooms and common areas
(2) Ability to print out boarding passes with minimum hassle
(3) iPod or iPhone docking stations
(4) Mist-free bathroom mirrors (sadly this is common only in Japanese hotels)
(5) Bathtubs are optional. I prefer large shower spaces with very strong high pressure showers.
(6) Light: it shocks me how so many hotels provide poor lighting in guest rooms.
(7) Cozy comfortable sitting areas where guests can hang out or meet people.
(8) Quiet rooms: double glazed windows and well-insulated walls are a must.
Budget Hotel In Glasgow - Bookshelf
In Cold Blood
With the publication of this book, Capote permanently ripped through the barrier separating crime reportage from serious literature.In defense of food, an eater's manifesto [additional copies -- 2]
Cites the reasons why people have become so confused about their dietary choices and discusses the importance of enjoyable moderate eating of mostly traditional ...Democracy in America
Among the novel objects that attracted my attention during my stay in the United States, nothing struck me more forcibly than the general equality of ...A Wrinkle in Time
Meg Murry and her friends become involved with unearthly strangers and a search for Meg's father, who has disappeared while engaged in secret work for the ...Democracy in America
A French aristocrat's account of the ways in which democratic ideals were applied in America during the nineteenth century.Everyday Info Directory
Budget Hotels Glasgow - budget hotels in glasgow ...
At Budget Hotels Glasgow we have the latest rates and special offers for some of the top hotels in Glasgow. Browse our special offers to find the ...
Cheap Hotel Rooms Budget Hotels in Glasgow - Queens Park Hotel
Budget Hotel in Glasgow offering single and double rooms with good weekend rates for the traveller.
citizenM hotel Glasgow
citizenM Glasgow is an affordable luxury hotel in the city centre of Glasgow, Scotland, providing budget accommodations and on-site dining. This trendy hotel is ...
Cheap Glasgow Hotels | Hostels | Apartments | Bed and ...
You won't miss out on great music and budget lodging in Glasgow if you make your move with our budget hotels, hostels, apartments and B&B. ...
Bed and Breakfast Glasgow,Hotel,Guest House,City Center, West ...
Lomond Hotel is well located in the West End of Glasgow which is also near the Glasgow University, the famous Ashton Lane, the City Centre, SECC and well connected to ...