NYE in NYC !!!
We did it, and we survived.
Leanne, Julie and I flew down to New York City for New Years at Times Square ! We wanted to make sure we had a good spot for this once in a lifetime experience, so we arrived at Times Square at 2:30 pm. The streets weren't blocked off yet, but there were so many people on the sidewalk that the crowd had a mind of its own. You went where the crowd wanted, period.
We had a huge feast at Virgils BBQ house then took up our spot at 44th and Broadway just after 4:00. They had just blocked the streets and were setting the pens up. By 5:00 you couldn't get in to Times Square anymore. If you weren't already there, you were watching WAY down the road.
The first hour was the longest, and the second was even longer. It rained, it snowed, it rained some more. Around the freezing mark and now we were all wet. They raised the itty bitty little ball to the top of the pole at 6:00, and then finally the wait began. Every once in a while there would be live band rehersals, Regis talking and singing, and lots of free swag handouts. Every hour we did a video update on Julie's camera. Maybe I'll figure out some way to get those online.
No one in Times Square was actually from New York. No one we met in New York had ever been to Times Square for New Years. Everyone around was very nice though. Even though we were packed, everyone was happy and dancing and singing and taking pictures.
I was surprised by how little they catered to the crowd there. The "show" was only for TV, and we were "extras". The stage for the musical guests was stories above the ground so that no one could see. We had a decent view of the screens showing the bands, but most didn't. There were large breaks of nothing, and some "announced" guests like the Donald didn't even appear (although I assume he did on TV). The show wasn't for those on site, until the last 20 seconds that is.
They'd count off each hour and yell Happy New Year to someone somewhere in the world, starting at 9:00. Each one got bigger, but for midnight, the entire crowd was shouting, the screens flashing, 3, 2, 1, HAPPY NEW YEAR! One Ton of confetti was dropped from the buildings above. Never have I seen such as site. It was amazing. Best part of the experience.
From there we visited New York. All was good. I could go on, but I should really go work on pictures. I have much to do.
A special Thank-you to Gerrit Stoffer who let us stay at his place even though he was out of town. There really is no way to thank-you. We owe ya big time.
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