So our plan did not work, but we could not have planned what happened any better!
We got to Applebee's at about 7:15 with the intent of staying there until close to midnight. Well, after talking with our waiter and watching other groups, it became clear that we would not be able to stay that long. So what to do, what to do? And people were piling in to the restaurant from outside who had to go to the bathroom. So, we had a long, leisurely dinner looking out the windows and watching the TV, but from where we were, we could not see the ball. Bummer. We decided to leave about 9:30 and take our chances on the streets. We actually got outside at about 10:00, after all of us made bathroom stops.
So here's the deal with the ball. You can see the ball if you are on 7th Avenue, north of Times Square, for many blocks. The cross street is 42nd or 43rd. So, our Applebee's was on 50th, between 7th Ave and Broadway. For us to see the ball, we would have to get onto 7th Ave. Hmmm. That did not look possible, because 50th was barricaded just before 7th Ave. Standing at the barricades, we could not see down 7th Ave to see the ball. What to do, what to do?
Well, we met the nicest family from Ottawa outside the Applebee's who were trying to do the same thing we were. We talked and talked, and nobody was making us move, so we decided to just stay there until close to midnight and see what might happen. About 11:30, Cindy (the mom from Ottawa) worked her way to the front of the barricade on 50th and started talking with the NYPD officers. We moved that way after a little while, and through the kindness of the officers' hearts and some flirting by Cindy and Carolyn, they let us past the barricade onto 7th Ave at about 11:50pm where we could see everything perfectly! It was amazing! After all of that, we were only 7 blocks north of the ball. And, remember, these blocks are very short. It was so cool! Here are some shots:
From left: Cindy, one of the Ottawa daughters, unknown girl, unknown girl, one of the nice officers, Carolyn, Meg (the other Ottawa daughter), and Robert as we got onto 7th Ave.
We're so happy!
Looking towards Times Square - the ball is the bright speck above the traffic sign on the left (it was closer than it looks in the picture)
Looking back towards the Applebee's and the barricade that they let us past
Almost time!
Fireworks and confetti over Times Square at midnight!
Happy New Year!
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1 comment:
Happy New Year! Glad it worked out for you guys.
From the likes of these blog posts it sounds like you've had an incredible time. I've lived vicariously through your words and pictures for the last week which has been a real treat for me as well. Thank you.
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