When I left Hawaii for the Mainland, it became a tradition for me to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade because it was one of the few things for me that made it feel like a holiday on a day that was often spent alone. Sure I’d always end up having turkey somewhere that night, but Thanksgiving morning was usually spent alone.
When I moved to New York 4 years ago, it never dawned on me to go down and watch the parade live. I’m not sure why. Part of me didn’t want to fight the crowds, and part of me knew that I would probably get a better view of the whole thing on TV, warm in my house.
I found a group, the New York Social Network (NYSN) online offering drinks, dinner, and a tour of the balloons being inflated all for $10. Knowing full well it would be full of straight sorority girls and straight boys on the make for sorority girls, I signed Herbelicioius and myself up. I just wanted to see the balloons and if this group could get me closer, so be it.
The night before Thanksgiving, Herbelicious and I dressed like 2 straight preppy college boys, hopped on the train at 6PM and headed to the restaurant where NYSN was meeting. We were supposed to meet at 6:30PM on 80th Street. When we got out of the 81st Street stop at 6:45PM (smack between the 2 streets were the balloons were 76th and 81st), we were not prepared for the hoards and hoards of people blocking the streets viewing the balloons being inflated. There was no way we were going to make it through this crowd to 80th on time, so Heberlicious and I decided to just view the balloons on our own. Anyway, we didn’t want to deal with sorority girls and the boys who would be mad at us because the sorority girls would be all about the gay boys.
The sight of the balloons being inflated was AMAZING! I have never seen anything like it. Giant balloons of familiar characters held down like prisoners by huge nets. The guardrails were literally only 10 feet away from the balloons. We didn’t need a tour, we were already up close!
Shrek....
We also saw the NYSN group with a sign. Walking around. Sure enough, preppy sorority girls and horny boys. It is exactly my crazy luck that we were late and able to avoid them.
Herbelicious and I realized that by being in line at the crosswalk, we were in front of the crowds ON the sidewalk and had a better view. If only we could stay there. NYPD kept pushing us to cross. And that is when Herbelicous and I realized that if we kept crossing the street, we would always be in front!! And that is what we did.
When Horton came down, we were literally right under him!
Shrek
Beethoven
spongebob
A pirate and pirate ship
And finally Santa Clause which signaled the end of the parade and the start of Christmas.
But where was the rest? The Smurf, and Hello Kitty. We realized that we had missed the first half of the parade. But it was fine, I was cold, and I wanted coffee. Which is exactly what we did since nothing else was open anyway. Being at the parade is amazing. You can feel the excitement in the air, and nothing can prepare you for the sight of a GIANT balloon flying right above. All of the emotions running through me could never be felt by just watching it on TV. I think this will be my new tradition.
Shrek
Beethoven
spongebob
And finally Santa Clause which signaled the end of the parade and the start of Christmas.
But where was the rest? The Smurf, and Hello Kitty. We realized that we had missed the first half of the parade. But it was fine, I was cold, and I wanted coffee. Which is exactly what we did since nothing else was open anyway. Being at the parade is amazing. You can feel the excitement in the air, and nothing can prepare you for the sight of a GIANT balloon flying right above. All of the emotions running through me could never be felt by just watching it on TV. I think this will be my new tradition.
Learn Spanish: Desfile Parade
Globo Balloon
el dia de Accion De Gracias Thanksgiving
3 comments:
It was a great thanksgiving eve and day! We had a great time and while it was cold it wasn't the usual bitter cold it has been in the past so that made a huge difference! This thanksgiving made me realize that there is a lot to be thankful for and having a bud like Will is a perfect example of that!
I think Spongebob was looking at Kermit's ass. I was looking at the stripper's ass... and uh...
Seriously though, great blog, and excellent pictures! Glad you had a good time. I bet it's amazing to be up close and personal to the balloons!
This blog is sooooo BAD ASS! I can't imagine in my wildest dreams what it must feel like to stand near those GINORMOUS balloons! I remember watching the parade eeeeeeeearly the morning while mom and dad slayed away in the kitchen getting ready for the turkey day lunch...good times and glad to hear you FINALLY made it!!!
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