Turkey Day!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

November 24, 2011 I got up at 5:30am along with three other girls in the room to get ready and get down to the parade area. Jacqeline, the Brazilian, and I left a little after 6am and caught a taxi to a couple blocks from the biggest Macy's. Once we got there, we saw all the seating for people with tickets and we talked to some cop who said that the parade didn't even come by that area, but there were performers there. We wanted to see the parade so we walked the 10 blocks up to Times Square. Streets were PACKED and it wasn't even 7am and the parade didn't even pass by this area until 9:30am! They use these fences to corral people.

This face says, "I'm happy to be here but I'm sooo tired."

Around 8am people came by passing out loads of these turkey visors, I look quite dashing.

With the moving of the fences and the corralling of people Jacqueline and I got separated and I got pushed about six people back on the sidewalk. In my new, not as good spot, I made friends with an equally unhappy family. This dad had gotten out on the street at 6am and cops had kept telling him he could move closer to the street. The whole time he was on the front line but with this latest and final rearranging he was six people back like me. He was a little annoyed but his wife was TICKED! Not funny, but a little funny. They were fun to chat with while we waited and waited and waited. They were also super nice to me and we tried to help each other get better positioning and take photos of each other. Weather was unseasonably warm THANK GOODNESS because I was fine until I had been standing in the same place for an hour and then my feet and hands started feeling cold. Even though I was wearing gloves and I was moving my hands like crazy taking photos, they were SOOOOO cold by the time the parade was over around 11:30am. Also because for most of it I was behind people, they are in my shots and also my arms were CRAZY tired because they had been up in the air for 2 hours straight. So let the pictures begin!

The only turkey I got this Thanksgiving

Cee-Lo Green (famous singer) waving at me.

 Seriously, did nobody tell them it was freezing out! Brrrr!

 Then Neil Diamond came by serenading me.

SPIDER MAN!!!

 Mary J. Blige (singer/rapper)

 Then former mayor, Rudy Guiliani gave me a little wave from across the street. Great smile that guy.

 Blow this picture up, I don't have a clue where these girls were from but their outfits were awesome, so many  southern belles.

The acapella group, Straight No Chaser, they have some pretty good stuff.

 Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

 and there he is!

 This was my favorite float and it wasn't just because it had Santa. I loved the row of little homes and the sleigh and reindeer.

 After the parade Jacqueline and I met up and took off to walk Central Park and check out the Natural History Museum. On the way we passed by Rockefeller Center.

 I loved all the Christmas lights and decor all over the city. The sun was out by this time and my hands and feet de-thawed, by the time I got back to the hostel my jacket was too hot for me.

 St. Patrick's Cathedral. I love cathedral's architecture. I can't even imagine the time and effort to create something so intricate and yet so large.

 I have no clue what building this is, but I LOVED the multi-level tree covered roofs.

 Look at this building, covered in wreaths, its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

 A pond in central park, what a pretty view.

 I swear this bridge has been in many a movie.

 I hadn't eaten again in quite a few hours so I bought roasted cashews and almonds at a stand in the park. TASTY!

 Another GORGEOUS view from the park.

The museum, along with many others were closed so Jacqeline and I headed back to the hostel. She was going to a professor's house for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. I had to move rooms. Then I headed back out. I went back to Times Square and wandered around.

 Then I headed to the Empire State Building, on the way I caught this view of the Chrysler building, it was champagne colored from the setting sun.

I also passed by the New York Public Library. I wish it had been open and that I had time to sit inside and read.

 THE Empire State Building.

 I went inside just to find out that there was a two hour wait and I had a show near Times Square in less than two hours. So I wandered back north. Chrysler Building at night.

 Guess who I saw?!?! The Naked Cowboy! He's so famous he has bodyguards now.

 Then I had my Thanksgiving dinner, a new york street vendor hotdog! It was actually quite tasty.

 I rested on these giant red stairs in the middle of Times Square as I ate my hotdog and then headed to my show.

 The stage before the show...

and at intermission. I was in the balcony but it didn't feel too far away, I could still see faces. It was an 8pm show but I was so tired from the long day, that I was definitely grateful for the intermission and the opportunity to get up and move. The lady next to me was also having a hard time staying awake. It was really good and I'm glad I saw it.

 After the show I headed out of the theatre and went to check the time on my phone and I looked and looked and NO PHONE!!! Like I said, it had been a long day, I was tired and very freaked out about not having a phone and being so far from home. I ran back in and a guy took my ticket and went up to check my seat area. I was praying and trying to stop the tears and dumping things out of my bag onto the floor for what seemed like forever. Finally the usher came back... with my phone! I was so relieved but I still cried for a couple blocks until I got myself under control. I headed back to the Empire State Building, its open until 2am. every night, to tour it.

 The view was INCREDIBLE!

 Below is Macys, look at the sidewalks swarming with people in line for the Black Friday shopping. Due to Black Friday, that 2 hour line at the Empire - 1 minute! I walked straight in, took the escalator up, past the maze of ropes and up to the desk. It was weird being in such a big waiting area and being the only one. It was great not waiting in line and not many people on top to deal with either.

Interesting facts about the Empire State Building, at the time it was built (1930-1931) the average death rate was 1 per floor. It is 102 floors high and only 5 died - 2 fell, 1 got hit by the elevator on its way up, the other 2 weren't shared. Also this giant building was built in 16 months, what a feat for the day! I then left and caught the metro back to the Upper East Side. I got back to the hostel around 1:30am. I had been worried about people being crazy loud and up crazy late and I was the one coming in after everyone was asleep but I made sure I was really quiet.