31st Dec 10 New York City New Years Eve

Temp: -3 C Overcast, skies clearing

New Years Eve. We headed off in the morning to the North West corner of 50th and 7th avenues for the tour bus. With the crowds expected we left the hotel at 0900 and it really only took five to ten minutes to go the seven or so blocks. Stopped at a cafe on the corner for some breakfast and to pick up some bottles of water. The bus tour was quite good. 5 hours with plenty of stops to get out and walk and a ferry ride around the Statue of Liberty. The bus took us around Broadway, through the restaurant alley, providing background of Hell's Kitchen, Central park, Wall street, Lower Manhatten, NoHo, SoHo and more...
Took in the sites of the Dakota Hotel, Strawberry fields memorial garden, Madison Square Gardens, Empire State building and many other of the significant buildings of New York City. Passed through Canal St, past Houston (pronounce Howsten), Little Italy and Chinatown, and Greenwich Village.
Stopped at Pier 17 for lunch, and area reknown for trinkets and things presumably built up for the tourist trade. Here we caught the ferry to the Statue of Liberty, taking in the sights of Manhattan, the site of the World Trade Centre, Ellis Island and New Jersey.
On returning to shore the bus continued through to the New York Stock exchange, and the World financial centre seeing the remaining foundations of the twin tours and the new construction going up in the area.
Returning back to Midtown we were dropped off just past where we were picked up from. The roads in the area started to close at 1300 hrs and the traffic was now becoming hectic in preparation for tonight. We disembarked about 1530 and began the slow, but steady walk back to the Hotel.
At about 1630 it was time to head to Times square to get a standing position. We took a right from the hotel door and walked along 43rd to Times Square. At Times Square we chatted to one of the 2000 NYPD gathering about the area. He suggested going back to 8th avenue and heading towards 46th and 47th as those roads were open. Of we went. 46th was shut and as we got to 47th I overheard one of the police saying that 52nd was still open. So we trudged on further partially swept along by the growing crowds. 52nd was open and we grabbed our opportunity. Heading back to 7th avenue we turned south following the crowds back towards times square. This was the crown control plan; Shut the access streets to the side, directing people back up into 7th street towards Times Square. In this way people were corralled into sections after being searched and scanned by wands similar to thise used at airports. As each area filled they were closed off and the next section opened. Back packs and large bags were not allowed, jackets had to be opened with pockets emptied for access. Those with bags could leave them in presumably secure areas nearby. Thankfully we chose to travel light, and I only brought along the HD video camera. Shuffling through this was reasonably pain free, and in reality was welcome as we still had 7 hours of waiting to go until midnight.  Once through the check point we went back up towards Times Square finally settling in a spot close to 49th street. A mere 6 blocks from Times Square and from our Hotel. Still, the tower was easily seen. By 1800 hrs the crowds were well established with bodies continually pressing against one other for position. Many trying to move a few metres forward but realising the futility as the view wasn't any better. The transverse streets were kept clear for emergency egress or access, and throughout the night people trying to get from one side to the other were escorted by police for security and to prevent jumping the queue. At the hour of 1800 fireworks went off and a large electronic display indicated 6 hours left. The crystal ball was raised and at this point people around began to question what they were doing here. Some left, and certainly throughout the remaining time many considered the standing too much. We thought about going elsewhere ourselves as we couldn't hear the entertainment which only lasted a few short minutes in between each hour. Thankfully someone brought along some beach balls and this left the crowds entertained at times for the drawing hours.
At this point the harsh realisation of how pathetic waiting to watch a 12 foot diametre, 12,000 pound Waterford Crystal ball, lit up with LEDs decend really was. With no entertainment to speak of this began a serious trial of patience, strength and fortitude. By the 3 hour to go one really had to wander why people go through this. Still more people left and so the spaces began to open. Still hadn't had dinner at this time, however we managed to pick up some chairs from a passerby for $20 USD. After eating the pizza contents we found with surprise how comfortable corrugated pizza cardboard really is on icy wet bitumen. Things weren't all bad, and with two hours to go we made friends with an American, his French girlfriend, a fellow from Bejing now working in LA, a Croatian and a Columbian. Last two being nannies working in New York. Pizza and coffee delivery people paraded up and down the pavement either side of the barracaded sections. By this time people were paying anything for sustenance and seating. Anything they couldnt finish they would offer to any strangers nearby. The silly ones passed off their boxes as well.
With one hour to go someone released hundreds of white and black balloons near our area. Not sure where they came from but there was much cheering as they became caught in wires, balconies and signs as they ascended into the icy heavens. Actually the temperature wasn't too bad. It remained at 3 degrees C for the night until about 1145 when it dropped to 2 degrees C. There were clear skies and a slight breeze. You could feel the cold under foot though. After nearly 7 hours of waiting I learned the trained ran in the subway every 10 minutes. This was identified by the rumble and tremors underfoot. I also discovered the 7th and 49th intersection traffic lights remain red for 45 seconds, amber for 4 seconds and green for 40 seconds. The red remains on in both directions for one second. The beach balls continued bouncing above. Occasionally they would drop to the slush in the gutters only to spray people as they were sent aloft once again. Really you just couldn't think about what was in that water.
At 1130 the last train bellowed underground. And although I was convinced time had stopped, by now the last 30 minutes went quickly. 30 seconds to go and the countdown started. The ball dropped, and amongst 1.3 million people screaming in joy, the boistrous "Happy New Years", fireworks, raining confetti, and immense sighs of relief we bade our farewells to new found friends and headed for the exits. By 0030 we were back at the Hotel, our passes proving useful getting access to the hotel street.  The girls went to bed straigth away and Kylie and I went to the Hotel bar for a New Years drink. After the party was sober it was needed. In hindsight, including the general concensus of others in Times Square the event really wasn't all that it was cracked up to be. For entertainment value, comfort, and beautiful scenery you really cannot go past Sydney harbour on New Years - and they celebrate it a day earlier. Still, it was something checked off the list of have to do's.