"I'm ready to move out in front"

"I wanna feel my heart coming alive again
 Before the parade passes by... " 

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Dino-Decorations at the Museum of
Natural History near parade start

The idea arose on our way back from the July 4th celebration. After all, that had gone off very well. Our CES coordinator Stan Kauffman  and his wife Shirley had graciously escorted us to the fireworks display, and maybe we were ready for the big-time. Stan said that he had received good tips on schedules and viewing locations for The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I looked over to check with Stefanie and saw that she was talking to Shirley and probably had not heard our discussion. So I turned back to Stan, "Sounds great. We're in!"

Because Thanksgiving dinner would follow the parade, and an early start was needed, we planned a two day outing. The Kauffman's invited us to spend Wednesday night in their Queens pad. They also invited friends from New Haven, Connecticut, Stan's CES counterpart at Yale, and a church chaplain. Like the Kauffmans, they are a couple with many interesting stories and ideas to share.

A popular part of the parade experience is attending the "inflation of the balloons." Sort of like Pamplona's prequel "Running of the bulls," but slower. If the winds are not too high, they are filled the evening before. It was raining on our arrival. The temperature was in the 20's, the winds were under their threshold, so the balloons were out and about.

The Amazing Spiderman - Most popular character in the queue 

We went cross-town for meatballs and then back to the Kauffman's for desert and late games.

Thanksgiving morning. 

Wind-chill forecast in the teens. We arose early, bundled up and headed back in to Manhattan.

Our spot was Avenue of the Americas and 57th. We tried to cross west for a better view, but were stopped by spectator density about 20 feet from the curb. We settled in. The parade lasts about three hours, but our plan was was and earlier exit. I had a decent angle on the balloons, floats and even the bands, but they wouldn't be arriving for another hour. We had no illusions. The best view was on the flat screen back home. This was cultural ambiance. It was all around us.

An early awareness: It is much warmer in this press of bodies.

View from my post - not bad 

We could hear increasing sound and vibrations from the north. The flux of anticipation, elation on faces. The children across the street. I strained to see around the corner.

My attention shifts gradually. I hear them at some distance. Late arrivals.  "Excuse me, excuse me, I need to get past. Excuse me, we're trying to get to the front. We cant see back here. Could you move please, we need to get forward." Phalanxes of two or three, pushing - probing. A bump on one side. I here cheers from the street. Hey, isn't that, that singer, what's her name? A shove on the other side. There's Spiderman. I try to bring my camera up. Some of my neighbors gently resist. Some are less gentle. Proximity's shrink. I see Stefanie drifting upstream. Looking behind, the crowd is 200 bodies deep. Usurper's persistence is rewarded. I think, "that's right, I chose to be back here because I prefer mediocre views. If you are one of those that prefer good views, you need to be at the front. That's where the best views are . . . you're welcome."

There are two parades.
The sidewalk promenade has become more interesting.

Cold and tired, we retreated, trading parade stories on the train home. Thanksgiving dinner was excellent. Stan shared a story from the life of B.H.Roberts and the Thanksgiving Psalm which led to further discussion and insights on the meaning of gratitude.

So, what's next?

New Years Eve?   Fashion Week?   The Marathon?

I think we're done for now.