You see, we made plans to go to the Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting months ago. So Tuesday after class we dragged our super sore post-Thanksgiving break bodies to Rockefeller for some good ole fashioned Christmas spirit, NYC style. We left right after class, because like everything in New York, you must arrive 3 hours early. for. everything.
5:30 We walk out of the train station to find (of course) hundreds of people. Who can give up their entire Tuesday just to sit in the rain at Rockefeller Center???
5:45 We were shuffled into an area that resembled somewhat of a holding pen, now that I think about it. We had our bags checked and were sent right on in. It wasn't until after we got settled that we realized that we couldn't even see the Christmas tree. We could see a TV screen with the live feed of the concert though! It read: ristmas at ockefeller enter. I guess 3/4 of a TV isn't bad.
6:45 Just as we began to get tired of waiting, we were distracted by a commotion in the holding pen next to us. A fight! Two guys with NYPD Counter Terrorism on their jackets came running. They attempted to jump into the crowd, but clearly there was no room. (What do you think the fight was about?) They had to unhook the holding pen gate, to reach to two guys fighting. They pulled two men out of the crowd and began to handcuff them. One guy was apologizing to his girlfriend and the other just looked embarrassed. They didn't look like terrorists, but thank you NYPD Counter Terrorism Squad for keeping us safe and completely ruining that guy's date.
7:00 Once the show started I actually enjoyed myself. Sure it was a cramped holding pen, but I was with my girls. The performers were great. Boys to Men performed and it made my life. There was a 10 year old girl who absolutely stole the show.
8:00 A group of people from the front decided they had enough and left. In response to their exit, the entire group decided to over compensate for their empty space. Then it all went down hill. The girls got pushed forward. I was pushed to the side, over the side of the pen. Ouch, but maybe everyone will get settled and I can get comfortable again
8:05 Momentary distraction by Mariah Carey singing on stage with little kids dressed as cheerleaders?
8:10 I realized that this is our new permanent spot for the remainder of the evening. I can't even talk to my friends about the awkward Mariah Carey performance.
8:15 Cramping begins and I start to devise an exit plan. I look behind me at the hundreds standing between me and the exit
8:20 Accept defeat.
9:00 Tree is lit, I can see it through the Lego store' s window.
On our way home I finally was able to see the tree. It was beautiful.
moral of the story:
Lighting a Christmas Tree is a family event that should take place in your home, with plenty of elbow room.
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