My first New Year outside home, and what a place to celebrate - New York times square. Can't ask for anything better? So did I think before making there.
4.30PM - 10 of us started from NJ in a bus bound towards NYC and boy! I got a preview of what is in store for that night right inside the bus (purinjukonga). People were all set to welcome 2007 with gusto.
5.15 PM - Arrival at NYC. Came outside the port authority station and made our way towards the destination. The place was chaotic to say the least. And it was pretty much like Ranganathan street. So it was easy for us to make our way through the crowd.
6.55PM - Arrival at Times Square.
7PM - The ball was raised atop for the drop at midnight. Mini fireworks accompanied it. That was the moment we realized how much the event was hyped up. It was a small ball supported on a stick like object. We confirmed with NYPD as to that was indeed the ball and when he said yes we heard "aw, crap!" from a guy who had come all the way from Maryland. People who heard the cop say that were very disappointed. We were within 1/2 a mile from the times square so we could spot the ball quite well. But all the expecations created by the hype had already come down with a thud.
It was getting colder and colder and we were considering other options as well. Except for the ambience there was nothing really in store!
So, exit 7th avenue, reach 8th avenue via broadway and enter Papajohns - delicious garlic bread, cheese pizza and soda. Some shopping enroute to the bus station.
11.45 PM - Back home in NJ watching New year celebrations around the world on TV. Syndey was at its glittering best as ever. At last came the ball drop - pathetic! Oru kuchchi-la ball keezha erangithu followed by fire works nothing of the highest quality...
Midnight - Exchange of new year greetings followed by a round of delicious masala tea. Then phone calls to makkal followed by some real good vetti arattai till 3AM before we were off to bed.
We were happy for two reasons at the end - one, for not being out in the cold watching a dumb event and two, for the quality time we got to spend with friends at around midnight and the tea! :-)
4.30PM - 10 of us started from NJ in a bus bound towards NYC and boy! I got a preview of what is in store for that night right inside the bus (purinjukonga). People were all set to welcome 2007 with gusto.
5.15 PM - Arrival at NYC. Came outside the port authority station and made our way towards the destination. The place was chaotic to say the least. And it was pretty much like Ranganathan street. So it was easy for us to make our way through the crowd.
6.55PM - Arrival at Times Square.
7PM - The ball was raised atop for the drop at midnight. Mini fireworks accompanied it. That was the moment we realized how much the event was hyped up. It was a small ball supported on a stick like object. We confirmed with NYPD as to that was indeed the ball and when he said yes we heard "aw, crap!" from a guy who had come all the way from Maryland. People who heard the cop say that were very disappointed. We were within 1/2 a mile from the times square so we could spot the ball quite well. But all the expecations created by the hype had already come down with a thud.
It was getting colder and colder and we were considering other options as well. Except for the ambience there was nothing really in store!
So, exit 7th avenue, reach 8th avenue via broadway and enter Papajohns - delicious garlic bread, cheese pizza and soda. Some shopping enroute to the bus station.
11.45 PM - Back home in NJ watching New year celebrations around the world on TV. Syndey was at its glittering best as ever. At last came the ball drop - pathetic! Oru kuchchi-la ball keezha erangithu followed by fire works nothing of the highest quality...
Midnight - Exchange of new year greetings followed by a round of delicious masala tea. Then phone calls to makkal followed by some real good vetti arattai till 3AM before we were off to bed.
We were happy for two reasons at the end - one, for not being out in the cold watching a dumb event and two, for the quality time we got to spend with friends at around midnight and the tea! :-)
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