Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting

The week after Thanksgiving, we braved the crowds and went to the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting. We did not want to spend much time waiting outside, so we planned on showing up a little after 8:00 p.m. (lighting time was supposedly around 9:00 p.m.). Once we got off the subway and into the Rockefeller Center area, we realized that we probably should have arrived at about 5:00 p.m.! We were re-routed by the police/barricades numerous times and smooshed against people around us. After waiting in a huddle near an area of sidewalk that was open (but barricaded off, for some unknown reason), the police finally allowed us to flood into the section directly across the street from the tree. Bryan and I got separated in the craziness, but we were both able to see the lighting when it happened. When the tree lit up, you could hear oooo's and ahhh's all around. When the lighting was over, everyone wanted to get out of there within 3 seconds (of course), and a cat fight broke out nearby. Sounds about right!

Despite the chaos before and after the lighting, we had a good time. It was a true New York experience, I guess: lots of people, lots of pushing, lots of police, and lots of fun.