Christopher (left) and Nico inside New York City MTA Red Line 1 Broadway - 7 Avenue Local
January 26, 2016
Read Part I Here: Home » New Year's Eve: New York Time Square, Part I
Since I decided not to go to Times Square on New Year's Eve, my backup plan was to walk the Brooklyn Bridge. When I Googled "Things to do in New York City on New Year's Eve," I read that fireworks from the surrounding area could be seen, which was amazing!
It was interesting that we could walk across the top of that bridge. Grab a beer or some wine. Who knows?
While sitting at O'Hara's Restaurant and Pub, my attention was drawn to a shouting man behind me.
"Yes, Time Square baby," the well-dressed man said to the three other people at his table. "I just got a room at the Marriott for $500. Now I can say I once saw the ball drop in Time Square."
His comment added fuel to my deep desire to travel those four miles to see that damn ball drop-in Time Square! I kept telling myself that it was a short subway ride or walk to satisfy my urge and extinguish this feeling from my mind with this darn obsession. This lack of decision-making is killing me. My companion saw the burning desire in my eyes to forgo the romantic evening of wine, candles, and unruly kids who would fight me on that walk. She noticed that there was a Mission Impossible brewing. Keep two kids calm as we waited among millions to see 2016 in the heart of Manhattan.
We left the restaurant and started to walk towards the Brooklyn Bridge. "Go, Chris, just do it," the inner conscience said. The area was dead. A ghost town-like atmosphere. A lone NYPD Officer was walking towards us.
"Hey, Officer, Times Square with the kids would be insane, right?" I said.
"Hell ya, man, I patrol this city, and I wouldn't even go!" he said in his New York accent. "Stick to the bridge."
That's it, problem solved. Going to the bridge. There is nothing to see in Time Square besides a few million people, confetti, celebrations, and music, eh? Who needs it. When my boys are older, I will satisfy this urge. I finally settled the dispute, but, as luck would have it, we found ourselves at the entrance to subway train tunnel number 1. Which goes from Brooklyn to uptown Manhattan. We'd pass right under Time Square. Damn, the 4-mile trip was meant to be!
I looked at the red sign with the numeral 1 in the center.
"It's New Year's Eve in New York City! Do you want to spend the holiday walking on a bridge?" I said out loud with the same spirit of a football coach who was cheering on his beleaguered team!
"No!" a homeless man shouted.
He stood up from his sleeping spot and wandered over to us.
"That's right," I said,
"We want to have the experience of a lifetime. This is New York. Dreams happen here!"
"Not really," the homeless man said.
"That's why we are going to walk down those very steps. Get on that train! We are going to ride that steal monster to mid-town, and we are going to celebrate with New Yorkers and tourists from all over the globe. Are you with me!"
"Well, I got a nice spot to sleep tonight with the crowd in this area gone. The morons going to mid-town to see gosh darn ball fall and all." He said.
"Time Square! New Year's Eve! Let's go!" I shouted again.
"Are you crazy? Tonight?" Our homeless friend asked.
My companion and kids nodded their heads in agreement.
"I can't hear you! Are you with me!
"Yes."
"Sure."
"Okay."
They replied.
"Well, I'm not going, but can I have a dollar?" the homeless man asked.
"I really need enthusiasm out of you."
"Can I have a dollar!" He joyfully asked.
"Yes," my family said in unison with lots of vigor.
We turned to walk down the stairs.
"Mister. How about that dollar?"
"Here's a 5," I said to the homeless man, extending the bill straight from my hand.
I bought a Subway Metro Card; the timing was perfect because the train was there waiting to help us on our 4-mile journey into our possible bucket list moment.
New York! Tons of people. Lots of naysayers! A man on a mission. What could possibly go wrong?
716 words
Captain, Nico (left) and Christopher aboard the Intrepid Museum
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