Did you take photos on New Years Eve?

I like to go to New York City on New Year's Eve.   Not for the traditional reason that most folks go, to see the ball drop; I go to observe the hustle and bustle of the crowds, walk around and see the seasonal excitement, and to take some pictures.   We go into the city in the afternoon, walk around, eat an early dinner somewhere where we can people watch (ask for a table at the window so you can do the same), walk some more, and then celebrate the new year comfortably from home. 

This year we took the NJ Transit from Secaucus Station in New Jersey (if you are not from the NY area, this is about a ten minute train ride to Penn Station in  midtown Manhatten), arriving in NY around 3:30pm.

The first thing you notice in the city on New Years Eve are the overwhelming presence of the police.  They are getting organized, setting up barricades, keeping certain streets cleared, and managing the crowds.

Donna had her Nikon DSLR and I took my new small Sony point and shoot.  We walked north along seventh avenue to around 58th street, then across to fifth avenue, and then south to Bryant park.  Along the way we passed near Rockefeller Center, all decked out for the 80th anniversary of the Rockets and the Christmas show.

We saw Fox Business reporter Lauren Simonetti setting up near Radio City for her reports during the day.  She was on the block to provide the proper angle to view the background!  She reported from Times Square earlier in the day about the ball.

Along the way, the streets were decorated with Christmas balls, tin soldiers, Christmas lights, and even cookie monster!

And then there were the hats, found on the street tables, and they came in all sizes and shapes.  The only commonality was the New Years Eve theme.  And they were not limited to the tables, but were also seen on the people walking through town ... all there to celebrate the arrival of the new year.

And we were not the only ones with cameras ... some took pictures of themselves!

 And some posed as we took pictures of them!

After walking through midtown, and down 5th avenue, we caught the subway to Greenwich Village and ate at a pleasant little place calledChez Jacqueline using a Groupon.  What a great deal!  For $69, we got a three course dinner for two and a bottle of Merlot.  I recommend both the restaurant and the Groupon!