Hank Watches The Sunset with Strangers

 

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: I was in New York last week teaching a Master Class at Thrillerfest - 8 solid hours with 11 fabulous students, and I give them big props for listening to me talk all of that time! As a result, my voice is pretty much gone, but it was all worth it. I also taught the next day at Craftfest, also completely wonderful and fantastic to see everyone. But that's not what today's blog is about.

When I first got to my hotel room on Monday, and organized myself as I always do, I turned on the TV. And on the news they were saying that that very day, that very Monday, in about 5 hours, was going to be Manhattanhenge.

You know Manhattanhenge? When the sun set lines up perfectly with the parallel east-west streets of the grid of Manhattan, and as a result the sun is centered between the buildings, and that …well, it's really cool.

I thought oh, I wish I could see that.

Then I thought well, maybe I could see that!

So I did a little checking--actually, what I did was go down to the bar and ask the bartender whether there was a good place nearby to see Manhattanhenge. And she said yes, indeed, there was, just walk up some blocks to 57th St. and that would be perfect. Sounded good to me.

Feeling very adventurous I got myself together, and headed out to see Manhattanhenge.

I left my room at about 7:45, knowing that the henge would was set for 8:13. Plenty of time. And as I was walking toward my destination, I noticed people and cameras gathering on every corner! By the time I got to W 57th, it was absolutely crowded, and it was hilarious.

I mean, there were people from absolutely every walk of life in the universe, I cannot begin to describe it. Lining up and sitting on each other's shoulders, and happily jostling for space, absolutely all in it for the same reason, on a glorious glorious day in Manhattan, all waiting to see Manhattanhenge.

Can I tell you again, how completely full of humanity this moment was? People were laughing and holding their children up, lifting their cell phones on long arms or selfie sticks, completely congenial and completely convivial, friends and strangers and this incredible cross section of businessmen and hip-looking millennials, in jeans and business suits and little sundresses, artistic types and little kids, everyone.

And the sunset was gorgeous, all that it had been promised, and I tried to get photos of it, see? And I got some videos of the clamor and commotion and laughter, and it was great. I know you can hear in my voice that it was just...fabulous.






At some point, when it got right up to 8:13, at the peak of Manhattanhenge, most of us just sort of said... whatever, and just went right out into the street for a better view.






(As you can see, it's difficult to get a good photo because of exposure things, but you get the idea.)

So now we have people laughing, and music playing, somehow, and horns from angry or annoyed or frustrated motorists honking, yelling--and I know you can imagine it - get out of the effing way! And everyone's like, it's Manhattanhenge! We're getting photos!

And no one really seemed to care.

Reds and readers, it was such a great moment, unforgettable, and I'm so glad I ventured out into the unknown.

I’d had a moment earlier, in my hotel room, when I thought oh, no, you don't need to go, it's fine, it's probably nothing. And I’d told myself-- don't be ridiculous! You'll be so sad if you don't go.

And I was right. I had a wonderful time in New York, and saw so many old friends and met so many new friends and had an inspirational and educational and marvelous time, but I must say those few moments on the streets of New York, watching the sunset with strangers was right up there with life changing.


Reds and readers, have you ever had an event like that? And have you seen Manhattanhenge?