New York City can be full of the strange and volatile at times. Yet I think yesterday took the cake…I attended a pillow fight yesterday in New York City – it was a battle of massive proportions and millions of feathers. In the middle of Union Square on a Saturday afternoon, the warriors showed up with their pillows of all shapes and sizes. They came from bridges and tunnels, from subways, and in strollers – they poured into the square. Some were New Yorkers trying to get out some aggressions that had built up all week, some were kids that were just thrilled that their parents finally let them have a pillow fight, some were teenagers that felt like it was a better option than going to the mall and cruising, and I believe some were from Bear Stearns workers and investors…trying to heal the wounds and stress that the volatile markets had dished upon them this last week.
Whatever the reason – they came in droves – pouring off the subway armed with pillows. All shapes and sizes were represented – Spider Man, standard white, 500 count, hospital pillows, chair cushions, a fish pillow, neck pillows, and one person even brought a futon pad. A number of people even wore their pajamas to make it more authentic. There were also safety precautions that people took – I saw many people with swim goggles on to protect their eyes and hard hats and bike helmets to protect their heads.
I had decided to participate through my lens – yet I must admit – I feel like sometimes I miss out on things when I simply take pictures – and this was one of those times. Granted, I don’t think my little baby size pillow that has been with me from birth would have made much of an impact in this battle – it was better left at home. Regardless – I was armed with my camera and a copy of the rulebook that said – you cannot hit anyone with a camera! I arrived 10 minutes early as the leader of the battle was getting everyone riled up. He was dressed as Mel Gibson in Braveheart – a younger version with shorter hair. He was on a tower conducting the emotions of the 300+ crowd – encouraging his troops, readying them for battle.
At 3PM – a whistle sounded and chaos ensued! Screaming, laughing, swinging – people everywhere turned into pillow fighting maniacs! Pretty soon the feathers started to fill the Manhattan skies as if it were a spring snow storm. Some warriors got on shoulders and tried to battle from above the crowds. This was sometimes successful, and sometime it ended in bitter defeat. Kids came streaming into the battle ground with their parents – even youngsters that could barely walk participated in any way they could!
The battles moved into the streets at times, as tourists and locals stared in amazement. The aftermath was a park covered in feathers – no to mention me covered in feathers. I kept thinking that some young entrepreneur should have sat around and sold lint brushes for the post battle clean up. Whatever the reason for fighting – it accomplished a very important goals – FUN…a remembrance of what it is like to be young, silly, and carefree. Something that New Yorkers desperately need these days…including this New Yorker.
