I waited 33 years for my first time! Off my Bucket List.

I moved to California 33 years ago.

This is the first time I've ever experinced it.

First I was too young.

Then it was too dangerous.

Then I had children who wouldn't be patient

Yet finally yesterday, on a fluke it happened.

As I sat in the Apple Store in Downtown San Francisco watching an Etsy presentation. The lady who sat next to me said, "WOW it's getting CRAZY out there. Everyone is here for the parade."

"Parade, what parade?"

"The Chinese New Year Parade!"

What that is today? Yep 5:30 on Geary in front of Macy's.

Are you kidding me, I've always wanted to come see this parade. It used to take place on Grant Street in the middle of Chinatown. Grant is a very narrow street, firecrackers would be thrown from one side of the street to the other. (Hence unsafe) The event has become so popular that the parade was moved to 3 of 4 sides of Union Square.

The stars aligned. I heard about the parade, I had no other plans, my husband got a CAB and joined me downtown.

We stood from 4:15 - 7:45. The parade got to us at 5:30 and here is a video of the end of the parade at 7:50.

** ***

Yes, those are PACKETS of fire crackers, that shot out and hit those of standing in the front. Last is the GREAT DRAGON. This is the Year of the Dragon, looks like it's going to be lucky for me.

Check that off my bucket list.