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I Raved On A Boat at 6:00 AM With The Craziest Crowd of New Yorkers In Startups And It Was Amazing

I Raved On A Boat at 6:00 AM With The Craziest Crowd of New Yorkers In Startups And It Was Amazing

Waking up at 5 am was a struggle, but we successfully dragged ourselves out of bed and started "rave-ifying" ourselves with the requisite gemstones and glitter.

I Raved On A Boat at 6:00 AM With The Craziest Crowd of New Yorkers In Startups And It Was Amazing

It was still pitch-dark outside by the time Melia and I left at 5:30. Our taxi driver was incredulous when we told him what kind of event we were going to.

It was still pitch-dark outside by the time Melia and I left at 5:30. Our taxi driver was incredulous when we told him what kind of event we were going to.

shoes or sad face

The boat started loading from New York City's west side at 6 am, and we realized we were in the right place when we started spotting some crazy costumes.

The boat started loading from New York City

Daybreaker decked out our ship, the "Hornblower Infinity," with its logo and pretty purple lighting.

A Daybreaker rave usually costs $25 for a "land party," but since this one took place on a boat, it was $35.

A Daybreaker rave usually costs $25 for a "land party," but since this one took place on a boat, it was $35.

We snagged some free cold brew coffee and juice. With that, plus the overwhelming brightness of everyone's costumes (and attitudes), we finally started feeling awake.

We snagged some free cold brew coffee and juice. With that, plus the overwhelming brightness of everyone

Good thing, because the dancing started right away.

Good thing, because the dancing started right away.

Even though the party began so early, people went all-out with their costumes.

Even though the party began so early, people went all-out with their costumes.

And everyone was incredibly friendly and excited.

And everyone was incredibly friendly and excited.

"No one drinks, no one does drugs, but everyone leaves so happy!" one woman who had gone to previous parties told us. "It gets you pumped up for the rest of your day!"

"No one drinks, no one does drugs, but everyone leaves so happy!" one woman who had gone to previous parties told us. "It gets you pumped up for the rest of your day!"

The boat had three levels: You could join the main dance floor in front of the DJs, dance and watch the scene from above, or hit the roof outside.

The boat had three levels: You could join the main dance floor in front of the DJs, dance and watch the scene from above, or hit the roof outside.

The music started thumping. "We're gonna wake the day up! The sun ain't even up yet and you're already gonna sweat!" one of the DJs boomed over the speakers. The woman with the bangs is Radha Agrawal, one of Daybreakers founders. The other is her twin sister.

The music started thumping. "We

The floor started filling up. I made my way into the thick of the crowd.

The floor started filling up. I made my way into the thick of the crowd.

Some people clearly came with big groups, but others didn't. The vibe felt incredibly inclusive, because everyone was flashing big smiles as they danced (if they weren't wearing masks, that is).

Some people clearly came with big groups, but others didn

On one side of the dance floor, a group of three sat with type-writers. You gave them a word, and they'd write you a custom haiku.

On one side of the dance floor, a group of three sat with type-writers. You gave them a word, and they

Can you feel the love in this room right now?" the DJ shouted. "This day is a choice, and we choose to be happy!

Can you feel the love in this room right now?" the DJ shouted. "This day is a choice, and we choose to be happy!

Daybreaker also offered food, like these delicious chocolate covered fruits.

Daybreaker also offered food, like these delicious chocolate covered fruits.

One man created several amazing finger paintings near the stage.

One man created several amazing finger paintings near the stage.

As the sun started rising, everyone booked it to the deck.

As the sun started rising, everyone booked it to the deck.

We had the perfect view as the sun sparkled on the water.

We had the perfect view as the sun sparkled on the water.

Our boat drifted by The Statue of Liberty as a live band kept the music going even outside.

Our boat drifted by The Statue of Liberty as a live band kept the music going even outside.

A helicopter flew by to record our party from above.

A helicopter flew by to record our party from above.

Back on the dance floor, things started really heating up.

Back on the dance floor, things started really heating up.

Giant jellyfish bobbed through the crowd.

Giant jellyfish bobbed through the crowd.

The live band followed us back inside, too.

The live band followed us back inside, too.

All the positive energy felt infectious. It was easy to get lost in the combination of frenetic joy and blasting music. Melia showed off her moves.

All the positive energy felt infectious. It was easy to get lost in the combination of frenetic joy and blasting music. Melia showed off her moves.

One Daybreaker enthusiast, Hunter Vurbeff, has gone to every event thrown so far. "The energy, the people, there's just nothing like it," he says. "It's the absolute best way to start your day." Here he is tearing it up.

One Daybreaker enthusiast, Hunter Vurbeff, has gone to every event thrown so far. "The energy, the people, there

Before we knew it, it was nearly 9 a.m.

Before we knew it, it was nearly 9 a.m.

Time to say goodbye to our surreal, early morning wonderland.

Time to say goodbye to our surreal, early morning wonderland.

The DJ instructed everyone to sit down in front of the stage. Slam poet Anis Mojgani recited an amazing poem called "Come Closer."

The DJ instructed everyone to sit down in front of the stage. Slam poet Anis Mojgani recited an amazing poem called "Come Closer."

You can hear it here.

A woman named Elena Brower then led us in meditation, guiding us in reflection on being grateful, compassionate, and kind.

A woman named Elena Brower then led us in meditation, guiding us in reflection on being grateful, compassionate, and kind.

Find Brower here.

"May we remember the sweetness of being together in song and dance this morning. Take that spirit and the love and joy and energy forward into the world and into your life."

"May we remember the sweetness of being together in song and dance this morning. Take that spirit and the love and joy and energy forward into the world and into your life."

After nearly three hours of crazy dancing, we were a little bit sweatier but a lot happier than we expected to be after waking up so early.

After nearly three hours of crazy dancing, we were a little bit sweatier but a lot happier than we expected to be after waking up so early.

As we all filed off the boat, not only did I feel a million times more energized than I usually do on Thursday morning at 9 am, but the positivity, warmth, and energy lasted all day long.

As we all filed off the boat, not only did I feel a million times more energized than I usually do on Thursday morning at 9 am, but the positivity, warmth, and energy lasted all day long.

Now, get your own Halloween inspiration:

Now, get your own Halloween inspiration:

The Most Popular DIY Halloween Costumes This Year, According To Pinterest

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