Not even the rain prevented crowds from arriving in Times Square, in New York, hours before the party started. At 11 am, the queue to pass through the police checkpoint and enter the area reserved for the show was already kilometric.
This is the first time since 2020 that the party has taken place without restrictions because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, the expectation is of a huge celebration. But anyone who wants to spend New York’s New Year’s Eve has to be willing to face a series of obstacles – the famous perrengues.
In order not to be left out, it is necessary to arrive early, as there is maximum capacity in space. And keep a place; therefore, people spend hours on their feet. For security reasons, it is not possible to enter with objects such as an umbrella – and on this rainy December 31st in New York, having an umbrella makes all the difference. Also, the stores are closed and there are no restrooms.
A tourist who came from the Philippines to spend New Year’s Eve confessed that he adopted a somewhat unusual tactic. “I’m wearing a diaper”, he answered me, right away. “I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but I am. It’s the only way ”, he completed, embarrassed.
But he was sure the difficulties would be worth it. He explained that it was difficult to get a visa to go to the United States, and that he always watched the New Year’s Eve scenes in Times Square on TV. He was fulfilling a dream.
Performances begin at 6 pm local time – and the main attraction of the night is the band Duran Duran. But from early on, the sound checks and production tests entertain the crowd, excited and already equipped with hats, 2023 glasses and many other festive objects.
And it’s good to take advantage of the wait, since the party itself doesn’t last long: the show usually ends promptly at 0:15 am, after the countdown and the fall of the traditional globe.
About Times Square globe
The globe is made up of nearly 3,000 crystals. This year, the ball has 200 new crystals handcrafted by Irish artisans, all with interlocking hearts, reflecting the New Year’s Eve 2023 theme, which is “the gift of love”.
Since 1904 people have been going to Times Square to celebrate the new year, but the tradition of the globe falling started in 1907, with a ball made of iron and wood.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
