First Time in Times Square of New York City During New Year Eve

My friends and I won the same scholarship for a one year exchange program in the United States.  During winter break, our scholarship’s founder, Dr. Alan Lightman, arranged a trip to visit New York City for six days. We stayed with Chris, a friend of Dr. Lightman, and she gave us the idea to go to Times Square on New Year Eve.

“Ladies, what do you plan to see in New York City?” Chris asked.

“We’re going to see the Metropolitan Museum, High Line, Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building,” Menghun said.

“Ok, good. So do you guys want to see Times Square tonight?” Chris asked.

“What is Times Square?” I asked.

“What do they do during New Year Eve?” Kalyan asked.

We had so many questions for Chris, so she had to explain everything. She said that Times Square is a popular tourist place where approximately forty million people come to see the concert, the ball and countdown to midnight. It would be crowded but it was safe because the police did not allow people to drink or carry guns in that area.

After hearing from her, we decided to go to Times Square at six o’clock. We asked Chris to go with us, but she already had plan with her boyfriend. We first felt nervous to go there by our own, but Chris told us to contact the police when we would miss each other.

When we got off the subway, we walked to Times Square. The police officers were standing on the streets and working with the traffic jam. The area of Time Square was closed off with iron borders, and many people walked and hung out on the streets. The shops, restaurants and stores were open. The buildings were decorated with different colors of lights. Christmas trees were still on the streets. The trees in front of the buildings were dressed in silver, gold, red, yellow and blue. Many kinds of foods and drink were served on the streets, and people enjoyed eating and hanging.

We all decided to go inside Times Square, because we could see Lady Gaga the concert and the ball clearly. The police officers checked us carefully twice, and then we walked for a while to get closer. We discussed the possibility of getting lost and separated from each other because it was so crowded. We thought if someone was missing, she should walk back to the Time and Life Building and others would come to get her. However, we decided to hold our hands all the time. Unfortunately, the numbers of people increased every minute. The crowd and the smell of people made us felt difficult to breathe. Sometimes, people interfere in our group or pushed to leave from one place to other places in the crowded area. At nine o’clock, Kalya and I stood near the border side, so we could breathe properly. Unfortunately, our friends stood in the middle of all the people. Kalyan could not run on holding Limheang and other two ladies’ hands because her hands were fatigued. She decided to release her hands. We were so worried about Limheang because she is small and stood in the middle of crowed. Kalyan and I felt overwhelmed and we really wanted to leave. Kalyan decided to ask the police:

“Excuse me sir, can you help me, please?” Kalyan asked.

“What do you want me to help with?” police replied.

“My sister is so small, and she can’t breathe well because she is in the middle of people. Can you get her out? ” Kalyan said.

“So, where is she?” police asked.

Kalyan tried to get Limheang out and met the police. When Limheang talked to the police, she did not understand why they called her out. She just said that she was fine and happy, and then police told us to stand again. I felt embarrassing, I did not say anything to police and I just smiled. Next, Kalyan and I had plans to leave; I told Kalyan let’s pretending as she got sick then we could leave. Thirty minutes later, Kalyan’s face and eyes turned red, and she started crying. Kalyan talked to police again.

“Sir, I feel overwhelmed and dizzy, can you let me out?” Kalyan said.

“Is it only you who wants to leave?” police asked.

“I am the one who is sick but my friends have to leave with me too” Kalyan said.

“OK, how many people want to leave?” asked police.

“Five…” I said.

We were able to leave, and planned to go back home. Unfortunately, a lot of people were on the streets near Times Square, in the shops and the park. We had difficulty to walking or moving on the streets. The area near the metro station was crowded and the train was delayed. We had no choice; we just walked around the buildings, stayed in crowded area and waited subway until twelve o’clock. Fortunately, we could arrive home safety, but we were so exhausted, and our legs and bodies hurt from walking and standing for eight hours in Times Square. All in all, we were so happy to get such a good experience to see the real crowed area, Times Square, meet diverse people and had a great experience spending night time in New York City.

By Marady

©2012