For years, since we also have the UN headquarters in midtown, the city has handled, swiftly and efficiently, also all sorts of visits by heads of state from all over the world. As an inhabitant of this island for the past half a century, and, as an East sider that lives within a mile from the UN, I can attest to that and more.
Today I decided to travel to the West side to watch subject parade that was taking place along the Avenue of the Americas (a very appropriate name for this type of gathering, colloquially called by us Sixth Avenue, due to its position next to the renown Fifth Avenue). While the latter offers luxury stores and its (uptown)famous "museums mile", 6th Avenue has always been the avenue of the large corporate high risers that a few years ago built tall, huge, modern, box type buildings in midtown.
An unusual complex, however, also spans along this avenue. It's the old Rockefeller Center with one of the tallest NY buildings (70 stories), which houses also the world famous Radio City Music Hall, with its own interesting art deco (inside and out).
Today I was actually interested in seeing the participating Albanian contingent at the parade, as advertised online. As I suspected, it was the first group to march, following the opening with the horseback riding police unit and the displays of the flags.
While the lonely flag bearer was making progress amidst the pedestrians and tourists that,meantime, were trotting around, familiar Albanian sounds started to come forward....
and then... the surprise! Hundreds of Albanians, mostly young, some perched up on a variety of vehicles, all bunched up, yelling and screaming, resembled a riot more than a parade!
While the display of the red flags and T-shirts was overwhelming, and an uncontrollable enthusiasm was obvious, it was very disappointing for me not to see more folkloric outfits and a more organized group of marchers.
As the parade continued, there was a striking difference between this first contingent, and the participating units from other countries. They were all accompanied by their own music, mounted on vehicles (some of them quite old and painted in their flags' colors), but most of them were actually small groups (some less than a dozen people). But, they were wonderful to watch in their very colorful outfits, graciously dancing, and smiling all along!
Even Bangladesh was represented by a handful of their own, followed by a very simple, unadorned, old truck, that carried, though, small colorful sign with the name of their country, of which they are obviously proud!
All participants, young and old, were obviously enjoying themselves in the gorgeous weather we were blessed with today. Some of the drivers of the cars and buses that provided the music were actually following the rhythm by tapping on the steering wheel or even playing an instrument with one hand while driving with the other!
Not all nations were present today since some of them have a parade of their own on their countries' anniversaries (ie: Italy for Columbus Day in October, Ireland for St. Patrick's Day in March, etc.), but this International organization provided a good, similar occasion for the smaller groups.
The size of the Albanian contingent today has shown that this ethnic community can probably provide enough participants for a complete event of their own (which should be held on Albania's Independence Day: November 28th!), but, they would have to learn self discipline and organizational skills to be successful and appreciated in this endeavor!!
Some of the local color along the side lines was provided by loads of tourists, some strange characters, and even by small birds that nonchalantly were feeding themselves in the midst of all the traffic and the noise!
There is room for everybody and everything in NY!
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