MOS: Tourists in Times Square (5)

Orlando and Scott from Denver smiling in Times Square

1. Orlando, 25 and Scott, 28 from Denver
2. “Long story short, we were supposed to be in Atlanta… but the music festival we were going to got cancelled.”
3. “We were a little nervous because it’s a big city in a pandemic.”
4. “So far it’s been surprisingly well! The people have been friendly!”
5. When asked what they are seeing while in town, they listed, “the Empire State building, the Statue of Liberty, Yankee Stadium, and Times Square.”
6. Jessica, 31 from LA (but also from Europe and Asia, “I could list the places, if you wanted, but it’s a lot.”)
7. She is in town to “visit [her] friend!” She seemed very excited.
8. “We’ve been friends for… what is it, like 5 years now?”
9. “I haven’t traveled in the past two years, so I had a little social anxiety for the first few days, but I’m better now!”
10. She is planning to see “all the touristy things,” including, “Times Square and the Edge,” but her friend is the “scheduler.”
11. Haley, 23 from California
12. She is in town to visit her friend, who also goes to NYU!
13. “It’s great! I’ve been wanting to visit for years, and it’s finally happening!”
14. “We’re gonna go around to Central Park and all the touristy stuff! Probably the Empire State Building and Broadway!”
15. She is going to see Wicked, while she’s here! “I’m so excited! It should be really cool!”
16. Bethanie, 16, Scarlett, 15, Devon, 16 from Long Island
17. When asked if they would consider themselves to be tourists, they replied, “Technically, sure!”
18. The came “just to come! To have fun!” They all threw their arms up in the air in a similar fashion as they said this.
19. “It’s a little stressful. You need a vax pass for everything now,” said Scarlett. They are all vaccinated.
20. “We’re going to the Little Italy [San Gennaro] festival later, and we went to Ripley’s Believe It or Not and Central Park.”
21. Josh, 22 and Ryan, 21 from Arizona
22. They came because they are on October break.
23. Josh is a first year med student at U of A, and Ryan is in her masters program at NAU.
24. When asked if they’re tourists, Josh jokingly asked, “Do we look like it?” and then inquired why (I told him I assume almost everyone hanging out in Times Square is a tourist).
25. “We wanted to do it earlier, but we could not until things chilled.”
26. “We’re gonna hit all the major stuff, but we’re not here for very long. We’re gonna go to DC for a few days after this!”
27. They saw Central Park, but Josh described NYC as “a little much for me,” and Ryan laughed.

(No one wanted to give their last name)