倫敦的新年遊行－shinyshine的部落格

After having spent the night doing the countdown at the New Year’s Eve in London, we definitely have specific reasons to celebrate the merry occasion and family fiesta by watching the New Year’s Day Parade, which will be also broadcast live via satellite by BBC to provide TV viewers throughout the world with a fantastic view. Beginning at the Parliament Square, the entries of the parade will be scheduled to march through the parliament street to the Trafalgar Square, then through the Regent Street to the Piccadilly Circus, and eventually end at the corner of the Green Park. The teams and units in the parade won’t kick off until 12 o’clock at noon, and it means that regular visitors have plenty of time to be well-prepared for the festival.

如果你昨天除夕已經在倫敦倒數，那麼你今天一定有更好的理由藉著新年遊行來慶祝這個歡樂的場合以及家庭的節日，這個活動會藉著英國廣播公司的現場衛星直播播送到全世界。從國會廣場開始，遊行的參加隊伍將會從國會大街走到特拉法加廣場，再由攝政街走到皮卡地里圓環，最後在綠公園的街角結束。遊行參賽的隊伍和單位會在十二點開始，意味著一般觀光客可以有充分的時間做好準備。

For visitors like us, however, it doesn’t seem that we have nothing to do but kick our heels for the whole morning. In reality, we’d better occupy the vacancy beside the main path where the parade will tread upon before it starts to be awfully packed. Additionally, we have to buy something to refresh ourselves regularly because the parade lasts for two hours, and we have to stand through it without buying tickets for seats in the grandstands in case we are too exhausted. By the way, rehearsals practiced prior to the parade are wonderful for filming as well.

然而對像我們這種觀光客而言，這並不表示我們整個早上除了枯等之外無所事事。事實上，我們最好趁真的太擠之前，在遊行隊伍會經過的主要路徑旁邊佔好空位。此外，怕萬一體力不支，我們也要買些吃的東西不時補充體力，因為整個遊行會持續兩個小時，我們又沒有買觀眾席的坐票，所以勢必得站著看完。順帶一提，遊行之前的綵排也可以攝影。

As soon as the clock over the Big Ben struck at twelve, the parade officially launched. Participants coming not only locally but also overseas did their utmost to smile, cheer and wave to the parade-watchers, and the audiences are encouraged to do exactly the same thing in return. The entries in the parade, which comprise cheerleaders from high schools and universities from U.S.A., folk societies, official organizations, British boroughs, marching bands, clubs and even orchestras, did so partially for the audience and New Year and actually for the ₤20,000 prize money. They did an awesome job for the street was lined up with a myriad of viewers, and all participants’ efforts really took us by storm.

大笨鐘一敲十二點，遊行就正式開始了。來自英國境內和海外的遊行參與者盡全力微笑、歡呼、向旁觀群眾揮手，觀眾們也被鼓勵回報以同樣的事。遊行的參賽者由美國高中或大學的啦啦隊、民間社團、官方組織、英國特色鄉鎮、樂儀隊、社團、甚至交響樂隊所組成，這麼做一部份為了觀眾和新年，事實上可能為了高達兩萬英鎊的獎金。他們做到了, 因為街道兩旁擠滿了非常多觀眾，而參賽者的表現的確使我們為之傾倒。

Among all the entries, We enjoy the cheerleaders from the Universal Cheerleaders Association performing to the Beatles classics ” Can’t Buy Me Love” and “A Hard Day’s Night” most. Their greeting is the warmest, their dance is the sharpest, and their cheering is the most inspiring. It’s not easy for over 200 cheerleaders to perform in such fabulous tempo, but they did it like a breeze. The costumes and makeup they wore, together with the performances they did left nothing to be desired. We do long to see such an exceptional parade in the near future.

在所有參賽者中，我們最喜歡來自美國，表演披頭四的兩首經典樂曲的啦啦隊。她們打的招呼最熱切，舞蹈最生動，歡呼最激勵人心。超過兩百個啦啦隊員在如此精彩的節拍中表演確實不容易，但對她們而言輕而易舉。他們的服飾化妝和演出實在無懈可擊。我們真的希望下次還可以看到這麼精彩的遊行。

The following are some fractions adapted from the performances filmed from the parade. Click the go sign and enjoy it!