HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA IN ALBUQUERQUE, USA / FESTIVAL DE GLOBOS AEROSTÁTICOS.

Hi my dear friends, I'm here again  with something that I'd like you to see and comment! I'd love flying into the sky inside a hot air balloon basket but at the same time, I am afraid of it! It's a very strange feeling so today I want to share with you this report about the  "Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, USA".  I'm sure that I'll finally do it! but I need to be encouraged enough!!!

Hola queridos amigos, aquí estoy otra vez con algo que me gustaría que viérais y comentárais, Me encantaría volar por el cielo dentro de un globo aerostático pero al mismo tiempo, me da miedo.  Es un sentimiento muy extraño así que hoy quiero compartir con vosotros este reportaje sobre "El Festival de Globos Aerostáticos de Albuquerque, USA".  ¡Estoy segura de que al final lo haré! Pero necesito estar lo suficientemente animada.



THE BALOON FIESTA 
Albuquerque, USA.


Info from:  Speak Up magazine.

Imagine a hot air balloon, an enormous, colourful balloon with a basket, carrying people high into the sky.  It's spectacular!  Now imagine 600 hot air balloons, all in the same place at the same time.
That's what you can experience at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which is the world's biggest ballooning festival.  This year it has been from October 1st to 9th.



NEW MEXICO

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta began in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1972, with 13 hot air balloons launching from the parking lot of a shopping mall.

This was for the 50th birthday celebration of a local radio station.  It included a balloon race and was a great success.

The Balloon Fiesta became an annual event, and it got bigger every year.  In 2000, it had the most hot air balloons ever -1,019.  After that, officials limited the number of balloons to 600.

THE NIGHT SKY

In addition to being the world's biggest balloon event, the Balloon Fiesta is also the most photographed.  It has its own area, the Balloon Fiesta Park, which is 365 acres, or the size of 54 football fields.

Up to 100,000 people attend each day of the Fiesta for a series of spectacular activities.  One of the most popular is the Mass Ascension, when all of the balloons launch into de sky in two waves.  Another is the Balloon Glow, when the balloons illuminate the night.

ELVIS!

In the Flight of Nations, a balloon from each country represented at the festival launches to the sound of its national anthem.  It also carries its flag.  Hot air balloons come in all different shapes and sizes. The Special Shape Rodeo has balloons shaped like everything from flowers to dinosaurs and Elvis Presley.

The festival also has a series of challenges.  These include a long-distance race called America's Challenge.  Special long-distance balloons launch from the Balloon Fiesta Park and travel as far as possible.  The winning balloons often travel for three days as far as Canada or the East Coast of the United States.

MUSIC

Festival attendees can also enjoy concerts and other entertainment at the Balloon Fiesta Park.  They can visit the Balloon Discovery Center and the International Balloon Museum to learn about the history of the festival and ballooning.  And of, course, they can experience the rich New Mexican culture of Albuquerque.  It's a fun time for everyone!!!

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VOCABULARY

-HOT AIR BALLOON:  globo aerostático.
-TO CARRY:  llevar.
-PARKING LOT:  aparcamiento.
-SHOPPING  MALL:  centro comercial.
-OWN: propio.
-UP TO:  hasta.
-TO ATTEND:  asistir.
-WAVE:  ola.
-GLOW: resplandor, brillo.
-ANTHEM:  himno.
-FLAG:  bandera.
-SHAPE:  forma.
-TO LAUNCH:  lanzarse.
-AS FAR AS POSSIBLE:  lo más lejos posible.

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HAVE A NICE DAY MY FRIENDS!

WOULD YOU DO BALLOONING?