»World's Most Photographed Event: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2022«

„The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta attracts thousands of people to the high-desert each year. 

From a small gathering of 13 balloons in 1972, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has grown to become the largest balloon event in the world. Held each year during the first week in October, the Balloon Fiesta now features about 600 balloons and 700 pilots.“

The weather forecast for the weekend here in Albuquerque was pretty crappy. Nonstop rain and mostly windy - only little hope for the spectacle. And so it was on Saturday. The alarm clock at 4:30, as we arrived it was foggy, drizzle, light wind from the wrong direction... forget about it. Anyway, we walked all over the grounds and looked around, of course. If you take part live at such an event, so whatever.

Today, Sunday morning, it was almost perfect, contrary to all announcements. Shortly before 7.00 the sky cleared, the sun came out and the first balloons lit their fires.

I know hot air balloons, at home in Westphalia they were often in the sky many years ago. We saw four or five of them during the summer, casually. What happened here, however, was a pretty crazy and huge show.

When each balloon went up and happy people cheered ... about 600 balloons, over 100,000 people. Cheers!