Summary of the Core Content
This article recounts the author's experience in New York during the World Cup finals week (July 2024) for academic purposes—visiting a renowned expert on Kashmiri shawls and observing the Shatosh Shawl at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The author encounters soaring prices for hotels and transportation, and observes that the influx of football fans has driven away regular tourists, leaving the museums relatively quiet. Despite the challenges, the author gains a lot from the in-depth museum visits and academic exchanges. It also highlights how different people make sacrifices for their passions, whether it's football fans spending large sums to watch the games or the author committing to a scholarly meeting.
Breakdown and Interpretation
1. New York Prices Soar During the World Cup
The World Cup finals week in New York is a veritable expense spree:
- Hotels: Economical hotels near the MET doubled in price the week before the finals, and on the night of the final, they increased three to four times; even hotels on Staten Island saw similar price increases.
- Transportation: The usual $12.9 fare for the New Jersey commuter train rose to $150 during the finals, dropping to $98 after protests (still more than seven times the regular price). A first-class flight back to Shanghai on the 20th cost 110,000 RMB and was completely sold out.
- Ticket Prices: The entry fee for second-hand World Cup tickets started at $10,000, with official resales reaching over $30,000; even bedspaces in youth hostels increased to 1,000 RMB per night.
In the author's words: “The housing prices throughout New York seemed to have hit a ceiling, and poverty limited my enthusiasm for being a football fan.”
2. Football Fans Drive Away Regular Visitors, Leaving Museums Quiet
The World Cup led to a shift in visitor demographics:
- Football Fan Influx: Millions of fans flocked to the stadium, bars, and fan villages, with most of them concentrating around the New Jersey Stadium and Central Park viewing areas, leaving the museums virtually empty.
- Regular Visitors Retreat: Rising hotel and ticket prices deterred tourists who usually come to New York in July for summer. Even regular museum visitors were displaced by the football craze; the museum was at its quietest during the finals.
The author experienced this firsthand: last year, the MET was crowded with people, but this year it was so quiet that one could hear their own footsteps; even the MoMA was deserted, proving that AI predictions about high attendance were inaccurate.
3. Non-Football Fans Find Hidden Joy at Low Costs
Instead of joining the football fan frenzy, the author discovered hidden delights in New York:
- MET Annual Pass: Non-New Yorkers can obtain a global membership for $90/year (or $30 per ticket), allowing unlimited visits and bringing one guest with them. The author bought cultural merchandise at discounted rates (70% on the day of enrollment and 85% off normally). They visited the museums multiple times over eight days and even brought friends for free, making a significant saving.
- Quiet Enjoyment: On the finals day, with all fans attending the games, the museums, Central Park (non-viewing areas), and public libraries were empty. The author was able to focus on studying exhibits, visiting craft shops, and even attend a concert at the MET. This “luxurious silence” was more valuable than the exhibits themselves.
4. Passion Is About More Than Cost-Effectiveness
The most touching aspect of the article is the stories of people making sacrifices for their passions:
- Football Fans' Commitment: A Mexican internet celebrity took his father to watch the World Cup opening match; the father, a mechanic, was thrilled by the surprise. Forward Jesus Hernandez dedicated his goal to his recently deceased father.
- The Author's Persistence: Despite the high costs, the author attended the meeting with her professor and continued her research on the Shatosh Shawl, demonstrating that dedication to one's passions is just as meaningful.
The author says: “There are things in life that cannot be measured by cost-effectiveness. The 90-minute match may end, but the memories of the father-son experience and the stories behind the artifacts will remain a lifelong treasure.”
5. Two Types of “Metropolises”: Noise and Silence Both Bring Happiness
New York has two sides:
- MetLife Stadium: 80,000 people cheered for the football match, with fans in red and blue filling the streets; even couples at breakfast restaurants wore opposing team jerseys and interacted warmly.
- The Met Museum: The author spent time studying textiles and listening to expert lectures, engaging with history.
These two aspects may seem contradictory, but they both represent choices that contribute to a meaningful life. Fans pursue immediate excitement, while the author values academic tranquility; different passions lead to similar forms of fulfillment.
Final Thoughts
This article doesn't delve into complex economic theories but uses personal experiences to show how the World Cup affects cities. Behind the soaring prices lies the power of the “passion economy,” and non-mainstream activities (like visiting museums) can also bring unique joy. It reminds us that the world is vast enough to accommodate various forms of passion—both the hustle and bustle of the finals week and the quiet tranquility of the museums offer their own kinds of happiness this summer.