Traveling often brings with it a blend of excitement, discovery, and a few unexpected surprises. My recent trip to Lille for the Team USA vs. South Sudan basketball game was no different. It began with a metro ride to Gare du Nord, one of Paris’s busiest train stations. Despite its size and importance, finding food there was a bit of a challenge. After wandering around, I finally stumbled upon a Mexican food spot that served up some surprisingly good tacos. One thing I’ve noticed in France is that the food feels more substantial and nutritious compared to what I’m used to back home—it’s a refreshing change.
As I was getting ready to board the train, I had an unusual experience at the station’s restroom. To my surprise, they charge one euro to use the facilities, and there’s even a person stationed at the entrance with a credit card machine. The company managing this is called “2theloo,” which was an interesting discovery.
The train ride itself was another story. Despite a short delay, I was excited to board my first-ever bullet train, with a top speed of 320 km/h. However, the journey wasn’t as comfortable as I’d hoped. The heat inside the train was almost unbearable, even with the air conditioning on full blast. It seems that in France, air conditioning just isn’t as powerful, especially in crowded areas, which made the ride less enjoyable.
Upon arriving in Lille, we took a bus straight to the stadium. The drive was quick but rough, and I couldn’t help but notice that the drivers in Lille seemed less skilled than those in Paris. The stadium itself was impressive, especially considering it had been converted from a football venue to host a basketball game. However, it appeared that only half of the stadium was being utilized for the event.
The game ended with a win for Team USA, but the journey back to Paris was a bit of a hassle. With no trains running late at night, we had to rely on an expensive cab ride home. The food options at the stadium were limited and disappointing, rounding off a day filled with highs and lows.