Author: a.josyula

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.

As I arrived at the airport I began to see Paris 2024 banners out on the airport while our flight was still getting to where it’s supposed to stop. That’s when it hit me, I’m at the Olympic Games. A day I never thought I would see is here. As I Began to walk through the airport, I could immediately feel the atmosphere of the games as the whole Azerbaijan contingent was also there picking up their bags.  I quickly realized how many people in Paris do not speak English. I have always heard about it but was surprised as to how true it actually was as my cab driver did not even know a word of English.

I immediately decided not to waste my time and set on out to look at the city. I walked all around the hotel and checked out my surroundings before going to the Eiffel Tower. I wasn’t able to go all the way up which I did today with my friends. I visited the Louvre the next day and saw the mona lisa. 

The day after my arrival in Paris, all my classmates and professors from GW had also arrived, and we were excited to attend the torch relay at Park Georges-Vilbon. Watching the Olympic torch light the flame was an unforgettable experience, and we had a fantastic time exploring the Coca Cola festival. The following day, we visited the Team USA House for our orientation. Afterward, we headed to the Olympics megastore near the Arc de Triomphe to purchase some Olympic merchandise. Despite the high prices, I couldn’t resist buying the mascot and a few other items. We continued our shopping spree, and while I couldn’t fully enjoy French cuisine due to my allergies and vegetarian diet, I still managed to find some enjoyable food options.

The next day, I volunteered at the Team USA House, where I interacted with many visitors curious about the facility. Many people expressed shock and disappointment upon learning that a one-day pass cost 325 euros and that a ticket was required to access the store inside. Despite these issues, it was a rewarding experience to assist and engage with so many passionate Olympic fans.