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I kicked off my time in Paris by spending the opening ceremony at the Poland House. We were particularly excited to visit because my roommate, Savannah, is Polish. The entry fee was 30 euros, but once inside, all food and drinks were included. The House was beautiful, though it took about an hour by metro and train to reach, so it was a bit out of the way. However, it was located next to the Great Britain House and the Italy House. We passed by the GB House, which looked stunning, situated right next to a pond with a beautiful fountain. Curious about the entry cost, we asked the workers outside, and they explained their three-tier system: the bronze ticket, their cheapest option, was 150 euros, the silver ticket was 270 euros, and the gold medal ticket was a whopping 435 euros. After hearing those prices, we were very glad the Poland House only charged 30 euros. 

One drink that stood out was the Polish version of Limoncello– cytrynówka, a Polish lemon liquor. The food was equally impressive, with offerings like apple crumb cake, ham, pickles with pasztet, and fish. Everything was delicious, and it was a pleasure interacting with people from a different cultural background.

The night was even sponsored by Looney Tunes, with Bugs Bunny making an appearance and everyone receiving their own pair of bunny ears. There were plenty of photo opportunities with the Looney Tunes characters, and they even had a basketball court and a place to get a temporary Paris tattoo. Two large screens were set up to play the opening ceremony, and there was ample outdoor seating. Although it rained for half the ceremony, we decided to stay outside and embrace the rain. It was such a fun night–shoutout to Savannah for the suggestion! This was one of my favorite nights of the entire trip. 

The Swiss House was another amazing hospitality house. Entry was free, and you paid for food inside. I ended up returning a few times because they had the best-iced latte (and the only one I could find) in Paris! Everyone was so kind, and the food was delicious. I had a hotdog with a bunch of crazy toppings. The house had an On Cloud section, with brand ambassadors present since On was sponsoring the Swiss athletes. On is one of my favorite running apparel and shoe companies. A big-screen TV was set up in the middle, and they were preparing for a live band. Though we didn’t get to hear them play. 

The Holland House was another highlight. The vibes were immaculate. The house was huge, with a large outdoor seating area, and inside, there was a stage with a standing area surrounded by seats. When we first arrived, we explored and walked around. TVs were everywhere, so I sat and watched the men’s 10,000m race (shoutout to Grant Fisher for placing third). As the night went on, they brought out a DJ, and it’s safe to say I danced the night away. They also brought out two female silver medalists in rowing on stage and they jumped around with the DJ. The music and remixes were fantastic, and everyone was just so happy to be there. 

Exploring the hospitality houses was one of my favorite activities in Paris. It was amazing to experience different cultures in the heart of the city.

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.

When I was accepted into this summer program, I knew I wanted to take some extra time off and experience parts of France other than Paris. As I researched and planned, I realized that the impact of the Paris Olympics reaches beyond the host city, so I set out to experience some sporting events in the south of France before arriving in Paris for the Olympic games. 

First, I traveled to Nice, where the Tour de France was set to finish for the first time ever.  (The traditional finish in Paris could not have taken place because of the Olympics). My dad is a fan of the Tour, and as I grew up, I learned to enjoy watching the cyclists grind their way through the countryside and up the mountains of France. So, I was excited to experience the race firsthand and to see a different major sporting event in France as a possible comparison point to the Olympics. 

The tour took over Nice and brought an extra buzz of excitement to the town. Clearly, the Nicoise were proud to be chosen as the alternate terminus for the race (the traditional finish in Paris could not take place because of the Olympics), which is good because the Tour took over the whole town for the weekend. The old town was decorated with yellow, green, and polka dot flags strung above the narrow cobbled streets, and the iconic #ILOVENICE sign on the Promenade was updated to the Tour’s Black and Gold. As the weekend progressed, more and more of downtown and the Promenade was blocked off to pedestrians until the city was at a complete standstill. At night, a colossal drone and fireworks show shut down the entire Nice port. The beach, the streets, and the sidewalks were all full as the whole city celebrated together.  

Next, I traveled to Marseille to see the opening match of the men’s soccer tournament. Compared to Nice, where I could feel the presence of the Tour everywhere I went, the fact that Marseille was hosting Olympic events seemed just an additional part of everyday life. Public transit lines are updated with pink and blue signage, and the Olympic rings are visible throughout the Vieux Port, but otherwise, life continues as usual in the city.

Attending the sold-out opening match of the men’s soccer tournament at Stade Velodrome was undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, though. French and American fans streamed into the stadium from all sides. The seats inside the stadium were all prepped with red, white, or blue flags, and before kickoff, as the crowd waved the flags, the stadium was turned into an undulating French flag. The stadium thundered as French fans sang La Marseillaise, and each French goal was celebrated with a wave of deafening cheers in support of Les Bleus. 

I look forward to comparing these experiences throughout France with the experience of Paris during the Olympics. It is already clear that security for the opening ceremony has disrupted the rhythm of life in the Capital. What will the atmosphere around the city be as the games commence? In just a few hours we’ll find out!