Paris, a destination for the #Take12Trips challenge?
My #WhenInParis Story
My last visit to Paris was a really long time ago; fifteen years in fact. A family road trip in the camper van with my Dad and brothers. I didn’t know it at the time, but my Dad had malignant melanoma – skin cancer. I guess he wanted to create some more happy stories for us before we had to deal with that one, when we got home.
The other reason for our road trip? The 1998 Word Cup Final: France VS Brazil! We didn’t have tickets, but that wasn’t a problem. It was my first real World Cup Final experience and we were all excited to be in Paris with all the other fans from around the globe.
We spent Cup Final day at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis immersing ourselves in the carnival atmosphere; everyone was in high spirits and the French and Brazilian fans partied side by side.
In the evening we found the match broadcast live outdoors in a square in Saint-Denis. We were supporting Brazil and were wearing our colours with pride; possibly quite a brave move considering the square was mainly populated by French fans and Brazil lost! There wasn’t any trouble though and the atmosphere that night was amazing; crowds cheering and singing, and drivers beeping their horns. It was great to be part of that story and Paris gave us lots of happy memories that I will always treasure.
Brazil might have lost the World Cup Final that night but my Dad went on to beat cancer. That’s the only ending to this story that truly matters.
Paris, it’s been a long time but I haven’t forgotten you. When I return I want to seek out Amélie Poulain’s Paris, I want magic, adventure, mischief and more. Like Amelie; “I like to look for things no one else catches.” But that story is waiting.
Josh says
Paris is one that I would like to go back to soon as well. When I was there last I did a lot and still had so much left to do by the time I left. Some of my fondest memories are in this city.
Kooky Traveller says
Hi Josh, good to hear you have happy memories of Paris too! I still have a lot of Paris to explore, apart from watching the footie, I’ve been to Disney and up the Eiffel Tower, which doesn’t amount to much. I hope you make it over there again soon too – thanks for stopping by 🙂
katie featherstone says
I can’t believe I’ve never been! It’s so close and just such an iconic city.
Kooky Traveller says
Hi Katie, I can definitely recommend it and I also need to get myself back over there too! 🙂