Paris 2024 Hospitality Houses, Parc de Villette

 

You didn’t have to go to the games 🏊🤺 🏀 

To get into the “Olympic Spirit” in Paris.

A short metro trip to Parc de Villette in the 19th arron., north of the city

Transformed into Parc des Nations, where the energy & excitement of the games was contagious.

It was a chance to visit individual country’s houses

Taste different country’s cuisine (Mongolia House)

Indian fare at India House. Mango lassi…YUM

At India House.

To experience their artistry

Their various crafts

To make-a-wish that India win the future Olympics 🙏

To participate in Indian dancing 👏 👏👏

Super fun! 🤸‍♂️ Most house were free or charged a 5€ entry like India house.

Mongolia House was free.

Music was a big part of the experience.

Along with national sports

And country graphics

The brilliant flag 🇿🇦 colors of South African house (free).

And innovative fashion designs.

Innovative woven hair designs.

Always big screens to sit & watch the home team competing at the games.

I went on Friday 

And back on Sunday. It was impossible to see all the houses in one visit.

France House was the biggest house, being the host. I was told I should have applied months in advance for press entry. So French. They pointed me to the long ticket line in the hot sun 🌞 🤷‍♀️ I passed (instead of passing out).

Yesterday I went to Casa Brazil. 

After the guard checked my bag, he pointed 👉me to the press desk. 

I started to show them my credentials… 

They said,”Don’t worry, just go in”. 

So Brasileiro 😂 in spirit 👍So relaxed 😎 

I was surprised by all the Olympics pin exchanges. Even the cops were into it.

There was a special building for collectors at la Villette 

Just for trades and sales.

It was intense

I started taking pictures of the lanyards full of Olympic pins. An Asian woman gave me a pin! Where did I put it?

This guy came from Atlanta, Georgia to trade, sell and see the games of course. It was his 8th Olympics! Everyone was friendly and chatty. Everyone was in a good mood 🙂  There were plenty of cops 👮‍♂️ You didn’t have to worry about your stuff.

And plenty of Red Cross. It was HOT 🥵 yesterday.

Plus lots of free, cold water and spritzers to jump under if you wanted to get soaked.

At Slovakia, a wall of all their Olympic team players.

And a big screen of swimmers 🏊‍♂️ 

I did not know 

                                   I would become obsessed 

With painting aquatic dancers…

I was walking to the metro with the crowd on Friday. Suddenly I heard ‘CLIP, CLOP, CLIP, CLOP’. I looked behind me and saw big horses 🐎 noses just over my shoulder! 😳 I jumped out of their path.

I’m Carol Gillott, an artist living in Paris. Every month I send out beautifully illustrated letters that capture the true Parisian experience. 

Sign up to receive whimsical treasures in your mail.

Thanks for reading PB ❤️

☕️ If you’d like to support my work, you can buy me a KO-FI here  ☕️  ❤️ Thank you so much!  Bon Mardi PBers🤸🏾‍♀️🎉

In the Metro yesterday the cops were giving everyone bottles of water(in recyclable cardboard) Nice 👍