Sometime in 2018 we first talked about going to the Paris Olympics. After a few years of planning, and saving money, amidst many life changes (including moving multiple times), we made it work! It was a combination delayed honey moon and incredible trip. We went to the Olympics for about 5 days, then to Spain for a week, and then back to the Olympics. The Olympics and Paris were a fun but exhausting part, while the time in Spain was centered more on relaxing.
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| For ease of travel, we packed small carry-ons for the whole trip. this ended up being 12.7 lbs. It included- |
2 pairs of shorts, 1 pair of pants, 1 long sleeve button-up, 1 t-shirt, 2 tank tops, 1 pair of running shorts, 1 pair of shorts for sleeping, 4 pairs of underwear, 4 pairs of socks, 1 swimsuit, 1 pair of sneakers, toiletries, e-reader, external battery and inverters/cords.
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| At the Toronto Airport we had 27 Canadian olympians on our flight. As part of the celebration of their departure, the Team Canada breakdance team was performing at the gate, there was a mini-parade with many of the Olympians, and press conference with the pilot of our flight and the athletes. It was a pretty cool atmosphere and kick-off for the trip! |
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| part of the press conference |
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| Along the Seine River before the start of the opening ceremony |
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| Posing with the Paris Olympics Mascot, the Phryge, just before the opening cermony along the Seine. |
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| It was raining and chilly for most of the opening ceremony, we didnt take many pictures, but here was the masked horseman riding up the river carrying the torch |
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| police units from all over the world were present |
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| the view from our room at night |
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| the marathon GOAT! |
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| Sammy wearing the silly promotional sunglasses that were being handed out at the restaurant we were at |
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| Warholm and Mahuchikh- two modern day legends of athletics |
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| the start of the 1500m final! Jakob Ingebrigtsen slowly walked to the start line |
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| Cole Hocker won the 1500m in a THRILLING race! Yared Nuguse came 3rd. This was the first time in112 years that two American athletes landed on the podium in this event! |
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| women's 1500m heats |
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Before a hot morning of watching various heats in the athletics events, including some of my favorite runners!
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| men's 110m hurdle heats |
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| Sam walking in Colombes, France, heading towards the historic Stade Yves-du-Manoir, to watch field hocky |
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| Netherlands had a strong fan base for the field hockey |
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| After several days we went to Mallorca Spain for a week for relaxing along the Mediterranean Sea. I went on some absolutely beautiful runs. While it was warm, South Carolina is hotter in the summer, so this felt like a break from the humidity of the southeastern USA. |
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| We enjoyed exploring Palma |
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| We toured inside the stunning and ancient (>800yr old) Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca |
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| inside one of the staircases |
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| along the rooftop, at sunset. these tours are still relatively new and infrequent, we were fortunate to be able to explore such an incredibly beautiful and historical cathedral |
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| wandering an alleyway in Palma |
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| outside the cathedral |
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| a view from hotel to the peninsula across the bay, which I ran to most days. |
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| outside the Bercy Arena, where the gymnastics were held |
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| Simone Biles! |
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| The temporary venue for beach volleyball was right next to the Eiffel Tower, it was an incredible spot! |
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| The walk to stade de france in Sain-Denis |
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| stade de france ! |
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| a french rat! |
