My first trip to France: Albertville

1992 was the last time the summer and winter Olympics took place in the same year, and the most recent time the Olympics were held in France (though Paris will host in 2024). It was also the third time for the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region -- Chamonix in 1924, Grenoble in 1968, and Albertville in 1992.
We got there in early April, long after the festivities had ended, but while the facilities were still intact.That tower was used in the opening ceremonies for the Air Ballet.
And this was the cauldron for the Olympic flame, which was lit by a wire running from a platform near the tower.
The Games were clearly a point of pride for Haute Savoie, but looking at the bare skating rink, I was left with the same feeling you have after a party is over and it's time to clean up. Excitement is ephemeral. Tourism is illusory. Far better -- I concluded -- to actually *live* in a place than to merely visit.
This kind of thinking had a huge impact on future choices.