The 1968 Winter Olympics

Grenoble and the Surrounding Alps

We left the beaches of Cote d’Azur minus three people from the original group. Even then, we remained a small village roaming the French streets. The next morning, a bus lead us away from the sea towards the Alps and home of the 1968 Winter Olympics, Grenoble.

Before Grenoble, we made a quick detour to the town of Hauterives and the Palais du Facteur Cheval. As the story goes, this French postman, Ferdinand Cheval, was walking along the streets of Hauterives one day when he noticed a few smooth pebbles along the road. He decided to pick them up and this produced deep within his soul a great idea. From that day forward over 34 years, he would collect pebbles, then plaster these pebbles in unique designs in what would become his ‘ideal palace.’ His ideal palace, I must admit, was pretty darn odd, but admirable. At least supplies were cheap. One hour had been allotted to roam the palace, but a mere 19 minutes would have been suffice.

If You Have Enough Pebbles You Can Build Your Own Castle

Side Trip to Vizille

The plan for dinner was to enjoy a typical dish of Grenoble, white wine fondue. From our hotel, the ever discombobulated amoeba we called our high school group began a trek of a dozen blocks. It passed store fronts as the gaze of other French teenagers and adults fell upon us. Eventually the 41 person snaked around Grenoble to the restaurant.

Now we should clarify that the actual act of going from Point A to Point B while passing Points C, D, E, F, G, and H undoubtedly distracted teenagers in a new country. A certain protocol is followed with a group this size. As we headed anywhere, the guide and one French teacher would lead the group. A few chaperones sat in the middle keeping students on task of talking with their friends and walking. I brought up the end of group sporadically yelling, “Barbara! Stop! You might want to look to your right as there is a train coming directly at you.” So when a student stared up at the French sky, a Grenoble building, a really unique looking French pigeon, or basically being oblivious to their surroundings, I would gently, but firmly grab their left ear and pull them back onto the correct route.

That night of white wine fondue provided a delicious pot of cheese rich with white wine which might have been the reason that the volume in the restaurant steadily reached a crescendo. We followed our night of cheese with a trip up the Téléphérique au Fort de la Bastille to walk off all of the curds with stunning views of Grenoble as a background. This fortress built in the 19th century was designed to protect the city. It also served as a commemoration to the 1968 Winter Olympics. The most astounding aspect of the entire sites wasn’t the impressive caves built in the mountain or the fact that not a single New Mexican participated in the Games, but the stylish ski outfits athletes wore to the Games themselves.

1968 Olympic Games Bobsled

Chilling in Grenoble

Final Stop of Spring Break 2008: Paris