Yes! After last night's football match against the Irish, people were celebrating everywhere - for France is now qualified for the next World Cup. I took this photo on the Champs Elysées last night, but if you take a closer look at the young lady on the left, you will notice that she's wearing the Algerian flag. The thing is that Algeria also qualified today for the World Cup (after 26 years!) and since there is a large Algerian community in France they all gathered on the Champs Elysées. It's really nice to see people happy.
I like the motion in this photo. I hope that car wasn't moving fast or some passengers might end up as roadkill!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to France and Algeria. That must have been one cool celebration.
Cool photo!!! Vive la France.
ReplyDeleteThough I think our Guille may be a little bummed out. She was rooting for Ireland on Facebook.
I'm happy France qualified.
ReplyDeleteThe world cup wouldn't be the same without France!
That explains all the Irish backpackers gathered at the pubs in the early morning in Sydney.
ReplyDeleteSydney - City and Suburbs
HANDBALL AND OFFSIDES
ReplyDeleteIRELAND DESERVED THE WIN
Yes it's fab to see them happy! As a mother though I can't help worrying terribly about their precarious position. Eek! Also, those young ladies will catch their death of cold with such flimsy clothing! Oh God I'm old. :D
ReplyDeleteGo, France! Go, Algeria! Fabulous photo, Eric—nice stop action. Must admit I had the same thought about these happy kids hanging out of the car like this. But, hey, I'm a maman (and I'm old too!).
ReplyDeleteNot commenting on the photo - just found your blog and wanted to comment on it. Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the time and effort you put into it. It's like taking a vacation. The photographs are beautiful and informative. The commentary delightful.
It's nice to have insight into the life of Paris even though I am Kansas. I've always dreamed to visiting, but because that is unlikely due to age and economics, it is wonderful to live the dream vicariously through your blog.
Fantastic shot, Eric. Sheer joy abounds!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! I'm sure more than a few Irish pubs are filled in the aftermath of that game. Could have gone either way really. One of my exchange students from Italy is a member of Italy's jr international team...amazing soccer player...and will likely be playing on the stage of the World Cup one day. It's nice to see that soccer (futbol)is being embraced more and more by those in the USA. Hey, enjoy your stroll on the Champs!
ReplyDeleteWelll I"m not a soccer fan but I'm glad you're happy Eric as well as all of France! :) This is a great motion shot although it looks like risky business in Paris traffic. Oh well!
ReplyDeleteV
moué bof, des couillons en roue libre, laché non seulement à Paris mais dans toute la région parisienne qui klaxonnent toute la nuit, imposant leur "joie" sonore à tout le monde. Alors évidemment, le même envoutement général va jeter l'anathème sur les commentaires comme le mien, soi disant rabat joie. Une joie conforme à "L'identité nationale", d'où quelle soit. Les imbéciles heureux qui sont nés quelque part comme le chantait Brassens pour décrire gentillement le spectacle de demeurés qui s'entortillent dans leur drapeau. Moi ça me fait froid dans le dos, mais c'est pas grave, ce commentaire émane d'un rabat joie... insensible aux élans de masse décérébrée, et un et deux et trois zérooo, à ce Paris de carte postale ; un rabat joie qui va bouquiner la correspondance de Voltaire en attendant que les klaxon se taisent enfin
ReplyDeleteAgree that there's too much sadness and depression in the world (just see Anonymous' comment) that a little light-hearted joy is deserved. Now, I wonder what the mood would be like if it comes down to Algeria-France in the final?!
ReplyDeleteYou got the thrill of a party in your photo!
ReplyDeleteI was wondering the same thing, Michael.
ReplyDeleteNice photo, Eric, which really shows what happens yesterday: people celebrating the Algerian victory, not the French one.
ReplyDeleteThe reason is that Algeria deserve its qualification, not France!
Yesterday's game was a real pity, as were the previous games since 2 years.
France won with the help of a hand and a blind referee.
In terms of football, I'm not really proud to be French, and I do feel Irish
You've gotta hand it to Henry, just like the Gods of Unforgetable Football Victories did. I wish France well, but I suspect their tournament will be short lived, in the light of last night's performance
ReplyDeleteDermo
What a happy photo! And a very good reason for celebrating! Congratulations to both France and Algeri.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to France and Algeri! I couldn't agree more... it's so nice to see people happy and living in the moment! We all need more of this. Enjoy the celebrations and thanks! Valorie
ReplyDeleteThib there has been much discussion today in the UK over this and I must say most are feeling the same way as you, that it was only with the help of a cheating hand (word of a lot of the public today, not mine particularly though it does look like it on the slowed vid).
ReplyDeleteIf a person can back away from the emotional, sports are a fascinating phenomenon. Energy, emotion, tribalism, competition, bigotry, big money, idiocy, brutality, noble sportsmanship, debauchery...
ReplyDeleteAbove all, a metaphor for life and civilization. There are rules, they get broken, sometimes flagrantly, sometimes accidentally, usually secretly. And the result is decided, fairly or not, and you move on. The winners cheer, the losers grumble, and everyone has a hangover.
So don't forget, boys,
That's what you get, boys,
For makin' whoopee.
Great photo, Eric! And congratulations to France and Algeria. Uruguay qualified last night too... but I'm afraid our team needs to improve a quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteYes, I love to see people enjoying themselves and feeling good about their country.
Thank you for this wonderful look into a country I miss so much! Great photos and text. Checking the site has become a daily addiction.
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