La Charité-sur-Loire from the pizzeria on the island (photo by Kelly)
Tonight we had dinner at a simple pizzeria on the island in the Loire, looking across at La Charité-sur-Loire with its beautiful abbey and old ramparts. After dinner we walked across the bridge and joined several hundred local residents on the beach along the Loire to watch the World Cup final match—France vs. Italy—on a large screen television. All the chairs around the screen were already taken, so we sat up with others on the hillside, watching the match and the crowd activity.
I wonder what percentage of the French watched this match tonight? Some people watched at home, perhaps with friends. Many watched in bars, overflowing into the streets. We watched with an entire town on the banks of a river, observing a fervent patriotism for the French team. The event attracted people of all ages: families with small children, teenagers, elderly people, a few other visitors like us. Many locals wore red, white and blue; others painted French flags on their cheeks or waved flags.
Evening on the Loire (from the bridge at La Charité-sur-Loire)
Everyone—including our family—cheered with anticipation each time it appeared a goal was possible, and let out a collective sigh when the ball was blocked or missed the net. The game was tied, 1-1. Kelly was very much the French fan. “Allez les Bleues!” she shouted several times. Yesterday we even tried to find her a bright blue football jersey with the number 10—the number of the most famous French player, Zinedine Zidane.
The sun went down about 10:15 as the match continued into overtime periods that we didn’t quite understand. Some of the oldest and youngest members of the crowd reluctantly went home. With a long drive ahead to Provence of us tomorrow, Charley and I finally told Kelly we had to leave. (We were also afraid we would get caught in a jubilant traffic jam if the French won.) We listened to the rest of the match on the radio as we drove back to Dave and Aralynn's house. Although we couldn’t quite follow the announcers' commentary, ultimately we realized France had lost.
Since we didn't see see the last part of the match, we don't understand the incident with Zidane, but we were proud to be part of France on this night. We were happy for Italy, but we shared the disappointment of France. What a celebration there would have been out here in the countryside-- and all over France-- if France had been the victor this year.
Watching the World Cup final in La Charité-sur-Loire
