Yesterday I had one of the coolest experiences ever - I too the train to normandy for a day trip to the d- day beaches. Before I even got there, though, I had a two hour stop in the town of bayeux, which was the first French town to be liberated by the Americans. I walked to the town cathedral, which dAted from the 12 th century and had a combined Norman and gothic architectural style. The village was very small and quaint, but the church was easily my favorite part. Incredibly elaborate arches, buttresses, recessed statues all around, etc. And that was just a side trip.
For the main venue, I took a busverts bus from bayeux to colleville - sur- mer, the location of the American military cemetery. The whole site was incredibly well taken care of, with immaculate lawns, beds of flowers, and the like. At one end of the complex was a wall with a stAtue representing liberty as well as some battle diagrams. By far the most striking scene, however, was the rows and rows, and more rows, of white crosses. When I stood on the center they stretched almost as far as I could see. It was a little difficult to comprehend the enormity of it all. I have been to Arlington cemetery, but this was different. This was just one invasion.
After a while I decided to walk down to the beach. It was low tide, and the sands easily covered 600 feet from the cliffs to the water's edge. I immediAtely thought how difficult it must have been to charge across such a wide expense while under attack from the Germans above. Omaha beach was divided into Ten sectors; I walked from easy red to easy fox. Up the bluffs of easy fox I climbed, only to discover the ruins of a Nazi bunker, buried in the hillside. I continued up the bluff, only to find a dozen or more similar artifacts: trenches, pillboxes, gun case mounts, and more. It was a little boy's (and a twenty year old boy's too) dream to wander across the cliff, climbing inside the few intact bunkers and imagining myself there on that fateful day, almost 67 years ago exactly.
Today was less sobering but no less eventful. I started off with a metro ride to the Eiffel tower. Which was really a neat sight. It is huge, and dominates the skyline. It wasn't my favorite though, especially with the hordes of tourists and the annoying people trying to sell Eiffel tower keychains.
A visit to the church of st sulpice was more relaxing, but I was a little surprised to see such a Italian- style church deep within Paris. I then walked to the pantheon, where Voltaire, curie, Hugo, etc. Are buried. My favorite parts of the day were tied between the cathedral de notre dame and...the jardin du Luxembourg. So much has been written about notre dame thAt I won't try to improve on it. I think the only way to truly experience its grandeur is to visit in person, for it really is an awesome spectacle. No less beautiful were the Luxembourg gardens. It was a wonderful park in the heart of Paris, incredibly peaceful and filled with children playing and parents reading. The focal point was the broad lawn in front of the Luxembourg palace. Statues and a ring of flowers surrounded the grass, and I wish I could have spent more time there.
I am planning on visiting the louvre tomorrow, and hope to update y'all soon.
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