Lets Just Say We Didn't Go Tanning On These Beaches

After arriving in Caen, France we hopped onto a train to the city of Bayeux in the Normandy area of France. From there we planned to take a bus to the American Cemetery and walk to Normandy beach. Apparently this is no way to see the historic site of the assault on the Germans. Later we would find out why.

We arrived around 7 a.m. It was still cold and there was a long wait ahead of us in the most bare train station in the world as we waited for the noon bus to the beaches. John could barely take it.

With the thought that food might warm us up and get our bodies in the mood to be out and about we set out to find a diner. Only fifty feet away we found delicious food and our next "character" of this trip. What's another entry on this blog without a new "character"?

Name: Jean-Marc
Age: Approx. 35
Nationality: French
Occupation: Overzealous, over-excited, and annoying sandwich maker, bread-getter, and tour guide salesman

JM, for short, owned a small hotel (maybe four rooms) and a bar/diner downstairs and was very lively for 7 am. We told him that we would be venturing to Normandy for the day and he about exploded with excitement, insisting that our current plans were all wrong and that we had to take his tour. The price might have been a bit high, but after 15 minutes of him ranting it seemed well worth it to agree to take his tour just so he would stop pleading (lets face it, he was begging)! We were assured though by a couple from Cinci that the price was much less than larger tours and more worthwhile than our current plans. With faith, we took a jump and had an amazing day!

Anxious to drive our tour bus (a 7 person van) and tell us all about American history, our driver, Simon, backed over a yield sign as he pulled away from JM. Without skipping a beat he whisked us off to our first stop, Port-en-Bessin. It was here that we saw where the British stormed ashore. But the most impressive part wasn't the obstacles that were overcome in the battle, but the movable port that was constructed in 10 days. Remains of the port can still be seen today. That's a true testimony to the planning and leadership of the Allied Forces.

Our second stop of this trip was a set of German Bunkers, that housed guns that could fire 12 miles. We were able to go in and see the massive size of them. Fortunately for the nearby boats, the guns are no longer in operation.

As we proceeded along the coast, we came to the most famous area of the Normandy Beaches, Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery. Here over 9000 Americans who gave their lives on D-Day and over the following months are laid to rest. It was a very sombering area, which really made us reflect on what has been given for us to be here today. As we proceeded on down to the actual beach, we realized the sheer obstacles the Americans overcame. How we ever took the beaches is a testiment to the brave men who risked their lives.

Our final stop on the tour was Point du Hoc, where 250 Army Rangers scaled sheer cliffs to neutralize 6 guns. While many died during the climb, 150 made it to the top and pushed the enemy back. The most amazing part of this area was the many bomb craters that still remained. It was the only part of the beaches that we visited that hadn't been touched in 65 years. There was still barbed wire running around the German bunkers. Once again, a testament to the bravery and courage of the Allied troops. As we headed back to our dear friend JM, we all fell asleep. What an exhausting day.

As if we weren't worn out enough we quickly made it back to JM and heard him re-sell us on his tour. But that was the only place to eat nearby, so we set down for the exact same sandwich we had that morning then jumped on the train to head to Paris.
The train ride was about an hour long but John could barely stay awake. This is no surprise as he has a history of falling asleep on the 10 minute ride to HS when he would catch a ride.

Apparently the train ride was too much for Brett as well. What an adorable picture of these two. Once in Paris we all headed to bed, completely exhausted. Tomorrow we will set out to explore Paris as just Three Men, One Summer Abroad.