Normandy

My first stop in Europe was to visit Normandy with my family.  My Uncle Roger is stationed in Norway and they graciously allowed me to join in on a trip to Paris they had already planned.  At the end of the day, there were seven of us: Roger and Leslie with two of their children (my cousins Catherine and Andrew) and Roger's mom (Nan) and brother (Walter) and me.  It was the first time in Europe for 2 of our party and the first time in France for 3.

Normandy was a cross between a sobering history lesson and an introduction to the northern French gourmand lifestyle.  We visited battle sites enshrined in history during the daytime and ate exquisitely  prepared 3 course meals with Calvados and wine at night.  I could wax poetic about French food for hours, but won't bore you in this blog.  Let's just say they're famous for their food for a reason.  It was fun watching others discover French food for the first time.  Why Yes! This bread really is better than any you've ever had before!

Some memorable moments from Normandy include:
- The organ player at St Mere Eglise taking requests from Nan after he heard her talking reverently about the organ.  (She then got another concert at the cathedral in Bayeux!)

- Looking over the side of Pointe du Hoc where the marines scaled cliffs to disable the guns aimed at Omaha and Utah beaches, and then held the point for 2 days.
- Dinner by the sea at the fabulous sea-side hotel that Roger found for us.  And the dinner the next night up the road.  And lunches.  We did not have a bad meal on this trip!
- Talking with the proprietor of Calvados and Pomme aperitif distillery while tasting his wares

- "I don't like red wine, but . . . [3 glasses later] . . . this stuff is really good!" - Walter

Our first meal in France together

Over 9000 Americans are
buried at this cemetery that
France has donated to us

Point du Hoc Ranger Monument
Of the 225 Rangers that left ships
to attack Point du Hoc, only 90
men were still able to bear arms
when the relief force arrived
2 days later

Our hotel overlooked one of the British
beaches.  The transports sunk in
the distance are juxtiposed with the
vacationers sailing and
enjoying the beach today

Military Men
Army, Air Force and Marine

The organist at St Mere Eglise
plays for Nan

These two really know how to show
you a good time!

Kir Normande and Wine to
accompany each course. Dinners
 in Normandy were always good

My grandfathers are both WWII vets.  The two of them survived and I am alive and visiting a democratic France today because of it.  It makes you wonder what the world would look like if the 10,000 young men had not died to gain the toe-hold on Continental Europe on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944.  Or if the next 40,000 young men had not died in Normandy after the first day of the invasion.  The price of freedom seemed very large standing among the graves in the American Cemetery.  I had been to this cemetery before, but it takes on a whole new perspective when you see it through the eyes of current and former military men.  

If the numerous monuments, plaques and memorials are any indication, the French people are very grateful to their liberators.  Even the stained glass windows of the church St Mere Eglise contain words of thanks. 

Next Stop: Paris