Normandy And Driving In France

This past weekend I went to Normandy to see the landing beaches of the American Armed Forces from the D-Day Invasions of Operation Overlord. We took a TGV through Paris, where we stopped at Starbucks for a coffee and then proceeded to Caen. Caen is a small French city about 40km from the landing beaches. We stayed there overnight in a Hostel and met another Australian at the train station. It's kind of funny because we disembarked the train when a guy with a large backpack cut between us saying "Excuse me" in a good Aussie accent. Having 2 Aussies with me in Jules and Anna she said "Hello Auz!" and he turned back to say hello. We talked as leaving the station and looked at the map to find the youth hostel. His name is Chris and was heading in the same direction. The girls traded information on where we were from, what we've been doing in France as we hopped the Tram to the Hostel.
Arriving at the hostel we were worried it was going to be a dump because it was only 11 euros per night. We were in luck because it had just opened and it was perfect with a shower in all the rooms. We decided to bring Chris in and we got a room with 4 beds, after hanging out a little and talking we decided that we had better get some things to eat. Nice kitchen in the joint as well. I decided that a pasta would be the best route for 4 people and so I made some Bolognaise. Luckily we had met Chris because there was not a sharp knife in the house and he had a Swiss Army that I had to use in place of my Global 10" chef's knife. I also made a nice appetizer with white beans, onions, tomatoes, garlic, and a fair amount of flat-leaf parsley as well. Serving it up with some fresh garlic bread and it was just what the Dr. ordered.
After finishing up dinner we went back into the room and talked for about an hour and a half getting to know our new comrade. He worked for L'Oreal in Australia as a Regional Product Manager type of position. When his position was moved and he was offered to do it by commuting to Melbourne twice a week he decided to leave and travel Europe for 3 months. He also was in the Australian Army Reserves so we had a military connection as well.
Next day we went into town and rented a car so that we had the freedom of choosing where to go and not being dependent on transportion for our valuable time. Since I was the American with experience in driving on the right side of the road I was chosen to drive. It was the first time I had driven since last August and it was somewhat a release. We went first to Bayeaux to see the city and the Bayeaux Tapestry celebrating William the Conquerer's battle in 1066. It's 70 meters long and depicts the whole story. Chris ended up being indispensable with his knowledge of both the tapestry and the D-Day beaches. Having studied both in his Arts and Commerce degrees.
Next we headed to Omaha Beach and the National Memorial and Cemetary located there. We walked down to the landing beach and I got some sand to take back to my Father. My Grandfather was killed in Normandy on June 6th, 1944 with many other brave souls fighting to rid the World of tyranny. It was a day quite like the one so many years before it I imagine because there were low lying clouds out over the Ocean and a steady wind. I took lots of photos and walked through the cemetary silently thanking all those who gave more than they had to bring Freedom for the rest of us.
Next we went to see some of the pill boxes at Point-Du-Hoc where the Rangers landed and scaled the cliffs to take the beachhead. Amazing what these men were able to overcome and the terror that must have filled the beaches that day encompasses my ability for reason. I also felt for the German soldiers who may have been fighting merely because they had to do it. After researching online about the gravesites I found that there are also 55,000 Germans buried in Normandy.
Although Jules wanted to camp and was talking about it all weekend the cold weather and idea of another hot meal sounded better. Not to mention we only had a 2 man tent that we had planned on squeezing 3 was no longer large enough to accomodate our new friend and travel companion. That night in Bayeaux was really nice as well, we made some turkey saltimbocca as best as possible in the small kitchen and next up was cold vegtable salad of garlic, onions, potatoes, green beans, parsley, lemon juice, and olive oil. We had enough so that Jules could have it for breakfast as well. We polished that off and had some drinks and played cards all the while talking and some serious laughing thanks to Jules. She was full of some random blurts that made us keel over on our sides. I would tell you some of them but they would not make any sense to you as they were from another language.
Sunday we returned to Caen and dropped the car off, parking of course before we had filled the thing up with gas. Back into the car and off to find gas. We stopped to ask a man who had parked across the street from us and it ended up being a hilarious exchange between him and myself. He was saying that I needed to go up maybe 1 or 2 lights, oh I don't know maybe 3 or 4 and there might be one, if it's open today. If not then come back down and there is one going out of the city, not sure exactly where, if it's open. Then he proceeded to do it all over again and the whole time making little comments. It took about 2 and a half minuted for him to go through it all with us and then we headed in the direction he pointed to from the start. No kidding it was 20 seconds down the road and there was a BP right in the middle of the road, we laughed hard again.
That afternoon we went to the War Museum in Cannes which is really nice and has a great exhibit. It is 15.50 to get in, and that is the reduced price as well, but we forked it over and went in to check it out. The museum reflects on both sides of the coin giving descriptions from the Allies and also the German's. We watched the movie on the D-Day invasion that is split screen and shows the events of the Allies and the Germans simultaneously. I highly recommend this museum to anyone wanting to learn more about WWII and the Holocaust. I purchased some postcards as well to bring back for my Father.
We hopped the train to Paris and Chris who was going to Amsterdam the following day decided to just come back to Paris a day early and stay with us. Anna decided to stay in Paris as well and I think that Chris is actually now staying an extra day with her to go to Versailles today. I will keep all of you posted on the romantic liasons that may ensue. He is currently living in Sydney and offered me a free bed when I come down after graduation.
In summary this weekend was a nice little escape from the reality that I am leaving soon and I have met a new friend along the way that I plan on seeing again someday soon down the road.