Storming the Beaches of Normandy

So this past weekend we had our second trip as a group. Much shorter, only 3 ish days, but still a different hotel both nights. I can't complain though, Cori let me have the big bed all to myself the second night, and if you know me at all, you know that's a huge deal. I can't share beds with people. I just don't ever sleep.

We were traveling up to the Northern coast of France, and we made a few stops along the way. The first day we stopped at Monet's gardens in Giverny, which is pretty much the new place I want to move to. It's gotta be there or Benac. Apparently I can't live in the U.S. Sorry Mom!

But seriously. Look at this place.

Does it GET any prettier than that?

Me and Cori in front of the iconic bridge

It was seriously so amazing being there. So surreal, and so beautiful. I loved his house too, it was the cutest little old fashioned house, and it still had all the same furniture in it! There were pictures of him standing in the exact rooms we were standing in. So cool. I really like Monet, in case you didn't know.

After Giverny, we went to Rouen (I think) to visit the place where Jeanne D'Arc (Joan of Arc) was burned at the stake. My professor is nuts about Joan. She was his first "girlfriend" when he was little, and we were expecting some waterworks. Unfortunately, there weren't any, or at least any that he let us see. We walked in the square where she was actually burned, and went to this weird little wax museum with creepy mannequins. It was bizarre but it was very informational, which was nice because I had forgotten a lot of the story. We walked around the town, got lunch, I ate a chocolate chip cookie with a huge nutella blob in the middle, and then we got back on the bus to go to see some ruins. I did not see the ruins. While we were out walking around Rouen, we met these medical students dressed in crazy outfits trying to raise money by selling treats. My professor gave them some money, and then hardly anyone took anything from them so I decided to be not awkward and take a nutella crepe. I never thought I'd say this, but I had too much nutella. I was almost certain I was going to throw up at any moment. So, when everyone else went to see the ruins and whatever else was in the next town, I sat on the bus with Cori, drinking Sydney's water and chewing Sydney's gum to prevent myself from barfing. Wouldn't that have been a story.
P.S. Thanks Mama Syd for taking such good care of me :)
That day it was also Nateybabe's birthday, so we all sang to him at dinner and cute things like that.

The next day we went to see the Bayeux tapestry (giggle...it's actually an embroidery!) where I had to do homework. I didn't like that. Moving on.

After the tapestry, it was WAR DAY. We went to 5 sites that were centered around D-Day from WWII. We visited Omaha beach where the failed invasion took place, the U.S. memorial and cemetery, "pillbox" bunkers, and Point du Hoc which is where there are still giant craters from bombs. It was an extremely emotional day. The cemetery was the best/worst/most emotional part.

Thanks for the picture Annie :)

This cemetery is really interesting because it is entirely dedicated to the U.S. soldiers who lost their lives while fighting the D-Day battle, whether it was on the beach or in the process of making their way to Paris. It is huge. While you are looking at one part of it, you think you've seen a lot, and then you look from another perspective and it just goes on and on. So sad. Being there made me think about how those guys were my age, and my guy friends' ages, and how much I would miss them if they were gone. It was amazing to see how many brave men gave their lives for the French, and the French really appreciate it. They take such good care of this memorial, and it was lovely to see an American flag flying in this other great country. I really lost it when I saw the crosses with no name on them. It's so sad that someone's brother, or son, or nephew, or boyfriend, or husband went unknown, but they had the sweetest message written for them:

"Here rests in honored glory a comrade in arms known but to God"
Thanks again to Annie for the pic :)

Being at that cemetery and seeing how many lives were lost made me really grateful for the plan of salvation as well. Sometimes it's hard to be faithful and a dilligent Latter-Day Saint, but the thing that gives me hope and keeps me going is the plan of salvation. I have more faith in that than anything else, and it gave me a little peace at such a sad place.

The next day we went to another D-Day museum where we saw a cool movie and lots of informational exhibits. It was kind of overwhelming but I learned a lot! After that, we went to a Fromagerie (cheese factory) where we saw how they made their cheese. Normandy is known for its cheese, and let me tell you, they live up to their reputation. They let us try some at the end, and oh my word. I just love cheese. I definitely bought some, and it was in the shape of a heart :)

Overall, an amazing trip. I'm looking forward to the next ones!