I cannot believe how quickly time passes. There has been so much going on that it is hard to find time to get online and update with exams etc... but the longer I wait, the more I have to report, so let's start with last weekend:
We started the day meeting at the gare for our first stop: Le memorial de Caen. This exhibit reminded me much of the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. It was a very emotional presentation of the events of WWII and leading up to it. When you enter the first exhibit you find yourself in a long winding staircase that brings you through the events of WWI, the rise of Fascism, and WWII. At the bottom you are dropped into a series of rooms with videos, sound clips, and artifacts from the war, again, much like the Holocaust Museum. There was a very interesting film that we watched while we were there as well. The direction made it easy for anyone to imagine what it must have looked like during battle. The screen was split in half showing the allied and axis forces preparing for battle and during. The film went through the events of D-day and liberation chronologically showing explicitly who won, who fought, the dates of battles, and what the villages looked like before and after the war. The last exhibit we visited was of Peace. In the series of rooms were portraits of different cultures and their perceptions and practices of peace. There were other parts dedicated to movements for peace, like the Civil Rights Movement, and organizations whose missions involved that of peace.
After, we ate lunch at the museum and headed for Bayeux. We immediately made our way to the Bayeux Tapestry, one of the oldest relics of the medieval time period. The tapestry was used in the Notre Dame de Bayeux and recalled the histoire of the Conquest of England by William the duke of Normandy and the King of England sending away Harold. After seeing the 70 meter long Tapestry (actually not a tapestry but an embroidery) we went to our hotel for a long, amazing dinner and a relaxing evening.
In the morning, we left for the D-day beaches. It was so different actually standing on the beaches and seeing where history took place. We started at Arromnches, went to Omaha and the American Cemetery, then to Pointe du Hoc, and Sainte-Mere Eglise. It is so difficult to explain the emotion felt at each location and at the American Cemetery to see a representation of all the soldiers who lost their lives fighting so young in WWII. (look at my slide show on the right for more description and photos)
After eating lunch at Sainte-Mere Eglise, we went to le Mont Saint Michel. After dropping off our bags at the hotel on le Mont Saint Michel, we went exploring. We stayed out a long time taking photos etc. and watched the sunset on the ledge of the fortress walls. After taking in the Majesty we went exploring more before the dinner bell rang. We found passage that led to the beach front, and of course took the path disregarding the danger signs along the way. After sitting on the rocks and watching the birds fly, we decided to go onto the clay and explore the secret passage ways we were curious to find. While we found many doors and coves that satisfied our need to seek secret passage ways, the most interesting thing we found was a small chapel just off the island. Needing to climb quite precarious steps to reach its summit, we carefully took the challenge. We took many photos, peered into the foggy window, to see nothing because of the darkness, and left when we became frightened. When asking about the chapel the next day on the tour, our guide told us it's legend: When le Cathedrale de Saint Michel was being built, a huge piece of rock fell down from the site of the new cathedrale. Believing this was a sign from God, the workers quickly built a small chapel in which to pray in before and after working. Interesting isn't it?
That night, we ate an exquisite 5 course meal and walked around the fortress star-gazing after the 3 hour event. In the morning we watched the sun rise at 7:30, ate 3 course breakfast and met our tour guide. We learned so many interesting facts about le Mont and it was very neat to see the different architecture used that we have been learning about in class. It was really a magical trip.
I am so glad to be here, as I write I am filled with excitement over the next few weeks in all of the events coming up: Spring Break, Paris, and Senegal. Before you know though I will be home again in Washington and as much as I am excited to go back home, I am more triste that I am leaving France. But I will keep enjoying it as I am here. I just watched a rough rugby game, France lost to England, not good (for the French) ... but France really needs to work on defense... history repeats itself once again. Today I went to the Gare and bought my train tickets for spring break. I am staying in Nice but traveling to Corsia, Marseilles, and Arles from there tout seul. Very excited should be a good time. I will update after Spring Break et Paris. until then!
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