I started out the day checking out the 1000 year old, 70 meter long Bayeux tapestry. Definitely intersting but the highlight of the day was really the beaches of Normandy.
Ok, so I arrived in Bayeux, France late at nigh and walked the streets of the sleeping town of 10,000 on a very pleasant February evening. The town of bayeux is kind of a jumping off point to tour the beaches of Normandy.
Although very few people in Europe have been rude to me becaus I am American this place Bayeux was unbelievable. Nowhere else in Europe besides hotel lobbys and bars (we are known for tipping) have I been treated especially nice because I am American. This was a pleasant surprise. It is clear that these people still remember the courage and sacrifice of American soldiers.
For example, I was on the Bus to the Ameican Cemetery. I bought the wrong bus ticket which would have set me a couple stops short of where I needed to be. When I asked to pay the additional charges to get there, the bus driver started to ring up the ticket. Then he asked me if I was American. I said yes. He then stopped and waved me back in the Bus without taking any payment. I know it was just a small gesture but it meant a lot to me. I am proud to be American becausw I believe in what we stand for and I am pround of most of what we have done throughout history. And at a time when much of the world (and especially europe (and especially France)) is very much in disagreement with America, it was just really special to be treated with such honor and kindness, regardless of how small the act.
So I finally arrive.
On the Bluffs overlooking Omaha Beach, the clouds move swiftly overhead bringing periods of intermitent sunshine. A cool 50 degree breeze steadily blows in from the sea. Slowly I pace down the path amidst the 10,000 deceased. I step off the gravel walkway onto the green grass into the fields of white crosses. I walk down one aisle reading the names and states. I come to a grave marked "Only God Knows". And in that moment, I realize that this man gave his life to defend what is right, recieving nothing in return but an anonymous grave in a foreign country. The clock strikes the hour, "Amazing Grace" and then "God Bless America" chime from the lone bell tower, sounding across the grass and graves and fading beyond the bluffs. I look out to the sea, to the cliffs, to the Flag, and back to the anonymous grave. The reality of the courage and sarcifice lying at my feet is overwhelming and I can't help but get choked up.
I walked down to the beach, waves crashing and bluffs overhead. I imagine the boats hitting the shallow water...the latches opening. I imagine myself in the boat. I wonder if I would have what it takes.
Due to the extra time on the beach I missed my bus back to Bayeux. But I saw a sign that said Bayeux so I started walking towards it, full size back pack and all. After a while of making my way through the beautiful french countryside, it became quite clear that it was longer than I thought. Actually, “didn’t think” is a more appropriate word choice. So I decided that hitchhiking might be a cool idea if it would work. It took a while but an extremely nice couple from Paris drove by and then stopped about 50 meters ahead. The actually spoke pretty good english. They wanted to visit one more site before they headed in the direction of Bayeux so we visited a look out point on west side of Omaha Beach together. From their they drove me back to Bayeux which was really out of their way. I guess I had always wanted to hitchhike so it wa pretty cool to actually get the chance to do it, especially with such nice company and scenery.
Ok, so I arrived in Bayeux, France late at nigh and walked the streets of the sleeping town of 10,000 on a very pleasant February evening. The town of bayeux is kind of a jumping off point to tour the beaches of Normandy.
Although very few people in Europe have been rude to me becaus I am American this place Bayeux was unbelievable. Nowhere else in Europe besides hotel lobbys and bars (we are known for tipping) have I been treated especially nice because I am American. This was a pleasant surprise. It is clear that these people still remember the courage and sacrifice of American soldiers.
For example, I was on the Bus to the Ameican Cemetery. I bought the wrong bus ticket which would have set me a couple stops short of where I needed to be. When I asked to pay the additional charges to get there, the bus driver started to ring up the ticket. Then he asked me if I was American. I said yes. He then stopped and waved me back in the Bus without taking any payment. I know it was just a small gesture but it meant a lot to me. I am proud to be American becausw I believe in what we stand for and I am pround of most of what we have done throughout history. And at a time when much of the world (and especially europe (and especially France)) is very much in disagreement with America, it was just really special to be treated with such honor and kindness, regardless of how small the act.
So I finally arrive.
On the Bluffs overlooking Omaha Beach, the clouds move swiftly overhead bringing periods of intermitent sunshine. A cool 50 degree breeze steadily blows in from the sea. Slowly I pace down the path amidst the 10,000 deceased. I step off the gravel walkway onto the green grass into the fields of white crosses. I walk down one aisle reading the names and states. I come to a grave marked "Only God Knows". And in that moment, I realize that this man gave his life to defend what is right, recieving nothing in return but an anonymous grave in a foreign country. The clock strikes the hour, "Amazing Grace" and then "God Bless America" chime from the lone bell tower, sounding across the grass and graves and fading beyond the bluffs. I look out to the sea, to the cliffs, to the Flag, and back to the anonymous grave. The reality of the courage and sarcifice lying at my feet is overwhelming and I can't help but get choked up.
I walked down to the beach, waves crashing and bluffs overhead. I imagine the boats hitting the shallow water...the latches opening. I imagine myself in the boat. I wonder if I would have what it takes.
Due to the extra time on the beach I missed my bus back to Bayeux. But I saw a sign that said Bayeux so I started walking towards it, full size back pack and all. After a while of making my way through the beautiful french countryside, it became quite clear that it was longer than I thought. Actually, “didn’t think” is a more appropriate word choice. So I decided that hitchhiking might be a cool idea if it would work. It took a while but an extremely nice couple from Paris drove by and then stopped about 50 meters ahead. The actually spoke pretty good english. They wanted to visit one more site before they headed in the direction of Bayeux so we visited a look out point on west side of Omaha Beach together. From their they drove me back to Bayeux which was really out of their way. I guess I had always wanted to hitchhike so it wa pretty cool to actually get the chance to do it, especially with such nice company and scenery.
posted by Steven Dragan at 2:39 PM
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