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Published: June 22nd 2009
Ev at a WWII gunners bunker
An old german gunning point at Omaha BeachAfter work Thursday we started our France Adventure to Normandy and on Friday evening we ventured out to Paris for the Air Show. So right down to it.
Normandy Our visit to Normandy was perhaps the most moving, heartfelt, exhilarating, exhausting, emotional place I have ever visited. Sitting on the Omaha Beach with Evan, staring back at the American Flag on top of the Ravine, reminded me so vividly of just how blessed I am. It is the sacrifice of more than 9000 U.S. soldiers, with many other soldiers from other countries, that quite frankly provided for us the free world we have today. Standing on the shore where many young men didn’t even make it off the boat was almost too much to take in. Seeing the beach, and the impossibly long way they had to make it to the embankment, just captured the incredible courage and commitment these soldiers had to our country. The American Cemetery was also peaceful but sorrowing, what a contrast that prevailed throughout the entire visit. The cemetery is full of white cross gravestones, perfectly in line, and stretching for all of eyes sight in every direction. It is hard to
grasp the enormity of these casualties… but also the personality of these men. A few of the graves were to an unknown soldier, and it is sorrowing to me that their sacrifice might be forgotten, or might be passed by.
All in all, I hope to be a changed person because of this. I know I am, an I hope that it is evident in the way I live my life. That’s the only way we can honors these brave men, is by living life to the fullest and taking advantage of ever opportunity that presents itself, and not being afraid to forge new ones.
Paris We arrived late in the evening Friday, and the area we were staying at was pretty industrial so there wasn’t much open. We eventually found a really nice hotel manager who offered to make us food, we were ever grateful. Saturday morning we ventured out to Le Bourget for the Paris Air Show. There were tons of people everywhere, and as an Aero this was a pinnacle place to be and to see so many people excited about flight!
The highlights of the flight show included:
Helicopter - Helicopter
It really upside down... I have never seen something this crazy in my life. This helicopter did a full flip/somersault. I didn’t know helicopters had that much control power. It was arguably the most impressive thing I saw.
Eurofighter- Finally got to see the fighter in action. It was flashing its afterburners, and was doing some pretty neat climbs, dives, and rolls.
F15,F16,F18- America’s Pride and Joy. Enough Said. Didn’t get to see the F22 unfortunately.
A380- This is a HUGE passenger jet, and et it is ultra quiet and flew very, very smoothly.
Historic Planes- I lumped these together, but because it was the 100th anniversary of the show, the organizers brought in all sorts of older planes detailing the advancement of aviation throughout the past 100 years(got to see some old WWII bombers, some old training planes, a bi-wing or two, etc).
Despite the fact that it rained we managed to have a pretty great time and I am glad we went. Getting out of the show was a disaster, due to communication problems we ended up taking a bus to the wrong place and lost at least an hour. But c’est la vie…. The rest
A T for Tech
Formation Flying of Friday just got much better afterwards.
Dinner in Paris and the Eiffel Tower Evan took me out to dinner in Paris. We found this neat little Italian place, where they had amazing pasta(I got more gnocchi with tomato pesto, and it was delicious). Afterwards we found our way to the Eiffel Tower- it was absolutely beautiful at night. We didn’t go up but we stood under and pretzel(our signature), and hung out in the little park for a while. Afterwards Ev took us out to a bistro for dessert - hot chocolate and ice cream. C’est bon! It was an absolutely wonderful ending to a great day.
Notre Dame and Versailles Sunday morning we ventured out to Notre Dame Cathedral. An absolutely beautiful church, and amazing how much time, effort, and money it took to construct. We quickly made our way
Out o the city to Versailles, and only had time to go through the gardens. These gardens were gorgeous. There were fountains of various shapes, sizes, and elements. There was even a pond maybe a mile from the beginning of the garden that had people in ti boats in them. Versailles was
certainly extravagant!
And then the week had to end, and I’m back in Brussels. I’m so glad Evan made it out here, it was so nice to experience some new exciting countries and cities with him. I love Europe, but I can’t wait ‘til August.
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Diane
non-member comment
Normandy
The D-Day celebrations here were quite stirring too. The last of the Bedford Boys died only recently, and one can guess that many of the WWII vets who came for this 65th anniversary won't be here for the 70th. So it was very special. If you go to Paris again, be sure to have a meal at Le Souffle...just down the street from the Ritz. Have fun! XXX Diane