bayeux and d-day

I have two days to fill you in on!!
The first was our excursion yesterday to Bayeux to see France's famous tapestries! Now, I was pretty skeptical about this trip and thought about staying behind because tapestries just don't sound too exciting, but it was short and I feel more educated at least.

The tapestry is basically like one long tablecloth (about a football field long) which has been put behind glass and each scene is numbered so you can follow along with your walkie talkie. Pictures weren't allowed so I won't be posting any, but you can google them. It chronicled William the Conquerer and the Norman invasion of England and was quite interesting...especially the random naked figures on the bottom border.

Also in Bayeux we toured the cathedral and had eclairs. The church was probably my favorite one I've been inside on the trip. There was even a 'lost crypt' featured in the sanctuary. Brittany and I are still trying to figure out how it got lost since it's been under the cathedral since it was originally built. The architecture is mind-blowing since it's so intricate and tall and symmetrical. I actually read the cathedrals were built to mirror a 'well-ordered' soul. I'm still working on that part...

The Cathedral:


An awkward self-timer shot...a french man was not happy he had to stand and wait for 10 seconds:


My first french eclair!! SO GOOD:


Today's last big trip in Normandy was to the American Memorial Cemetary and Pointe du Hoc. We have our mid-terms tomorrow morning and then are moving to the south on Saturday. I am SO excited for hot weather and the Mediterranean, but I know I'm going to miss this little town and the beach.

Anyway, the beaches today were beautiful. There were definitely two different moods at the two memorials. Our first stop was the cemetary so of course everyone was silent and very reverent. It was kind of eerie to be there and to enjoy walking on a beach where so many people died, but it was also cool to see how our veterans are well remembered even in another country.

The beach:


The cemetary:


Sweeeeeeet lily pool:


Our second stop at Pointe du Hoc was much more family-friendly and there were kids everywhere screaming and playing in the craters. Morbid, I know...
The cliffs were an attack point for the Army Ranger Assault Group and looking at those cliffs I was amazed at how they could be so successful and persistent in scaling them with just ropes.

The cliffs:


A crazy child:


Max as 'the bomb':


I'm not sure when my next post will be since I'm expecting our move to be CRAZY, but I'll try not to miss too many days. The 28 of us will be taking a bus to Deauville, a bus to Paris, and then a train to Avignon and another car ride to our villa. Oh boy...another embarassing parade.

Mom, Dad, Tina, Carly, and Jordan: I miss you and love you all :)

Currently listening to: I Want You by Kings of Leon
Au Revoir!

xoxo
Caitlin
caitlinboyd72@gmail.com