Day 7 (part 2): Strasbourg France
We left Switzerland and moved on to France. We started in Strasbourg for the evening. When we arrived, we checked into our hotel and then walked around Old Town Strasbourg and had dinner there. I have to say, in 37 years since I graduated high school, I’ve really never had an opportunity to use my high school French. In Switzerland, most people spoke English. In Strasbourg, it seems only some do, and it’s very broken English. Our waiter did not speak any English . Mrs. Yoshioka would be proud that I was able to order my dinner and tell the waiter that the food was good. It was actually kind of fun to challenge myself and to not worry about how I might sound.
On the French train. Not as nice as the Swiss one, but more comfortable seats
A castle on a hill from the train
A church in Old Town Strasbourg
When you’re the wife and mother a first responders, you take photos of emergency vehicles
Double decker carousel
Like a fairy tale
Stan’s dinner was a pork filet with spatzle
I had a steak with butter and potatoes
It was unreal sitting outside in France enjoying our wine and dinner. These particular building were built in the 1600s
The view from my seat.
We were able to sleep in a bit and they got up and had breakfast outside at the patisserie across the street. Croissants and cafe at lait for us. Afterwards, we walked around old town a bit. I was beautiful in the mornings, with less crowds.
Soon, it was time to head back to the train station and head to our next stop, Normandy. All trains in France make a connection in Paris, so we got there and had to change stations. Neither Stan nor I liked Paris. It was crowded, stinky, and the people were a bit strange, not to mention rude. So, we took a taxi straight to the connecting station.
We connected without difficulty and took the train to our French destination of Bayeux, which is in the Normandy region.
Day 9: Normandy Tour
This was Stan’s day. One of his “must-dos” on our trip was to visit the Normandy region, so we decided to do a Band of Brothers Tour. It was absolutely amazing and we learned a lot. Here are some highlights:
Monument at Omaha Beach
Omaha Beach was the beach that suffered the worst on D-Day. The beach was covered in mines and obstacles, and that along with the weather conditions made it difficult for the Americans to gain control of the beach.
Point du Hoc is where US Army Rangers scaled a 100 foot cliff and seized and overtook Nazi artillery. This allowed Americans and allies to advance on French soil. The Germans were not prepared for Americans to attack at his point and had moved mostly south of this point.
A Nazi bunker overlooking Omaha Beach
This is where they hid their cannon.
Point du Hoc Memorial
The next stop was the Airborn Museum
These are pants worn by the POWs taken by Germany. I took thi photo in honor of Stan’s uncle, who was captured by the Germans and served in a POW camp in Germany.
Set Mere Eglise is a village church where paratrooper John Steele got caught. He pretended to be dead for two hours, but was eventually captured by the Germans and taken prisoner. He escaped the POW camp and rejoined his regiment
General Eisenhower statue.
Utah Beach, where out of 23,000 troops, only 197 men were killed or wounded. This area is three miles long. This was considered a success as the Americans were able to get control of the area in France.
This small church was used as a hospital in the war.
There are ancient stained glass windows, but they added this one to the window directly in back of the church
Blood stained pew from wounded soldiers and civilians who sought medical care in the church
The American Cemetary in Normandy (there was a charity bike ride that day so there was a ton of bikers paying their respects)
The only soldiers allowed to be buried at this cemetery are those who fought and died in France during WW2. 9,389 men and women are buried there.
We said goodbye to our wonderful BnB host and took the train to Paris, then transferred to another station, and left France for our next destination, the Netherlands. Here are some photos from Bayeux:
Looking down a neighborhood street in Bayeux.
The houses are all closed up with gates and tall walls. Most of them hundreds of years old.
Our BnB was newer, but very nice.
Downtown Bayeux
When in France, you must try mousse au chocolat
Just a little church we passed on our way to dinner
The train we took to Rotterdam.
- Paris was a definite two thumbs down from both of us. It’s as stinky and crowded and the people were so rude. I honestly don’t know what the appeal is to everyone.
-Bayeux/Normandy region was a two thumbs up. It was peaceful French countryside. Beautiful turquoise waters and full of history.
-The food there was not so great. Granted, we did not try the seafood or anything, but we weren’t thrilled. Except for the bread….. Food was also cheaper there than the US
-I would not choose to go back to Paris, but I would 100% go back to Normandy if I could avoid Paris. I would also love to try the wine regions.
Very cool!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous experience.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting.
ReplyDelete