Tomorrow, we leave Normandy and though the children are happy (because this signals getting ready to head for the airport and home - we spend one night in Paris before the flight home on Saturday), I will be very sad to leave Normandy. We have had good weather, met delightful people, and seen some amazing sites. The blend of agriculture and beach is about as close to bliss as I can imagine.
Today, we fit in the few things we had been saying we 'need to do before we leave.' John will write that blog on the train tomorrow. The pictures are: the German cemetery (which they have worked hard to make a statement for peace and not to glorify the evil of the Third Reich - there were some young German volunteers there caring for it, scrubbing the markers, etc. while we were there - it was really touching), a peace statue along the road between the D Day sites, Ben climbing in a bunker at Point du Hoc, the awesome French sign to be referenced below, and a memorial at Omaha Beach.
Here are some of the reasons I love France:
1. The people love and enjoy children and go to great lengths for them. The hot dog from yesterday is a great example of them doing something for a child that they wouldn't otherwise do. Tonight at the rather upscale restaurant where we ate, they allowed the kids to order food from the mid-day menu. Museums (particularly those in Paris) are free for kids under 18, the Bayeux tapestry has a special recording just for kids... the list could go on.
2. Flowers and trees - the French are serious about their gardening, even in the city. There are flowers everywhere here in Bayeux (windowboxes and planters on the light poles etc.), and in Paris there were also plenty of flowers and gardens. I love that they take the time to just make things beautiful. As John said this morning about a lovely tree-lined (and well manicured at that) path to the German cemetery, you would never find this in the US because no one would want their tax money going to it and you can't make a profit off of it.
3. Appreciation for 'quality of life' - as noted above, the French don't impose the 'what does this do for me' standard when making decisions. And the pace of life, even in Paris, is generally much slower. They take time to greet each other, slow down meals, and generally worry about the pleasantries of life. Normandy is an excellent example of their desire to preserve history, do it in a lovely way, and not worry about the profits or taxes. There are miles of farm land right next to beaches that you would never see in the US ('why waste that space where we could make money?'). And the citizens of tiny towns have spent their own money erecting little monuments to ensure that the lessons of World War II do not get forgotten. It is clear that they care about things unrelated to the Euro.
4. Patisseries and amazing desserts - profiteroles will be tough to give up for Alexa; for me, it will be the amazing bread (particularly with butter, swiss cheese, and 'jambon' - ham - in yummy sandwiches) and pain chocolat (chocolate croissants), and for Ben... well lets just say we need to make sure we keep buying baguettes at home or else he might starve when we get back.
Here are some great ideas we could use, if you ask me:
1. Tasteful signs that depict (in shades of brown) the historic attractions at exits of the highway. One of these is pictured above. They were helpful and tasteful.
2. Marked 'spaces' in front of the gas pumps indicating where you should (and should not) park your car to fill up (it really cuts down on the people who block two pumps).
3. Little areas around grave markers that are filled with smooth, small gravel - gives families a place to put flowers and eliminates the need to trim around the markers... the mower can easily pass over these.
4. Dual flush toilets - almost every toilet here has had two push buttons - one for when you need to use less water.
5. Small cars - cute, easy to maneuver in the narrow streets, and economical
I'm sure I'll think of others, but I'm tired and its time for bed....
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