The Normandy Beaches

     Today we traveled by nearly all transportation means possible except donkey, but I did see one! Dad and I started the day by walking to the closest bus stop and paying 1,10 Euros for each ticket. We took the bus to Gare St. Lazare, one of the only stations that has TGV (TGV is said TE-GE-VE and is the French bullet train) trains to northern France. After someone finally helped us figure out where to go, we purchased two billets (tickets) to Deauville and headed to platform 25 to find the train. The ride was nearly an hour and a half before our train change in Lissex. The little old lady in our train compartment only spoke French but allowed me to speak with her and practice my French skills. She spoke very very quickly but I did pick up some French and it was good practice! Just over 5 minutes before we were to get off the train to switch to the next one, she made dad and I follow her into the hallway where two train cars are connected and wait for the train to stop. As the three of us are getting thrown around in the hallway, she is pacing back and forth, muttering in French and trying to figure out which side the platform will be on. During her pacing, the train jolted to a quick stop and she got thrown into Dad's belly, bounced off and was completely disoriented. It was literally all I could do not to burst out in laughter! Neither the little old lady or dad could say anything to each other because they couldn't understand each other. All dad could say was "Mercy" which I think he was meaning "merci"! All in all, an interesting trip!

          Once off the train, we found a taxi and our driver spoke some English but mostly French. It also was good practice to talk to him! He talked slower and helped me phrase sentences together when I did not know what to say. He took us all the way over to see the "mulberries" also known as the Arromanches, the American Military Cemetery and from there we could over look Omaha Beach. 

Arromanches "Mulberries"

Grumpy pants on his field trip! He was extremely excited to be there besides his expression in the photo!

Houses along the coastline.

Dad reading the plaques along the docking station and cannon statue.

Arromanches far out in the water.

American Military Cemetery

These last two photos are views from the American Military Cemetery and they are over looking part of Omaha Beach. (La plage d'Omaha)

          After touring for a while, our taxi driver got us back to the train station in Deauville with 9 minutes to spare and dad and I settled in for the 2 hour ride back. Once we got back to the city, dad and I each had to pay 0.50 Euros to go to the bathroom! Mildly ridiculous, but had to be done! 

         We saw a McDonalds on our way back to the train station and of course had to make a pit stop for supper. Instead of ordering at a counter, we ordered at a touch screen kiosk and then picked up our order at the counter as soon as we were done. Dad ordered a McFarmer :) We were starving and ate quickly! We then headed to the bus stop and I got a phone call from mom saying that Cali's Readers Theater group received a 1 at districts this morning and will be advancing to state! On the bus ride home dad and I were able to see more of the night life in Paris. We saw the Eiffel Tower all lit up and the Seine River with all kinds of people walking across its bridges and the Louvre Pyramid too! Beautiful!

          Tomorrow we plan to tour the city! Dad is wanting to hit all of the big sights like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre and whatever else we can find! Should be a great way to start learning my way around the city and I will be able to show you all the beautiful French architecture here in Paris with the pictures I take!