They arrived on Monday afternoon and unfortunately it was a rainy day so we just relaxed and caught up that evening.
On Tuesday, the touring began! Our first day of touring was in Annecy, which is extra special on Tuesdays because they have a market in the village every Tuesday morning. It is always more lively in the village when the market is going on. It is fun to walk through and see all of the fresh produce, abundant olive selection, and fresh meat (including whole chickens that still have their head attached). After walking through the market, we enjoyed lunch along the canal and walked along the lake.
Eliza loving her special time with Grandpa and Grandma-
First time EVER using an ATM machine!!!
On Wednesday, we went on the 'Switzerland tour', Gruyere and Lutry. In Gruyere, we toured the castle, which was constructed in the 13th century. The castle towers over the town and valley below. After spending some time in the village of Gruyere, we had lunch at the cheese factory. After enjoying a very tasty lunch, all of which included Gruyere cheese, our next stop was to visit the vineyards. We rode the Lavaux Express train through the vineyards. After a long day of touring, we went back to Geneva.
Gruyere
My dad found his room in the castle- "The Hunting Room"
Thursday, the 'tour bus' went to Chamonix. It was the most beautiful day, clear blue skies, you could see miles away. Unfortunately, Wayne was the only brave one who took the cable car up to the top of Mt. Blanc. The rest of us took the easier route, the train that takes you to Montenvers. In the afternoon, we walked around the village.
Friday, we all set out on the big adventure, visiting Normandy. My grandfather was a soldier in World War II in Patton's 3rd Army and landed on Utah Beach after D-Day. I was very close to my grandpa and since the war was such a big part of his life, visiting Normandy was always on the top of my travel wish list, so it made sense to go there when my dad and aunt were here. From Geneva, Normandy is only a 6 hour train ride, which is such a great way to travel. We left Friday morning and arrived Friday afternoon in Caen, which is the capital of the Normandy region. Unfortunately, during Word War II, an intense bombing operation occurred in Caen and 75% of the city was destroyed and 2,000 french civilians died. We were all surprised at how large the city was and how much had been rebuilt. We spent the afternoon walking around the city and touring the cathedral and castle.
Saturday was our big tour day. We hired a tour guide for the day, which was definitely worth every penny. Our guide, Richard, had so much knowledge and was able to bring us everywhere we wanted to visit. Chris had interviewed my grandpa before he passed away about the war and taped it, so over Christmas, we re-listened to the tape and learned exactly where he was and what he did in the war. This helped us a lot as we prepared for our visit.
Eliza helping out our tour guide!
Our first stop was Utah Beach, which is where my grandpa arrived. It was surreal to be walking along the beach that had endured so much during the war.
From Utah Beach, we headed to Nehou, which is a small town that has a memorial dedicated to Patton's 3rd Army.
Sherman Tank used by Patton's 3rd Army
After Nehou, we went to Sainte-Mere Eglise. They were the first town in France to be liberated by the U.S. We were all very surprised as we drove along on our tour to see the amount of U.S. flags that fly alongside the French flag.
Church in Sainte-Mere-Eglise with the Parachute Memorial to honor the Paratroopers who liberated the village-
Next, we headed to Pointe Du Hoc. This is the point between Utah and Omaha Beach where U.S. Army Rangers arrived and took assault on Pointe Du Hoc. The rangers had to climb 100ft cliffs under enemy fire in hopes to disable the German guns.
The cliff the rangers had to climb-
It was unbelievable to see the impact the bombs had on the landscape-
this is Adalyn standing in a crater formed.
Looking out from an actual German Bunker onto the beaches-
Standing inside a bunker-
We then went to Omaha Beach and were able to see where the most intense fighting on D-Day took place. Looking out onto the calm sandy beach, it was hard to imagine the sheer hell these men endured on D-Day.
Our last stop was at the American Cemetery. In the cemetery, there are 9,387 headstones, including 45 sets of brothers. It was overwhelming to see the amount of headstones and read the dates- many were on D-Day or very shortly after.
This sculpture "Les Braves" was created on Omaha Beach by Anilore Banon to
honor the courage of the men. It consists of three elements-
1) The Wings of Hope- reminding us that together it is always possible to change the future
2) Rise, Freedom! - Help us to remember to remain standing strong against all forms of inhumanity
3) The Wings of Fraternity- Reminding us of our responsibility towards others as well as ourselves-
on June 6, 1944 these men were more than soldiers, they were our brothers.
Our last stop was at the American Cemetery. In the cemetery, there are 9,387 headstones, including 45 sets of brothers. It was overwhelming to see the amount of headstones and read the dates- many were on D-Day or very shortly after.
The land where the American Cemetery lies has been leased by the French to the U.S. for a ceremonial $1 per year for eternity.
American Cemetery
After 9 hours with our guide, we had learned so much about the war and were able to really see the conditions in which the soldiers fought. You learn about D-Day in school, but it doesn't have nearly the same impact as being on the same ground that the troops fought on. It is hard to describe in words the feelings that I had throughout the day- you feel a great deal of sorrow for all of the men who fought, yet at the same time so much pride in America and the men who sacrificed their lives to fight for the freedom of people they had never met on a continent an ocean away. It was special to share the experience with my family, especially my dad and aunt, as we retraced the steps that my grandpa had taken over 70 years ago.
Sunday, we took the train back to Geneva and my parents and aunt and uncle stopped in Paris for an overnight visit. They were able to take the bus tour around the city and see a majority of the sites.
Monday night, they arrived back in Geneva.
Tuesday was the last day of their trip. It was a beautiful, very warm day, so we spent the day down by Lake Geneva. We were able to tour Old Town, walk along the lake, and take a boat cruise. It was a relaxing day to end their busy ten day trip.
Sadly, our 'visiting season' has come to an end. We have had such a great time hosting different people during the last four months. Now, in one month, we will be back in MN visiting friends and family and look forward to people hosting us!!!
