Normandy and Giverny

Yesterday morning we left our bed and breakfast and headed to Omaha Beach. We were at 1/4 tank of gas and the options were looking pretty grim. We made it to the first site, but we were both so worried about finding gas that we couldn't enjoy it. On our way to the bigger city of Bayeux we tried a few places that the gps recognized as stations. They were so old and with it being good Friday we were out of luck. We found a real station and filled up with probabably 1/8 of a tank and it was going quick. Terrible feeling. After doing a celebratory dance, back to the beaches. We started at the visitor center of The American Cemetery. This facilty was really well done and it was educational as well as emotional. We walked out into the cemetery. Words don't really describe what we felt like. We then walked down to the beach. For me, scenes of Saving Private Ryan were running through my head. Brett spotted a bunker down the beach so we went to check it out. He also went to visit Pont du Hoc. I was soaking by this point so I opted to stay in the car, but he saw tons of bunkers. 

We drove to Giverny and checked into our bed and breakfast. They greeted us with fresh apple juice from their garden, upgraded our room to the guest house suite and were the nicest people. The room was amazing. Whatever those people do, I hope to be that fortunate. We went the Monet house and gardens. Geraldine, you would love it. They plant for all seasons. We missed the water lilies though. The house also has the coolest stove. Pictures to come. 

Back to the bed and breakfast. The towels were massive, the shower you could dance like Elaine in and the pillows were plush. We loved this place. We followed them to dinner where they sent over champagne and an appetizer. The waitress brought over an English dictionary and went over the entire menu with us. Laughing and pointing at body parts to describe cuts of meat. She was great. We poured our wine in the stemless glasses that they use for water and then we got a lesson on picking a good wine and drinking it properly. I told her that we drink it stemless at home and she said it is because we are babies. Haha she was so sweet and was being helpful. We forget how much they value tradition and manners so we should have known better. Brett had lamb with mashed potatoes and a side of fries. They sure do love their potatoes. He claims it to be his best meal. The restaurant also gave us dessert on the house for our honeymoon. These people have been amazing. We talked about how we need to win the lottery so we can come here more often. I'm so pleased with our trip. 

Now time to plan the next one! 

Waiting on our delayed flight.... 

Have I mentioned how pretty this is?!

Our drive: so glad Brett was driving. Felt like 4th of July and we may or may not die. Brett might have been a little angrier at the fellow drivers than I remember my dad being, but we safely exited the terribleness that was the round about and off we went. The views and the castles and the really long tunnels were all an expierence. So glad Brett can drive a stick so we could do these last two days. 

Honfleur: adorable fishing village. It was rainy when we got there but the sky cleared up for us to walk around and started to rain again on the way back to the car. The restaurant owners kissed all the local patrons and the shops were full of charm. Tourists know about this place for sure, but I still loved it. Makes any person seem like a professional photographer. Brett had pizza with a runny egg on it. How European of him.

Mont St Michel: Huge!! And... The craziest part is that it was built as it stands today in the 11th century, with the exception of the tippy top of the Abby.  The site its self has been used since Roman times. We did the Rick Steve's tour, which we found to be the best of his tours, and wondered around this engineering marvel. I have a love for old, artistic, or an anyway unique doors as well as fireplaces and this place had no shortage. We learned that stone masons were paid by stone laid and therefore were numbered by each crew member. Some of these numbers are exposed due to a fire in the church. 

Our bed and breakfast: an English couple who lives in this farm house year round. The house was built in the 1700s. If they asked us to move in, we would. We were laughing about wanting an "old" house (1950s) and then the charm and character of this place just blows you away. Small doesn't begin to describe the town. Makes Bland look big. Will be a change from the hustle of Paris for sure. 

Onto Omaha beach and the American cemetery tomorrow. 

Night night 

Side note: I love the fluffy cows. Would be a great place to play that car game Brett made up. 

I will honk when I want to honk!

We have safely made it to Honfleur. We are going to grab some lunch, wander the adorable streets and be in our way to Mont St Michel.

Driving out of Paris this morning was quite the experience. Brett fit right in honking his horn at the annoying motorcycle people. Going around the Arc de Triomphe during rush hour was INSANE!! I took some pictures, but no lanes  and people going in all directions. More later off to explore.

j'adore Paris

Last night we went to the Eiffel Tower at dusk and watch the sun go down and the lights come on. The Eiffel slowly started to get brighter and brighter and at 9:00 it twinkled. Magical!!  We then headed back to our side of town for dinner. There is a Mexican place run by an American woman and a Mexican man that met and fell in love in Paris. The food was amazing.

This morning we went up Notre Dame tower. More stairs! The views were awesome and seeing the bell tower was cool. It was windy up on top so we went to brunch for some coffee to warm up. Another winner on restaurant picks. Make fun of me all you want for scoping our restaurants mom and Shelby, but I have done pretty good. It was called Claus if anybody plans to take a trip soon.

Then to the Louvre. We did the Denon and Sully wings. It is huge inside so who knows if we saw all of each, but we did Greek sculptures, Roman sculptures, Italian paintings (Mona Lisa and the Last Super) and Egyptian art. We saw a mummy in the Egyptian section. Kind if freaky. The crowds didn't bother me here. It is so big and people are respectful and quiet for the most part.

We went to find where we are to pick up our car in the morning and then a walk in the Tuileries gardens. Those chairs are so comfy. I want them for our house one of these days. Up to the Orangerie museum where we were encountered by our first scammer. She almost had Brett. It was please sign the...and then he quickly realized and walked right on by. He was disappointed that he hadn't seen somebody try since he did so much research on it... Karma I guess. Into the museum and we saw Monet Water Lillie's. Shelby, I want you to paint me a version. I love them!

We bought a daily metro pass today so we could make it quickly to all of our stops. On to Parc de Buttes. It was sunny and the scenery was incredible. Good last minute addition to the trip. We are pros at the metro now. We even read in between stops. Although we are the only ones with e readers so we still stand out.

Went to get a savory crepe. Holy macaroni that thing was yummy. Chocolate filled deliciousness. I walked through the streets with chocolate all over my face. We have eaten good for sure and even better, I am pretty sure I have still lost some weight from all this walking.

Time to pack and clean the apartment. On to Honfleur and Mont St. Michel tomorrow.

Making a list of things to do on our next trip! Love you love Paris!

Michelle and Brett