After that we had to wait a couple hours for the next train to Caen and then transfer to another train to take us to Bayeux which was the train station closest to Omaha beach. Once at the train station we learned that the buses didn't run on Sundays so we had to take a very very expensive taxi to get to the little piece of American land in France. Once there, we had to go through security to enter the American museum. It was nice to have all the inscriptions and videos in English. We were able to keep our bags behind the main desk (This was good since we had all our stuff from London with us) The museum had videos on different people who gave their lives during the battle, different displays of weapons and tools, timelines of the war and lots of historical information in general.
After looking around the museum we went out into the area with the cemetery and the monuments. At the end of the cemetery there are two statues: one which represents France and one which represents the US. At the other end is the main monument built in honor of all those who died. It is surrounded by a wall which has names written all along it.
In the center of the cemetery is a chapel. Other than that it is all green grass, white crosses and american flags. It was a beautifully sad thing to see.
After looking around the museum we went out into the area with the cemetery and the monuments. At the end of the cemetery there are two statues: one which represents France and one which represents the US. At the other end is the main monument built in honor of all those who died. It is surrounded by a wall which has names written all along it.
Next we walked down to the beach. Omaha beach is absolutely beautiful! It doesn't look like a place of such death and destruction.
We walked along the beach to a small town nearby to eat some dinner. We had just finished when we realized that it was five o'clock and the museum was closing and our stuff was still inside. We BOLTED down the beach and through the marshes up to the museum. When we got there, there was still a guard inside and we waved at him and were lucky enough to get our stuff back. I wish I would have had more time there to explore the area. Everything was so green and beautiful!
After Normandy it was another night train home. I arrived at my house in Pau at 7:30 and had an exam at 11. I still haven't quite recovered!
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