Normandy {in the rain}
Of course today I woke up to sun streaming through my window, but that was anything but the case yesterday as my class ventured to Normandy for the day. However, it was a good reminder to never let weather deter you, and sometimes it adds to the experience (and adventure). We were visiting the D-Day sites to continue to look at the ideas of memory, history and monuments. Something in the fog and rain made the whole experience a bit more eerie, surreal, and . . . memorable.
The above images are from the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, just off Omaha Beach (there are great views to the sea when the wind and rain isn’t blowing your umbrella inside out). I highly recommend the visitor’s center there (my favorite exhibition regarding the events).
We had started our day with a trip to Le Memorial in Caen and drove to see a couple landing beaches.
Lindsey
June 11, 2010 at 7:55 am //
great shots! Even in the rain, Normandy is beautiful. Glad you enjoyed the day trip!
Hannah
June 11, 2010 at 2:22 pm //
I love the red umbrella shots, Anne!
Postcards and Coasters
June 11, 2010 at 3:36 pm //
Beautiful pictures! It’s a nice Memorial and interesting history.
jen laceda
June 11, 2010 at 5:10 pm //
I agree, those red umbrella shots are awesome. Was it accidentally on purpose? LOL.
Brigid :: FrenchLogic
June 11, 2010 at 6:38 pm //
rows of crosses, be it Arlington or Normandy, always choke me up. thanks for your lovely, soft pictures, the red umbrella is perfect!
Prêt à Voyager
June 14, 2010 at 8:14 am //
the red umbrellas were a bit accidental (2 of my classmates). i was attracted to the contrast, but seeing the images, the red seems highly symbolic. i wanted to take different pictures than what others were taking.
xo
anne
virginia
June 19, 2010 at 1:06 pm //
I first visited the D-Day beaches in 1965 (my family was living near Evreux-Fauville AFB), with an uncle who had been a medic in WWII. In January 2002, I returned to France for a much anticipated visit. I brought back beach stones, and leaves from the cemetery grounds, as souvenirs.
I hope you can arrange a visit to Chateau Gaillard for a picnic (not far from Paris and Rouen), and Mont St. Michel.