Planes, trains and automobiles

Days: 0 (Mtl-Paris) & 1 (Paris-Caen)
Km travelled: 5,945.4km
Steps: 11,012 (over 2 days, however my tracker died on day 2!)
Modes of transportation: 4 (train, bus, plane, car)
Hours awake: approx 36!

September 7, 2017

After a very long day (or two?) spent in train stations, airports, planes, I finally landed in Paris on September 7th 2017. I was travelling with some friends for the first part which promised to make the transition from tourist to long-term traveller somewhat smoother.  We picked up their rental car and headed off towards our first stop: Normandy.  We didn’t let the jet lag nor the 2.5hr drive stop our sightseeing!  After checking into our hotels in the afternoon, we headed straight for the coast to visit the Canadian site of Juno Beach.  

Growing up in Canada, I feel well versed in Canada’s role during WWI & WWII.  I’ve read the books, seen the photos and viewed the movies.  However, none of that comes close to setting foot on those sacred grounds.  Normandy was a pivotal moment in Canadian history and I had long desired to visit.  We were too late in the day to go on the tour of the bunkers however we were able to visit the museum.  Not only do the exhibit focus on D-Day and the succeeding liberation of Normandy, it also showcased life in Canada at the time.  A moving video finishes off the exhibit.  Wandering around the grounds again, one monument stood out in particular to me.

Officers orders on D-Day (June 6th 1944)

It’s hard to take it all in.  How to begin to understand the scope of  such loss and devastating?  The mindset of soldiers, waiting to disembark, most of them to their death?  And the families left behind?  Waiting.  I’m a very proud Canadian on any average, however as we drove back to Caen, you can bet that the Canadian flag tattooed on my heart got a little bit bigger. 

Settling into bed that night, jet lagged and barely awake, all I can think about is: this was a great start to this crazy adventure of mine!  I wonder what tomorrow will bring…