Last Day and Evening in France

This is the view from our stateroom. I'm sitting on the bed, looking at the Seine River

Yes. Today's our last day. We've been very busy each day and I'll try to summarize some of our trip briefly.

This is Sunday. We opted to stay here in a suburb of Paris called Le Pecq. One of the things we've enjoyed the most during our stay is leaving our ship and walking through the small French villages. This morning we walked up, up, up to the top where the old beautiful buildings as well as the terrace of King Henry IV (I think) was located. We walked another direction, saw a church and decided to go in and the service was just beginning. The building was full, we believe because today is All Saints Day and there were more in attendance. There were people young and old.Those in wheel chairs, babies in strollers,  and parents trying to keep their toddlers close by. The sanctuary was very full and we were directed to walk to the front and around the altar area to sit. While there, we could watch the altar boys perform their tasks. Some of the altar boys were as young as six years old, as well as young teens serving. Jim whispered to me what they were doing as he remembered from being an altar boy many years before. The service was in French, but I enjoyed watching and thinking about the common thread of our Christianity. 

The back of the church

Yesterday, Saturday, we went to the Louvre. I had to pinch myself to believe I was standing in front of these masterpieces. We had an excellent guide who spoke very understandable English. I will show you some of the greatest and most famous pieces of art:

Venus de Milo

The Wedding at Cana--the miracle of Christ changing the water to wine

Yes, this is the Mona Lisa

Winged Victory of Simothrace

On Friday, we visited the beaches of Normandy, and the American Cemetery. This was very moving to see all of the white crosses and Star of Davids. There were nearly 9400 service people buried here. I'm  glad we visited the Eisenhower Library only two weeks earlier, for we had a much better history of that momentous event that took place on June 6, 1944. There was a ceremony before we walked among the crosses. They played the national anthem, taps were sounded, and then there was a moment of silence. Those who had served in the Armed Forces were asked to come forward to near the statue honoring the Americans. We applauded them as they humbly accepted our appreciation for their service.  We then were each given a rose to place by a grave. We chose to lay our roses by a grave from Oregon and Washington respectively. 

 Pvt. Robert F. Umscheid of Oregon

Cpl. Richard W. Stork, Washington

127.5 acres in this cemetery

We walked Omaha Beach. Jim picked up a handful of sand from that beach. We felt honored to be here on this hallowed ground. I'll write more later about this place. 

Omaha Beach

There's so much more to tell, and I will. Right now, I want to enjoy my last full day in France, near Paris. The weather is glorious and has been the whole week we've been here. The food has been outstandingly wonderful. We've enjoyed meeting many different and interesting people. 

To close, I'll post a few pics of food. 

Top and bottom food before our visit to Omaha Beach. The food only so-so.

Very good chocolate mousse

Yes, Frogs Legs (Dick ordered them)

I will close for now. I may take a nap, for tomorrow will be a long day. A ten hour flight, then the drive back home from Seattle. I'll write more when the internet is faster. We ask for your prayers for safe travels. 

For now, Bon jour!!