C’est fou!
Salut mes amis!
It has been difficult finding time to get to a computer and blog, but VOILA I found the time AND the internet cafe. Before we came to the internet cafe, the group had lunch at this ‘gyro’ restaurant. It feels so good to get a delicious hot meal after walking in the cold rain. It rains everyday here in Cherbourg even when it looks like it is going to be a lovely sunny day. I want to buy a really ornate parapluie-umbrella while I am here! We kicked off our excursions on Wednesday with the gardens-I will update you all with pictures and an actual name. The gardens were blooming with magnificent flowers. One of the students at the institution we are staying in told me that Cherbourg is underrated for its natural beauty. Also in the garden was a museum full of rare birds,insects,fish, and a mummy. It was like A Night at the Museum. Brittany screamed and ran just seeing a stuffed tarantula. After the excursion, Brittany and her french friends took a couple of us to the Centre- downtown part of the city. We had a blast and we had coffee in a renovated theater complete with plush red velvet couches. Apparently; it was where you could find the celebrities in Cherbourg dining or enjoying a drink. Thursday, we went to the art museum of Thomas Henry-musée d’art thomas-henry. The story goes, Thomas Henry was an art collector from the area and when he died he donated all his pieces so Cherbourg could have an art museum- a mini Louevre. The pieces were breath taking and there was a really cool exhibit about Hugo Pratt and his graphic novels. I am going back sometime this week. Yesterday, we had a full day and I will blog about that in detail when Im not on the expensive internet! We visited the D-Day cemetary and memorial museum. Then we saw the famous Bayeux Tapestry- a 230 ft. tapestry made by William the Conquerors wife-Mathilde. It shows 60 scenes mainly the war between the Normans and Saxons. They do not allow photos to be taken because it is such a fragile piece kept in a glass case- but I have a book about it if you wish to learn more. It was pretty cool- the display wrapped around the room and you get in line and receive a walkie talkie that describes each scene as you walk by. Afterwards we visited a gothic cathedral-built during Roman times!-the name escapes me probably because Im in such awe of its architectural beauty. Okay, I definately have to go now! This internet is crazy expensive and the sun is finally out! I am going to enjoy it while I can!!!