voyage à Gimli

In September we loaded up my family van with French and German exchange students and headed to Gimli. Hightlights: me driving on the highway and not falling asleep, and the restaurant owner who leant us 6 bikes and a long board.

Hotdog art by Jéremy

 

Vachement Normandie: Caen & D-Day beaches

My friend Claire and I have been planning a trip to Normandy for a couple months and last week we finally made it. We couchsurfed with the Caen Couchsurfing ambassadors so naturally we had a great time in their beautiful home. Normandy also happens to be the Couchsurfing capital of France. Claire and I made it to Juno and Omaha beach and a bunch of war museums. The sights were stunning and very moving. Overall our days were very peaceful and reflective, and then we'd have a great night hanging out with our hosts, Nicolas and Amélie.

Juno beach

Omaha

The walk from Omaha beach up to the American cemetary... we felt a little lost but we got there in the end and the walk was beautiful. 

Our hosts lost their cat Obama last week but they found him the night before we arrived. Pauvre 'tit Obama!!! 

BBQ - Claire and I were ecstatic  

Ribs, sausages, wine, beer, calvados etc...

Funny cat. 

Our comfy comfy bed in their Napoleon home. It was right along le jardin des plantes, a big public garden. The building used to house the garden guards. 

Obama hanging out on his white house. The real Obama was actually in Caen while we were there, for the G8 summit.  Funny coincidence. 

This trip really reinforced how much I love couchsurfing. Our hosts were so generous and fun. We practiced so much French that I was talking to Claire in my sleep in French. Awesome!