In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons. – Herodotus
Omaha Beach
Listening to Beethoven’s Fifth Sympathy as background music for opening scenes of The Longest Day is an appropriate introduction to what will be a week of museums and sites which tell the story of the longest day in the memories of thousands of men who survived the invasion of Normandy. June 6th, 1944 – the day when Evil witnessed the biggest Armada the world has ever known.
Every human being should recognize the significance of June 6, 1944. D-Day = “The Day.” June 5 was D-1, June 7 was D+1. June 6, 1944 was D-Day, a day that changed the course of history.
I admit, I am underwhelmed with the city of Caen. However, it’s an easy reach by train from Paris, it has some historical sites, one terrific museum, and is a good location from which to rent a car with which to explore Normandy. And, I should not be too critical. Post-War reconstruction of complete districts led to its urbanization and inevitable loss of historic Norman charm.
Walking Rouen has all the makings of meeting a fantastic, memorable city. It seems to have it all: history, architecture, parks, squares, cathedrals, and cafes. And brazen little sparrows who clean up you croissant crumbs while I enjoy a coffee. I am definitely putting Rouen on my list of favorite cities. There is much to see and do in this capital of the Normandy. And to hear: the bells of Rouen’s churches can be heard throughout the day.
Pacific Coast from Cambria’s Fiscalini Ranch Walk.
Cambria is equal distance between Los Angeles and San Francisco along beautifully scenic Highway One. It is small village of about 6600 residents and home to many artisans, wine makers, musicians, and surfer dudes. The primary economic source is tourism based largely on the fact that Cambria is located on the central coast of the beautiful Pacific and has dramatic rocky cliffs, beaches, and towering pines. Nearby sights include Hearst Castle, Nitt Witt Ridge, the Northern Elephant Seal Rockery, the southern end of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and an occasional whale passing through.
No one can visit Mexico City and not spend quality time with two of Mexico’s most famous personages and artists: Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
Cortés first settled and built his home within the neighborhood of Coyoacán. But is not Cortés which draws visitors, but the neighborhood’s most famous residents:
I follow travel blogs and podcasts enough to know there is little originality in lists.
For decades, I have wanted to visit Mexico City. Though I traveled several times to the Yucatan and along the west coast of Mexico, I never made it to the “big city.” I’ve had connecting flights at MEX, enough to realize its air quality ranked somewhere beneath LA in the best of times, or Beijing about any time. I had a week free this month, so I invited a friend to join me in a few day’s exploration.
So, though I generally eschew travel lists, here are the things I loved, and a couple I disliked, about Mexico City.
